I am now a Beekeeper!!
Discussion
Jambo85 said:
Amazing. It is surprising that they are surviving as everything I have read suggests they basically can't survive without us these days due to varroa.
It would be quite amazing to see inside your chimney!
Hi Jambo,It would be quite amazing to see inside your chimney!
I;d forgotten about this thread until the OP posted his update! We took our chimney down (removed it totally) back in April and sadly had to take the bees out. They've gone to a good home and are in a new hive and, by all accounts, doing very well. Hopefully we might be able to get some back when we get our hive(s) in another 1-2 years time (when we have time to set up and do it properly!).
So, onto the photos!
First sight of their hive, once a small bit of flashing was removed.
Chimney pot removed and the first sight of the actual hive.
More bricks removed, more hive in sight.
It was 7 'combs(?)' wide, completely filling the chimney space (chimney not in use).
Some of the honey - the bee keeper took this to feed the bees, we didn't save any so didn't get chance to taste it.
And still the bee hive went on and on - I think it went down about 15 (imperial) bricks in the end!
Oh, and the chimney in question! The bees were in the left hand pot, the right hand pot went to our lounge and was used most Fri/Sat/Sun evenings over the colder months.
S6PNJ said:
Hi Jambo,
I;d forgotten about this thread until the OP posted his update! We took our chimney down (removed it totally) back in April and sadly had to take the bees out. They've gone to a good home and are in a new hive and, by all accounts, doing very well.
Superb, great to see! Judging by the colour of the comb they had been there a while!I;d forgotten about this thread until the OP posted his update! We took our chimney down (removed it totally) back in April and sadly had to take the bees out. They've gone to a good home and are in a new hive and, by all accounts, doing very well.
Well that was a great morning at the taster session. Nine of us turned up, all with zero experience, out of fourteen that booked.
It was a real eye opener and I have to admit quite a shock to be amongst thousands of angry Bees (I think the instructor did this on purpose).
We were told that the whole idea of the session was basically to sort out who was "up for it" as opposed to the dreamers! I can certainly understand why they have a large fall out rate for those that actually go onto the course proper.
Due to constraints of available facilities Gwent Beekeepers CIO have to limit their beginners course to only 25 places per year!! They say they could easily double that. Looking forward though, they have acquired their own land and are well on the way to building their own apiary so that everything can be done at one venue.
So as it stands the course proper is on a first come first served basis when the emails are sent out in January. The criteria being you must have attended a taster session, must be a member of The Gwent Beekeepers Association for 2020 and pay the fee of £125
The course consists of 6 classroom and 8 apiary sessions (1 a week).
Was news to me and an added bonus that the £125 fee includes a full nucleus of bees along with a queen for those that "pass" and are felt competent enough to start up their own hive/s. now that in my book is exceptional value for money.
Took a quick vid..........................
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMpKpne5T68
It was a real eye opener and I have to admit quite a shock to be amongst thousands of angry Bees (I think the instructor did this on purpose).
We were told that the whole idea of the session was basically to sort out who was "up for it" as opposed to the dreamers! I can certainly understand why they have a large fall out rate for those that actually go onto the course proper.
Due to constraints of available facilities Gwent Beekeepers CIO have to limit their beginners course to only 25 places per year!! They say they could easily double that. Looking forward though, they have acquired their own land and are well on the way to building their own apiary so that everything can be done at one venue.
So as it stands the course proper is on a first come first served basis when the emails are sent out in January. The criteria being you must have attended a taster session, must be a member of The Gwent Beekeepers Association for 2020 and pay the fee of £125
The course consists of 6 classroom and 8 apiary sessions (1 a week).
Was news to me and an added bonus that the £125 fee includes a full nucleus of bees along with a queen for those that "pass" and are felt competent enough to start up their own hive/s. now that in my book is exceptional value for money.
Took a quick vid..........................
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMpKpne5T68
That's tremendous value for money!
On my course, the majority of the hives we looked at (all used for breeding and selling, not honey) were all very calm and we'll behaved. But the instructor made a point of showing us an aggressive colony that even the inspector had found particularly troublesome. They didn't do us any harm, but they were much louder and onto our suits very quickly.
On my course, the majority of the hives we looked at (all used for breeding and selling, not honey) were all very calm and we'll behaved. But the instructor made a point of showing us an aggressive colony that even the inspector had found particularly troublesome. They didn't do us any harm, but they were much louder and onto our suits very quickly.
Evanivitch said:
That's tremendous value for money!
On my course, the majority of the hives we looked at (all used for breeding and selling, not honey) were all very calm and we'll behaved. But the instructor made a point of showing us an aggressive colony that even the inspector had found particularly troublesome. They didn't do us any harm, but they were much louder and onto our suits very quickly.
