NEWBEE to Beekeeping

[MedDoc2B]

Hello to all fellow beekeepers!

I’m a new bee addict, and enjoying it so far! Just over 2 weeks ago, I acquired a 5 frame nuc and have found the daily activities of my bees fascinating! In the next two weeks, I’m planning on purchasing a beginner’s starter kit so I can transfer my bees to a hive body…. I do have some questions though…!

1) I’ve been supplementing the bees with sugar water. Should I use syrup instead? Any recommendations? or links to websites that explain how to make syrup?

2) “Everyone” says that you should always have 2 hives… if something goes wrong with one, you have the other to transfer frames or help requeen. Is it feasible to attempt to split the nuc at this time of year and buy a queen to requeen the other half? Both colonies would be placed in 10 frame hives. If I provide syrup and Bee-Pro pollen substitute would I be able to build up both colonies sufficiently to have them overwinter successfully? Or is it way too late and I should attempt this next year..?

3) I’m thinking about overwintering my bees in the garage. This way, they’ll be protected from the “elements” and much of the cold… I’m also debating the idea of placing a ceramic heating pad underneath the hives (they’re used for dog houses in the colder months and I’ve read that some beekeepers have done this). My question is… if I cut an opening in the garage wall with a tunnel that connects the hive to the exterior, would I be able to maintain this arrangement in the summer? Reason being is, as we know, garages heat up fast… As long as the bees have an opening that is always open, would the bees be able to ventilate it properly and prevent any wax from melting and the hive itself from overheating? Has anyone attempted this? Is this a good idea? :confused:

4) And last… Which varieties of bees are the most gentle? I heard the Old World Carniolan, Buckfast, and Cordovan are some of the easiest breeds to work with… Any opinions? Others? I also read that the Carniolans are notorious for swarming and the Minnesota Hygienic are good honey producers…? Any feedback on any of these breeds I mentioned? Pros or Cons? :confused:

Any suggestions, comments, information, feedback would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks a lot !!! :D

K.

[Jeffzhear]

Welcome to the forum.

To respond to one of your questions, if you plan to overwinter in your garage, make sure it's totally dark.

[tecumseh]

well first off meddoc2b beekeeping is very local .... advice from someone knowledgeable and as close to your location as possible is also likely the most valuable. barry the owner of this site is from chicago (I think?).

having said that here is my suggestion as to your list:

1) sugar is best because it is pure and disease free. it is simple to make and is typically either of a 1:1 or 2:1 (by weight) mixture. the first is suggested if you desire to stimulate (brood rearing) the bees and the second is more designed to generate winter stores.

2)maybe yes and maybe no. some folks (like michael palmer) like to overwinter hives in small nucs. starting as you did late with a small nuc (and perhaps limited experience?), I would suspect that there would be little to split by the end of your season.

3) likely not the best of ideas. heat will generate the need for more feed and increase activity in the hive. some folks in the midwest use to overwinter hives in cellers. as jeff suggested darkness was essential as was the abiltiy to limit temperature spikes in mid winter.

4) most of the 'races of bees' in the us of a are very well mixed. so with great effort you can likely find some mongrel that looks like an X but displays characteristics of Y. I would suspect that overwintering characteristics would be extremely important at your location.

good luck with the bees.

[indypartridge]

Just over 2 weeks ago, I acquired a 5 frame nuc
Seems kinda late in the summer to be starting with a nuc in Chicago, and I definitely wouldn't think about trying to split them. As it is, there doesn't seem like there is enough time for them to draw comb and put up sufficient stores for winter.

Are you connected with any local beekeepers that can help mentor you and give you more precise info on what you need to do to winter bees in Chicago? Here's a link of Illinois clubs:
http://www.isba.us/index.affiliate.htm

"Sugar water" is generally a 1:1 mix of sugar and water. I use warm tap water. "Syrup" is a 2:1 mix. In order to mix 2 parts sugar with 1 part water, you'll need the water right at the boiling point. Add the sugar and stir until it's crystal clear.

I'll let others address your questions about wintering in a garage and/or with a heating pad. Not something I've had any experience with.

As for bee breeds, my opinion is that the best bees are locally-raised survivor stock. I get bees from producers that I know personally, and who I know are working with Purdue's bee breeding program. In Illinois, I've heard good things about David Burns. He would be a good person for you to call and have a chat with:
http://www.honeybeesonline.com/servlet/StoreFront

[Barry]

Hello to all fellow beekeepers!

Hello neighbor!

In the next two weeks, I’m planning on purchasing a beginner’s starter kit so I can transfer my bees to a hive body….

I wouldn't wait a minute to get them into a single deep (if that's what you're going to use for the brood chambers). Time is running very short. We have one last flow about to begin and the queen will now start shutting down.

I’ve been supplementing the bees with sugar water. Should I use syrup instead? Any recommendations? or links to websites that explain how to make syrup?

I'd keep with the sugar water mixed 1:1.

Is it feasible to attempt to split the nuc at this time of year and buy a queen to requeen the other half? . . . Or is it way too late and I should attempt this next year..?

Way too late. You'll be doing good to get your nuc to survive the winter.

I’m thinking about overwintering my bees in the garage . . . . Is this a good idea?

Never tried this, but I see a lot of potential problems doing it. Check this out: http://www.beesource.com/eob/nucs.htm

Any feedback on any of these breeds I mentioned? Pros or Cons?

I haven't purchased a queen in eons. I like to use the local stock, mutts. Not many pros, but I can think of a lot of cons . . . see this thread:
http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221588

[Oldbee]

"My question is..if I cut an opening in the garage wall with a tunnel that connects the hive to the exterior would I be able to maintain this arrangement in the summer,....overheating...ventilation?"

This 'arrangement' works very well for observation hives that are kept indoors. The bees orient [or imprint] themselves to the immediate vicinity around the outside entrance and other visual landmark 'cues' farther away. They can leave and return with no problems. Observation hives usually have screened holes to assist in ventilation. Eventually the hive itself has to be opened and hundreds of bees will be flying about. Even with the door of the garage or a window open, I suspect they will become confused/disoriented and not find their way back properly. I believe observation hives are taken outside or kept in a screened enclosure when they need to be worked with.

It seems like you are stuck with these bees, but I'm sure you want to try and keep them through the winter. It is getting late though for Illinois; it's going to be a challenge I would think.

[riverrat]

Its late to be trying to build a nuc up into 10 frame equipment this late. Unless you have drawn comb I wouldnt attempt it. Its hard to believe you found a keep willing to sell a nuc to a newbee this late in the year up north. I have had good luck overwintering bees in a 5 frame nuc boxes double deep. You might consider trying it. then splitting in the spring into 2 hives. The advantages to this is they would only have to draw 5 frames. make sure you feed them until the top box is full of stores