Bees

[user 7704]

Maybe today's just not going to be a good day for this. They have their frames, they have their quart from yesterday, let them go. Will tomorrow be better? They're not going to starve for 1 day without extra food.

A side note this is one reason I like larger feeders. A gallon will definitely keep them busy for a day, sometimes a few days.

Don't just use your judgement, call your mentor & get his opinion as a local BK.

Tomorrow chances are down to 40%

 

[TexasFreedom]

Robin, definitely time to call the local mentor. I don't know your region, I don't know how they will respond in your weather, and he will have all that experience & knowledge to give you the best answer.

 

[user 7704]

Robin, definitely time to call the local mentor. I don't know your region, I don't know how they will respond in your weather, and he will have all that experience & knowledge to give you the best answer.[/QUOT


We had about 3 hours of sun. I went and got my son early because we are having storms come in soon.

I went down to the hives and there were quite a few with big yellow saddlebags so they were out having fun for a while. I wish I had my camera.

 

[TexasFreedom]

Robin,
I've warned you, your hobby will outgrow and consume you!

Those 'saddlebags' are pollen. They have a special pocket in the rear legs to hold it. Your season is still early, you start with pollen coming first and nectar follows it a few weeks later.

Soon enough you will have 200 pictures of bees on your smart phone. When you see friends, you'll start scrolling through the pictures showing them individual bees & the hive & their feeder & the landing ramp & & &... Your friends will start avoiding you and quietly talk about how you've lost your mind for sure this time (behind your back). You won't care. You find yourself just sitting there watching them come and go.

Are you sure that this is what you want? (the answer is yes) You have a problem, and you will think that it is that you don't have enough BK equipment.

 

[user 7704]

Robin,
I've warned you, your hobby will outgrow and consume you!

Those 'saddlebags' are pollen. They have a special pocket in the rear legs to hold it. Your season is still early, you start with pollen coming first and nectar follows it a few weeks later.

Soon enough you will have 200 pictures of bees on your smart phone. When you see friends, you'll start scrolling through the pictures showing them individual bees & the hive & their feeder & the landing ramp & & &... Your friends will start avoiding you and quietly talk about how you've lost your mind for sure this time (behind your back). You won't care. You find yourself just sitting there watching them come and go.

Are you sure that this is what you want? (the answer is yes) You have a problem, and you will think that it is that you don't have enough BK equipment.

I hit the "crazy" woman part when I first got chickens. I'm glad I got rid of my facebook.

 

[TexasFreedom]

I hit the "crazy" woman part when I first got chickens. I'm glad I got rid of my facebook.

Why do I think it way pre-dates that? It's like saying I found out I am pregnant yesterday, but haven't been with anyone for 90 days...

My wife has a sign: "Insanity does not run in our family. It walks with us, getting to know each person intimately".

Enjoy your walk!

 

[user 7704]

Why do I think it way pre-dates that? It's like saying I found out I am pregnant yesterday, but haven't been with anyone for 90 days...

My wife has a sign: "Insanity does not run in our family. It walks with us, getting to know each person intimately".

Enjoy your walk!

I'm the youngest of 8 and the only girl. Imagine growing up in that. My brothers were all hard living, whore hounds who turned me against dating. Can you imagine a guy coming to my house. They had to have a warped sense of humor.

 

[TexasFreedom]

"Insanity does not run in our family. It walks with us, getting to know each person intimately".

I'm the youngest of 8 and the only girl. Imagine growing up in that. My brothers were all hard living, whore hounds who turned me against dating. Can you imagine a guy coming to my house. They had to have a warped sense of humor.

Yeah, yeah, yeah...
It's so cute that you have the full story to explain "why"... so cute!

I think large families can really help. The parents have no ability to really care for & raise that many kids. The kids really learn responsibility and truly what it means to be a 'family'. I know a couple, each had 14 siblings. Their (now adult) kids talk about what it is like to have 100 first cousins. One hundred first cousins, the kids of your parents siblings. Imagine that. Imagine the grandparent's birthday parties! Likely had to spread them over a few days just to see everyone! And no worries about left-overs...

 

[Mountain trapper]

Last Friday I met a commercial bee keeper at the local farm supply store about 60 miles south of here. Him and his wife have around 1400 hives. They were very helpful and took the time to answer my questions. Anyway, I ended up buying 2 nucs from them and will pick them up on Monday.

 

[user 7704]

Last Friday I met a commercial bee keeper at the local farm supply store about 60 miles south of here. Him and his wife have around 1400 hives. They were very helpful and took the time to answer my questions. Anyway, I ended up buying 2 nucs from them and will pick them up on Monday.

Good, the nucs give you a head start. You get them on frames that have they already been for weeks. With the package, you start from scratch. Good luck.

I opened mine Sunday (one week mark) and found both queens. Mine were marked. Made it much easier for me. . Actually, one was partially covered and I couldn't see the paint and was able to find it in the mob. They are actually a slightly different color.

Mine have barely started working the extra frames I added to the nuc. My mentor said that was normal.