Yep that's the feeling - i'm sure it was done as a bit of a test. Instructor even got stung three times before he put his veil and gloves on and took great pride in showing us that the one sting (minus the bee) was still pumping!! On my course, the majority of the hives we looked at (all used for breeding and selling, not honey) were all very calm and we'll behaved. But the instructor made a point of showing us an aggressive colony that even the inspector had found particularly troublesome. They didn't do us any harm, but they were much louder and onto our suits very quickly.
Finally after 3 years the fun begins..................
I tactfully broached the subject of Flowhives knowing there is a lot of negativity from "the old scool". I wasn't wrong but thought it best not t get into debate........yet
The head tutor though is very approachable and forward thinker - he insists that there is no right or wrong way of doing things on all aspects as long as the bees welfare is looked after. I think I will have his full support.
You may have guessed by now that although Wifey bought me a WBC Hive three years ago for my surprise birthday present I've made my mind up to go with (the) Flow. I may sell the WBC or may run both (i'm told that it makes sense to have more than one hive at the outset anyway). I've watched many hours of videos for and against the debate with an open mind and my feeling it's perfectly doable in the UK. I'm an engineer so there are no problems only opportunities
Would love your input guidance and help
Now it's time to sort out my garden, put up a shed and base for hives.
Edit: another bonus - the venue has been changed to a hall between my local and my house which is on my way home about a 3 minute stroll.
first then.
I tactfully broached the subject of Flowhives knowing there is a lot of negativity from "the old scool". I wasn't wrong but thought it best not t get into debate........yet
The head tutor though is very approachable and forward thinker - he insists that there is no right or wrong way of doing things on all aspects as long as the bees welfare is looked after. I think I will have his full support.
You may have guessed by now that although Wifey bought me a WBC Hive three years ago for my surprise birthday present I've made my mind up to go with (the) Flow. I may sell the WBC or may run both (i'm told that it makes sense to have more than one hive at the outset anyway). I've watched many hours of videos for and against the debate with an open mind and my feeling it's perfectly doable in the UK. I'm an engineer so there are no problems only opportunities
Would love your input guidance and help
Now it's time to sort out my garden, put up a shed and base for hives.
Edit: another bonus - the venue has been changed to a hall between my local and my house which is on my way home about a 3 minute stroll.
first then.Edited by dickymint on Sunday 23 February 10:21
I'll stand by my previous comments about Flow Hives -nice idea but utterly impractical in the UK as most English honey has a strong tendency to granulate (set hard) and anything with even a hint of Oil Seed Rape sets like concrete while still in the comb so its never going to flow out in a month of Sundays. If you get any OSR within three miles at any point in the season the bees will find it and your flow frames will be heading for the scrap heap....
Aside from that, enjoy your course -bees are incredible. I've been keeping bees for 18 years and I love it -they never cease to amaze me with things they know to do.
Aside from that, enjoy your course -bees are incredible. I've been keeping bees for 18 years and I love it -they never cease to amaze me with things they know to do.
We've been keeping bees for 10 years and currently have 19 hives (as of last Sunday, we had 19 with activity, 2 appear not to have made the winter). Mrs rxe is the beekeeeper really, i'm the carpenter and "muscle" when needed... .
I'd third the comments on Flow. OSR will set solid very quickly in early summer. Ivy will set so solid that it kills the bees in winter - they can't do anything with it. Over the winter they will cover everything in so much propolis that anything that "moves" will be stuck solid. You can also get weather events that granulate most of the honey in a big hive - a really cold day in June for example. Even in ideal circumstances, you will get the odd frame that granulates.
Quite apart from the solidification issue ..... the idea of sitting next to a busy hive filling jars of honey is a little optimistic. The bees will get more than a little excited about what's going on.
I'd third the comments on Flow. OSR will set solid very quickly in early summer. Ivy will set so solid that it kills the bees in winter - they can't do anything with it. Over the winter they will cover everything in so much propolis that anything that "moves" will be stuck solid. You can also get weather events that granulate most of the honey in a big hive - a really cold day in June for example. Even in ideal circumstances, you will get the odd frame that granulates.
Quite apart from the solidification issue ..... the idea of sitting next to a busy hive filling jars of honey is a little optimistic. The bees will get more than a little excited about what's going on.
Many thanks guys and total respect for your many years of hard earned experience and graft.
You’ve caused me loads of questions and doubt in going the Flow route (as do the keepers/tutors at my association.
I’ll fire a few at you later if I may but would like to stress that harvesting ‘easy’ honey is the last thing on my mind. Anything more than a couple of jars is enough for me and bee welfare is top priority.
For now, as regards OSR I’ve asked a few local farmers and there is little or none for miles around. My view anyhow would be tough luck on me and the bees can clean up the frames and eat. Also I was reading a report about OSR being decimated by some ‘mite’ and farmers not willing to plant more.
