I am now a Beekeeper!!
Discussion
only on FB at the mo, https://www.facebook.com/oldchadsorchard/
Started planting 7 years ago, put some more 2 & 3 year old ones in this year, space for a few more yet, think max will be 700 on that part of the fields we have
Started planting 7 years ago, put some more 2 & 3 year old ones in this year, space for a few more yet, think max will be 700 on that part of the fields we have
scrwright said:
only on FB at the mo, https://www.facebook.com/oldchadsorchard/
Started planting 7 years ago, put some more 2 & 3 year old ones in this year, space for a few more yet, think max will be 700 on that part of the fields we have
Nice work. Really nice. Started planting 7 years ago, put some more 2 & 3 year old ones in this year, space for a few more yet, think max will be 700 on that part of the fields we have
A few people were interested in pics so thought I'd share some of my learnings and mishaps! Bear in mind I am just learning - I know there are some experienced keepers on this thread so feel free to correct me.
About a week ago it rained here for the first time in quite a while, after it stopped all around the hive (my garden) was busy with bees drinking to take water back to the hive. They do this to keep the humidity of their brood right, and also to dilute honey for consumption (they probably weren't brining in any fresh nectar that day).
Each bee can carry about 0.050 ml of water - estimates vary but in hot weather a hive can use upwards of 5 l of water per day - that's 100,000 bee trips.
Also here is what happens if you're a numpty like me and you leave empty space in the hive (I needed it previously to accomodate a feeder).
They did this in a week. I removed it last night and fitted the crown board just on top of the frames where it should be. Not a great feeling removing their hard work (especially when it was full of eggs), but you live and learn.
About a week ago it rained here for the first time in quite a while, after it stopped all around the hive (my garden) was busy with bees drinking to take water back to the hive. They do this to keep the humidity of their brood right, and also to dilute honey for consumption (they probably weren't brining in any fresh nectar that day).
Each bee can carry about 0.050 ml of water - estimates vary but in hot weather a hive can use upwards of 5 l of water per day - that's 100,000 bee trips.
Also here is what happens if you're a numpty like me and you leave empty space in the hive (I needed it previously to accomodate a feeder).
They did this in a week. I removed it last night and fitted the crown board just on top of the frames where it should be. Not a great feeling removing their hard work (especially when it was full of eggs), but you live and learn.
Jambo85 said:
Crown board... They're a few frames of brood away from being ready for a super and queen excluder, sadly. The super was there - empty - to accommodate a mayonnaise jar I was using as a feeder. Now back to broody body->crown board->roof while they make some progress on the frames.
Assuming you still have the wax and if your crown board has vent holes in it (some don't ) then you could 'return' the wax to the bees by lifting the lid (no need for smoke but you may want to wear your bee suit) and put the wax on top of the crown board around the vent holes.The bees will then re-use it to draw out comb. If the wax is too thick then don't balance the roof on the pile make sure it sits fully home. If you can't do that then re-use the super frame as what's called an eke, so your hive stack would then be brood, crown board, super frame, roof.Personally I'd also us this arrangement when you next feed. So the feeder goes on top of the crown board, rather than on top of the frames.
Jambo85 said:
Nice one grumpy, you just starting out too?
Got mine hived today, was a joy handling them. Went almost too well! Unfortunately it seems I squished a few as they have chucked out a few dead ones since I finished
Fingers crossed for a good summer!
Yep, all seems to be going fine. I've been stung twice, I didn't have a suit on. I needed to find out what reaction I would have as I have never had a bee sting before and as the bees are in a remote location and I will often be tending them on my own I thought it best to find out when there were other people about.Got mine hived today, was a joy handling them. Went almost too well! Unfortunately it seems I squished a few as they have chucked out a few dead ones since I finished
Fingers crossed for a good summer!
Actually they seem very placid at the moment, I know that can change over-night, and I had to disturb them quit a lot to get them annoyed. They obliged and stung me once on the finger and once on the ear. Strange but I had no reaction at all, no swelling or pain, after the initial "sting" I also know this can change, but for now anyway I seem to have nothing to worry about.
Very interesting thread.
I'm told some of you knowledgeable folk may understand what's going on in my garden!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I'm told some of you knowledgeable folk may understand what's going on in my garden!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
dickymint said:
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
Well where did the last two years go?
So my feet have warmed up and have finally got booked in for a "taster session" here next Sunday..............
https://sites.google.com/site/gwentbeekeepersassoc...
