I am now a Beekeeper!!
Discussion
monoloco said:
... that's why they came up with the idea of the BS-National Hive etc. The national isn't perfect but it is more than likely to be compatible with most other beekeepers in the area so you can borrow/swap kit in an emergency ...
I think it depends on what part of the country you're in. Nationals are too small "darn sarf" where the season is longer so the bees run out of space and swarm. You can do "brood and a half" but that's awkward. Round here (Hampshire) the majority seems to use Langstroth jumbos - that's what we went with and don't regret it.Nimby said:
I think it depends on what part of the country you're in. Nationals are too small "darn sarf" where the season is longer so the bees run out of space and swarm. You can do "brood and a half" but that's awkward. Round here (Hampshire) the majority seems to use Langstroth jumbos - that's what we went with and don't regret it.
I'm in Bedfordshire so not exactly frozen wastes of the north but I'll agree National can be a bit small so I use the 14x12 'National Extra Deep'-everything is compatible with the standard national except for the extra deep brood box and I've never run out of space with it. Langstroth still falls into my 'standard kit' category though as its fairly mainstream. I know a couple of people who tried the plastic egloo hive (cant recall what thats called exactly) and top bar hives etc and they junked them pretty quickly and went for nationals etc. Think the flow hives will go the same way -there'll be lots of then on Fleabay within a season or two!Here's a good beginners guide: https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Keeping-Bees-Gree...
For you local association look here: http://www.wbka.com/associations/
For you local association look here: http://www.wbka.com/associations/
Jambo85 said:
Well OP do you have some inmates for your hive yet!?
I acquired a pair of nucs last weekend and will be looking to hive them tomorrow into my National hives (with WBC style stand and roofs so they look pretty).
Unfortunately the newly seeded lawn has taken longer than anticipated. I daren't have ordered a nuc without knowing the hive would be in place and may be too late for this season? Truth be told I'm getting cold feet as well and may hold off until I can get booked in for some training.I acquired a pair of nucs last weekend and will be looking to hive them tomorrow into my National hives (with WBC style stand and roofs so they look pretty).
I'll take a look at availability and make a decision in the next week or two.
Grumpy and Jambo - where did you get your bees from? Over wintered or not?
Edited by dickymint on Saturday 6th May 23:45
dickymint said:
Unfortunately the newly seeded lawn has taken longer than anticipated. I daren't have ordered a nuc without knowing the hive would be in place and may be too late for this season? Truth be told I'm getting cold feet as well and may hold off until I can get booked in for some training.
I'll take a look at availability and make a decision in the next week or two.
Grumpy and Jambo - where did you get your bees from? Over wintered or not?
Mine were overwintered, from Murray McGregor near Coupar Angus. I'll take a look at availability and make a decision in the next week or two.
Grumpy and Jambo - where did you get your bees from? Over wintered or not?
Edited by dickymint on Saturday 6th May 23:45
Do you have someone who can mentor you? I've been getting a lot of help through my local association which is invaluable - although my bees are pretty friendly it's still a bit intimidating when ten thousand of them are buzzing around you while you faff about clumsily with their nest!
monoloco said:
I'm in Bedfordshire so not exactly frozen wastes of the north but I'll agree National can be a bit small so I use the 14x12 'National Extra Deep'-everything is compatible with the standard national except for the extra deep brood box and I've never run out of space with it. Langstroth still falls into my 'standard kit' category though as its fairly mainstream. I know a couple of people who tried the plastic egloo hive (cant recall what thats called exactly) and top bar hives etc and they junked them pretty quickly and went for nationals etc. Think the flow hives will go the same way -there'll be lots of then on Fleabay within a season or two!
What's the issue with top bar hives? We were thinking of getting one as there are loads of badgers here and they destroyed a small wild bee hive we got. I figured a top bar hive would be harder for them to get into.
Jambo85 said:
Swarm must have been amazing to see! Do you mean you have bees living in your chimney!?
It was - and very loud also! When they were swarming/flying, the noise was incredible but once they settled it all went quiet. Then, some 30-60 minutes later we heard the nose again and saw them all up in the air.Ref the chimney, yes! We have 2 chimney stacks on our house, one with 4 pots and one with 2. When we bought (summer 2015) there were bees in 2 of the 4 pots (hall and dining room) and lots of dead bees in the fireplaces! They have since gone/been cleared out but we still have bees in one of the 2 pots. The 2 pots feed the main bedroom and the lounge. The lounge has a wood burner and so is used, but the bedroom chimney is bricked up on the inside and they've been in this chimney since we moved in. It's possible that, due to the wood burner keeping the 'stack' warm in the winter, that they've managed to survive as they'd usually die out after 1 or 2 years (so we are told).
Edited by S6PNJ on Sunday 7th May 21:57
Videos this time!
1st video is the swarm in flight as they try and decide where to go and who to follow. Seem y little camera microphone wasn't as good at recording the sound as I'd hoped but it was VERY loud!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ul-0t7YTto
2nd video is when they first set down in a bramble hedge just on our boundary. I could get within about 4 feet before losing my bottle and going any closer!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUHqdBoARVo
3rd video is when they settled in our Maple tree in our back garden. They initially settled in 2 swarms, a big one and a small one bu then finalised on the small one to make it a full big one as shown on the clip. They then flew from here, much higher up and into one of our old oak trees where they settled before flying off again, all within earshot but out of eye shot!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysoFTbOcdBE
1st video is the swarm in flight as they try and decide where to go and who to follow. Seem y little camera microphone wasn't as good at recording the sound as I'd hoped but it was VERY loud!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ul-0t7YTto
2nd video is when they first set down in a bramble hedge just on our boundary. I could get within about 4 feet before losing my bottle and going any closer!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUHqdBoARVo
3rd video is when they settled in our Maple tree in our back garden. They initially settled in 2 swarms, a big one and a small one bu then finalised on the small one to make it a full big one as shown on the clip. They then flew from here, much higher up and into one of our old oak trees where they settled before flying off again, all within earshot but out of eye shot!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysoFTbOcdBE
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