The Wally-Gee Bee Journey 🐝

[WallyG74]

I remember that video. This could be the better option, I wouldn't lose any drawn comb. The NUC box is one of those corrugated plastic things which I don't even like to touch Thanks WalleyG74 for jogging this ol' mind?

Even as a new beekeeper I have a hard time liking those plastic boxes

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Even as a new beekeeper I have a hard time liking those plastic boxes

Even worse is a plastic hive, WTH. Hey, wood works so let's fix it. Same ol', same ol'. Haven't seen a better mouse trap yet.

https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/Images/Original/5127_35825_p1.jpg

 

[Apis mellifera]

When helping new bees install nucs and I find low population, mite infestations, drone layers, undrawn frames, DWV, and all the bad stuff, I tell them to get their money back or exchange for another nuc. Don't let them start out bad, tell the truth. I don't care for the corrugated jester nucs either, the pro nucs are pretty good. But they are all just meant to be temporary and for shipping.

 

[WallyG74]

Bees are doing the bee dance! It makes me smile to see them do that. That says strong colony to me. The true meaning may remain a mystery, but I think they’re telling me they are happy!

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Bees are doing the bee dance! It makes me smile to see them do that. That says strong colony to me. The true meaning may remain a mystery, but I think they’re telling me they are happy!

The Holly is in bloom and alive with bees. Added another medium to the 2 established hives for a total of 2 mediums on each and a deep to the split which has exploded and is completely drawn in the bottom box. Still feeding honey and syrup to the split although they are slowing down on that. The swarm I recovered I gave to the couple we are helping out due to their weak NUC. I've changed my mind, I think I'll be taking some spring honey from the stronger 2.

 

[WallyG74]

Yes, holly is blooming like crazy here too! Really everything is blooming except for the really early stuff. Red maple, privet, etc. Tallow will be out before ya know it.

 

[WallyG74]

I did a quick check this past Saturday. The new deeps I added on both hives have 4 good, fat drawn frames and they are working on the other 5 fast and furious. If they can continue this pace the deep supers will be full or close to it by end of June. I know it sounds like I’m counting my chickens before they hatch, but it’s really more of an “if this, then that” kind of thing. We should easily surpass 10 gallons of honey this year.

 

[Sally PB]

Where does everyone process their honey?

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Where does everyone process their honey?

Since we cut way back on chickens I took our 10x20 coop and made a 10x12 honey room that had south and west facing windows. Sanitized, bug and vermin tight. Paneled with 1/4" underlayment and painted bright white. Box/frame assembly, extracting/bottling and room for extra hives, bottom boards, etc. 30x36 wall cabinet for tools and miscellaneous items. Since I work alone there's more room than I need to move around. Sometimes DW will do the bottling as I extract and still ample room. No more than 30 ft from the hives. Only material we had to purchase, underlayment and paint.

 

[Sally PB]

We're hoping we (finally!) get some honey this year. I keep hearing at the bee club meetings about the horrors of processing honey in the kitchen. Honey. Everywhere.

But we don't really have any other place that would have all the useful things that a kitchen has. Flat spaces to put things on. Hot water. Electricity.

I think we're going to do it in the kitchen, and just cover as much as possible with plastic.

Any tips and tricks?