Sally's GF3 thread

[Sally PB]

So, with maybe a positive outcome on that bee hive,, do you think you need more bee housing on hand??
Meaning,, have an empty hive available when overcrowding happens?

You need a queen if you start a new hive. You can actually buy mated queens! They're about $65-80. Yes, for a bug.

What we would do is add another box on top of the stack. This is called "supering." The box for honey ("honey super") had what is called a "queen excluder" underneath it so that the queen (who is slightly bigger) can't get up there and lay eggs. You don't want brood in with the honey.

We do have another box and frames, so we're set for that.

 

[Sally PB]

The problem with all the rest of our boxes/frames is that the frames are new. This means that there is no comb on them. Bees spend a LOT of energy drawing out comb. There's a phrase among beekeepers: The queen is the queen, but comb is king.

If you have frames with drawn comb, the bees can get right to work making honey or rearing brood.

 

[cavemanrich]

They're about $65-80. Yes, for a bug.

That does sound pricey. I will ask my neighbor when I will see him. He keeps bees still......... I think
This was a couple years ago,,, but told me he was paying a Double Saw or less for his queens. Not sure of the variety,, but they made honey,,, (the workers of course)