What's really hard is wearing a veil, holding a full frame and taking pictures at the same time. I don't have a suit. I just had on 3 layers. That's probably why I was sweating. I usually dont get nervous.

 

[TexasFreedom]

AD,
Only 60 miles away? Isn't that just down the street in Alaska!

Robin, no suit! Ugh! having the right equipment really does make a big difference. Be careful, as summer heat comes, don't overheat yourself. Heat stress is no laughing matter, it took me about a year to recover last time I had it. And stop trying to do everything. Set down the camera, there will be plenty of time later to take pics. Go in, check what you need to check, and close up the hive. If you want, put your phone to record video & put it in a front pocket poking out. You can pull pictures from the video later. Doing too much will lead to mistakes, and a beginner does not need help making mistakes!
But good job. Queens are there, colonies are growing. Well done. Make sure they have enough food to support their growth (again ask your local mentor for recommendations). Note not to over-feed them, you don't want them putting sugar-water into comb where the queen was going to lay eggs.

 

[user 7704]

AD,
Only 60 miles away? Isn't that just down the street in Alaska!

Robin, no suit! Ugh! having the right equipment really does make a big difference. Be careful, as summer heat comes, don't overheat yourself. Heat stress is no laughing matter, it took me about a year to recover last time I had it. And stop trying to do everything. Set down the camera, there will be plenty of time later to take pics. Go in, check what you need to check, and close up the hive. If you want, put your phone to record video & put it in a front pocket poking out. You can pull pictures from the video later. Doing too much will lead to mistakes, and a beginner does not need help making mistakes!
But good job. Queens are there, colonies are growing. Well done. Make sure they have enough food to support their growth (again ask your local mentor for recommendations). Note not to over-feed them, you don't want them putting sugar-water into comb where the queen was going to lay eggs.

My mentor has been great. When I couldn't find the queen at first, that's why I took the pictures. I wanted to see if he saw her. He described her and I was able to find her with her spot covered. I also had some comb that was not on the wax but below it and I wanted to get his take on it. I thought it was queen cells, but it wasn't.

That's the only reason I was taking pictures. Wanted to make sure all was going great. I watch them in the evenings and they are finding lots of pollen. I have honeysuckle, money plant, flax and clover in bloom now.

I've been planting flowers which I usually don't do. I have perennials and veggies mostly, but I'm going to give them variety.

 

[TexasFreedom]

People who 'plant for their bees' do give me a chuckle. I only ask "how many square miles of land do you have?". I get a funny look, and I just say that you know the bees go out 3-5 miles for their hunting zone? 1/4 acre covered in flowers is like eating one potato chip. 10 acres covered is a nice meal or two.

But, if you have fun doing it, it gives you a chance to watch your bees eating, then it's worth it.

 

[Mountain trapper]

AD,
Only 60 miles away? Isn't that just down the street in Alaska!

Robin, no suit! Ugh! having the right equipment really does make a big difference. Be careful, as summer heat comes, don't overheat yourself. Heat stress is no laughing matter, it took me about a year to recover last time I had it. And stop trying to do everything. Set down the camera, there will be plenty of time later to take pics. Go in, check what you need to check, and close up the hive. If you want, put your phone to record video & put it in a front pocket poking out. You can pull pictures from the video later. Doing too much will lead to mistakes, and a beginner does not need help making mistakes!
But good job. Queens are there, colonies are growing. Well done. Make sure they have enough food to support their growth (again ask your local mentor for recommendations). Note not to over-feed them, you don't want them putting sugar-water into comb where the queen was going to lay eggs.

Actually Tex I moved down south permanently a couple years ago. The wife however still spends about 7 months a year in Alaska. I'm actually closer to....gulp, Texas now than I am to Alaska. Heck, we're practically neighbors. It is taking a little getting used to being in these small states where it only takes a few hours to drive across.

Am I going to need a full bee suit? I have a funny looking hard hat, veil and gloves. I thought I'd tape my pants legs and sleeves shut to keep the little buggers out. And carry a can of Raid in my back pocket.

 

[TexasFreedom]

And carry a can of Raid in my back pocket.

Oh dear. OK, lose the raid. That's like carrying a stick to poke a bear if you get too close. The raid will only make them more mad, maybe kill 100 bees, leaving the next 10k lining up extra angry & ready to sting you. Gulp on that thought!

In terms of needing a suit, talk to your local mentor. Talk with the guy selling the bees. If they think you don't need a suit, that will suffice. Keep in mind, down here nearly every wild colony is partially africanized. So they are extra aggressive. But that is here, I don't know they are up by you.

 

[user 7704]

Arctic. Man, I thought you were in Alaska. So it's still snowing? Wanna play 20 questions? Just kidding

 

[Mountain trapper]

Got the second hive put together and painted today. I'll pick up two nucs tomorrow morning.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Arctic. Man, I thought you were in Alaska. So it's still snowing? Wanna play 20 questions? Just kidding

We moved down to the lower 48 a couple years ago. Well I moved down permanently anyway. The wife still spends 7-8 months a year in Alaska. We've owned this property for a number of years, plus my parents live in the area. At our location and elevation we can have snow just about any time of the year. Over the years, while rare, August is the only month that I haven't seen snow here.