Luckily the apiary is just half a mile from where I live which is nice as i go passed it twice a day.
There's no guarantee of getting a place on the actual course in February but it's a pre-requisite to attend a taster session.
So in the meantime have any of you that were also thinking of taking this up done so and how's it going?
No interest in here? as today's the day and i'm kinda excited?
I got told off by The Mods for "cross posting" a link to this thread on the Homes Garden and DIY forum (where this thread was started back in 2017) - it got one reply from some grumpy old spoil sport (probably with a grudge and so reported it) before it got deleted.
I got told off by The Mods for "cross posting" a link to this thread on the Homes Garden and DIY forum (where this thread was started back in 2017) - it got one reply from some grumpy old spoil sport (probably with a grudge and so reported it) before it got deleted.
Hi Dicky
Missed your post on the 18th somehow, must have been doing some work that day!
It’s all got a bit of hand for me but absolutely loving it - I thought I was some kind of beekeeping god last year but it was all weather related, much harder this year but I have more hives so still getting plenty of honey.
I have put some of them on the Heather for the first time this year, here they were yesterday, only the wooden ones are mine but some monster colonies
Have you got someone to help you? I don’t want to be negative but you’re starting beekeeping at the difficult and unrewarding end of the season...!
Good forums and Facebook groups available if not, or ask here and we can all give you conflicting advice.
Missed your post on the 18th somehow, must have been doing some work that day!
It’s all got a bit of hand for me but absolutely loving it - I thought I was some kind of beekeeping god last year but it was all weather related, much harder this year but I have more hives so still getting plenty of honey.
I have put some of them on the Heather for the first time this year, here they were yesterday, only the wooden ones are mine but some monster colonies
Have you got someone to help you? I don’t want to be negative but you’re starting beekeeping at the difficult and unrewarding end of the season...!
Good forums and Facebook groups available if not, or ask here and we can all give you conflicting advice.
I did a day course in Cardiff just last week. Really enjoyed it and looking forward to getting all setup and ready to go next spring.
I haven't decided whether to get involved with the local club or not yet. A friend of mine already has a few hives and he's doing it all independently, and has offered to help out and even share his honey extractor.
I haven't decided whether to get involved with the local club or not yet. A friend of mine already has a few hives and he's doing it all independently, and has offered to help out and even share his honey extractor.
Jambo85 said:
Hi Dicky
Missed your post on the 18th somehow, must have been doing some work that day!
It’s all got a bit of hand for me but absolutely loving it - I thought I was some kind of beekeeping god last year but it was all weather related, much harder this year but I have more hives so still getting plenty of honey.
I have put some of them on the Heather for the first time this year, here they were yesterday, only the wooden ones are mine but some monster colonies
Have you got someone to help you? I don’t want to be negative but you’re starting beekeeping at the difficult and unrewarding end of the season...!
Good forums and Facebook groups available if not, or ask here and we can all give you conflicting advice.
Missed your post on the 18th somehow, must have been doing some work that day!
It’s all got a bit of hand for me but absolutely loving it - I thought I was some kind of beekeeping god last year but it was all weather related, much harder this year but I have more hives so still getting plenty of honey.
I have put some of them on the Heather for the first time this year, here they were yesterday, only the wooden ones are mine but some monster colonies
Have you got someone to help you? I don’t want to be negative but you’re starting beekeeping at the difficult and unrewarding end of the season...!
Good forums and Facebook groups available if not, or ask here and we can all give you conflicting advice.
Plan is to attend todays taster session then do the beginners course in February. So probably wont be starting a colony till next year anyway.
It's in my nature to jump in at the deep end but something tells me to hold back on this venture. We'll see what pans out today first.
Evanivitch said:
I did a day course in Cardiff just last week. Really enjoyed it and looking forward to getting all setup and ready to go next spring.
I haven't decided whether to get involved with the local club or not yet. A friend of mine already has a few hives and he's doing it all independently, and has offered to help out and even share his honey extractor.
I'm told there are a few keepers around my Town. One in particular that I apparently know but I can't put a face to his name! He likes to help newcomers, puts his own hives on peoples land and all that stuff.I haven't decided whether to get involved with the local club or not yet. A friend of mine already has a few hives and he's doing it all independently, and has offered to help out and even share his honey extractor.
Glad you enjoyed your day
Gotta find my wellies and head off...........................
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