As regards Ivy - I can’t see myself letting them starve for the sake of a few quids worth of fondant
You’ve caused me loads of questions and doubt in going the Flow route (as do the keepers/tutors at my association.
I’ll fire a few at you later if I may but would like to stress that harvesting ‘easy’ honey is the last thing on my mind. Anything more than a couple of jars is enough for me and bee welfare is top priority.
For now, as regards OSR I’ve asked a few local farmers and there is little or none for miles around. My view anyhow would be tough luck on me and the bees can clean up the frames and eat. Also I was reading a report about OSR being decimated by some ‘mite’ and farmers not willing to plant more.
As regards Ivy - I can’t see myself letting them starve for the sake of a few quids worth of fondant
dickymint said:
.... would like to stress that harvesting ‘easy’ honey is the last thing on my mind. Anything more than a couple of jars is enough for me and bee welfare is top priority.....
that was my view originally but the whole thing is surprisingly addictive and you'd be staggered how much honey you can produce -in my best year I got 1/3rd of a TONNE of honey from just 4 hives!I only sell honey from my door but doing so is fun -people love to to you about bees and of course beekeepers love to talk about them too! There's an old adage that getting a beekeeper to talk about bees is never a problem -it's getting them to shut up which is tricky!
If there really is no OSR then you’ll dodge that problem, but remember that bees will fly up to three miles for it, they absolutely love it. Ivy needs to be cut with syrup - as soon as the ivy comes out, we whack syrup on as well. A few years ago we lost about 10 hives to ivy, lesson learned. In spring they were still laden with stores ... and dead bees.
Honey creeps up on you. First year we got 4 jars. My mum got one, we had two, and mrs rxe’s parents got the other one. Last year, we did about half a tonne,....
Honey creeps up on you. First year we got 4 jars. My mum got one, we had two, and mrs rxe’s parents got the other one. Last year, we did about half a tonne,....
Well I've hit the button and have this pre-ordered for late March delivery...............
I looked at their National Flow Super with a view to modifying my WBC brood box - it's doable and would solve the puzzle of not disappointing Wifey as regards the birthday present. But at the end of the day it's too much of a faf and anyway I don't like compromise. So the plan at the moment is to run both and put up with them not being compatible as regards swapping bits.
Meanwhile for any doubters (there are many on the course I'm taking
) I've discovered that the Flow Frames are easily taken apart for cleaning/maintenance ..............
https://youtu.be/HAzm7bR2IDo
Can also be put in the dishwasher
I looked at their National Flow Super with a view to modifying my WBC brood box - it's doable and would solve the puzzle of not disappointing Wifey as regards the birthday present. But at the end of the day it's too much of a faf and anyway I don't like compromise. So the plan at the moment is to run both and put up with them not being compatible as regards swapping bits.
Meanwhile for any doubters (there are many on the course I'm taking
) I've discovered that the Flow Frames are easily taken apart for cleaning/maintenance ..............https://youtu.be/HAzm7bR2IDo
Can also be put in the dishwasher
rxe said:
Hmmm. Try putting something covered with beeswax and propolis in the dishwasher.....
Hence my rofl However I'm bound to try it at some stage
Dishwasher aside though don't you agree that the fact that the main objection seems to be due to the system "clogging up" It's a big plus that the frames can be easily stripped down and cleaned?How many people on here were aware of this I wonder? What i do know is that the mentors for the group i'm in have little to no experience of Flow. Their objections are based on bias confirmation and group think that (so far) can be overcome.
dickymint said:
Hence my rofl
However I'm bound to try it at some stage Dishwasher aside though don't you agree that the fact that the main objection seems to be due to the system "clogging up" It's a big plus that the frames can be easily stripped down and cleaned?
How many people on here were aware of this I wonder? What i do know is that the mentors for the group i'm in have little to no experience of Flow. Their objections are based on bias confirmation and group think that (so far) can be overcome.
I wasn’t aware but it’s irrelevant - if you lose your entire honey harvest into the dishwasher what’s the point? Normal frames need no maintenance or cleaning (by humans) normally so it’s hardly a step forward.However I'm bound to try it at some stage
Dishwasher aside though don't you agree that the fact that the main objection seems to be due to the system "clogging up" It's a big plus that the frames can be easily stripped down and cleaned?How many people on here were aware of this I wonder? What i do know is that the mentors for the group i'm in have little to no experience of Flow. Their objections are based on bias confirmation and group think that (so far) can be overcome.
I admire you wanting to do things differently and embracing advances and technology but dismissing the opinions of people with experience as confirmation bias and groupthink vs your own position of zero experience is bold! I wish you well though and will be happy to be proven wrong!
Did you buy some extra flow supers?
And are you aware that strong colonies will partially fill the first super with pollen, which definitely doesn’t flow?
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