 

[user 7704]

Got the second hive put together and painted today. I'll pick up two nucs tomorrow morning.

I thought I would see bees all over the property, but I have to search to find any on the flowers. My neighbor has been watching for them on his clover and he doesn't see them.

I go to the hives and they land with their saddlebags full of pollen. I know they are out foraging somewhere.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Got the bees yesterday and put them in the hives. It was an easier process than I thought. I walked down to check on the hives this morning and the bees are still there doing what bees do.

 

[user 7704]

Got the bees yesterday and put them in the hives. It was an easier process than I thought. I walked down to check on the hives this morning and the bees are still there doing what bees do.

I need to do a full hive inspection. I'm thinking Sunday. It may be time for second deep. The sugar water will not be refilled.

My mentor said to add some livestock salt lick to their water so that they can bring the smell back to hive and the others will know where to find water. But, not too much.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I need to do a full hive inspection. I'm thinking Sunday. It may be time for second deep. The sugar water will not be refilled.

My mentor said to add some livestock salt lick to their water so that they can bring the smell back to hive and the others will know where to find water. But, not too much.

The bee guy told me to add the second brood box next week. That will be the first time I'll open the hive. I don't think I'll need to refill the sugar water.
I put a frost free hydrant and water trough about 50 feet from the hives. I put board in the water so the bees could land on it and drink without drowning. Me and the mutt just walked down and watched several bees drinking.

 

[user 7704]

The bee guy told me to add the second brood box next week. That will be the first time I'll open the hive. I don't think I'll need to refill the sugar water.
I put a frost free hydrant and water trough about 50 feet from the hives. I put board in the water so the bees could land on it and drink without drowning. Me and the mutt just walked down and watched several bees drinking.

A quart lasted my hive about 3 days. But, the flow is on here so he said to stop. I hung a chicken waterer, 5 quart, on a nearby tree and added some socks so they have a place to land.

 

[user 7704]

A quart lasted my hive about 3 days. But, the flow is on here so he said to stop. I hung a chicken waterer, 5 quart, on a nearby tree and added some socks so they have a place to land.

Also, I was told to add the deep when 8 of the 10 frames were being worked.

TEX needs to weigh in on this. Lol

 

[TexasFreedom]

Hi Robin & AD,

Sorry, some unexpected travelling. It sounds like you're both doing well. Listen to your mentors. If they say the flow is on by you and to stop feeding, listen to the advice.

I'm chuckling... 3 days for a quart? It's not uncommon for me to bring home a cutout and they'll suck down a gallon in a day. Another gallon in 1-2 days more. But bees around here know to take an opportunity when it arises, for a drought is just around the corner. But if it's cooler, they'll take it more slowly.

Have extra boxes at the ready. When they are ready, they won't wait for you to order another box, they'll start building comb everywhere you don't want it.

 

[user 7704]

I just did an inspection and found both queens. Yay. The big pink dots helped.

The had work 8 frames so I put on the upper deep. Now I have to worry about when to put on the honey super.

I am proud though, I still haven' been stung. I just jinxed myself.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I checked on the bees around noon today. The temp was 42 degrees so the bees weren't too active, just a few flying in and out of the hives. I did notice a few dead bees just outside their entrance. Is that normal, are they just cleaning house?

Pic of the bee "yard". Lots of room for expansion. Not much to look at right now. Just need to get a high powered solar fence charger to keep the bears out.

 

[user 7704]

I've heard that they do clean, but I've only seen one dead bee and that was because I smashed it with the lid.

 

[user 7704]

I checked on the bees around noon today. The temp was 42 degrees so the bees weren't too active, just a few flying in and out of the hives. I did notice a few dead bees just outside their entrance. Is that normal, are they just cleaning house?

Pic of the bee "yard". Lots of room for expansion. Not much to look at right now. Just need to get a high powered solar fence charger to keep the bears out.

View attachment 8711

That looks great. Mine is nothing that cool

 

[TexasFreedom]

Nice job AD.

A couple of notes. you might run 24 or 36" chicken wire around the bottom. If you have skunks, they can decimate a hive.

And why is one hive shorter than the other? Both have 2 deeps, good. One has a migratory top & the other a telescoping. You might want to put a brick on top of each hive (wind will knock them over).

And are they facing opposite directions? That will make working the hives more difficult, you want to work from behind the hive and one will always be aiming at you. This is a region thing, I know up north people cluster hives in winter to conserve some heat, so maybe that arrangement works up there. I like a few feet between my hives, then I don't accidently bump one hive when working another. But then my girls have serious anger issues... seriously serious.

I'm not criticizing, I'm just offering a few little details.

Robin, a few dead bees outside the entrance is no big deal. The workers drag out the dead. Usually they drop them off the ledge, but sometimes they're lazy & let the wind finish the job. If you see dozens and dozens, that's a problem.