Love those bee`s

[DIXIEROADIE]

I am new to this,last year bought some old hives and did not mess with them until the following spring.When I set out to clean them up I found I already had bee`s that had came after the old honey and stayed.I suited up and set the hive up,so far I have gotten about 60 pounds of honey.I have them on a bottom board with two deep supers only one with frames and two small supers.They frames were all capped with brood showing in the one small super.I left them with the two smalls and one large full of honey and brood,should I add another small with frames or should I let it set for the winter?I have two hives going strong,one I had to add a queen and some bees but they are very aggressive towards anyone getting too near,while my other hive I can get as close as I want,even petted a few bee`s.I live in eastern ks.and have no idea of what I am doing,I have picked up bits and pieces and that got me started but I worry about winter.

[NasalSponge]

What do you mean by "only one has frames."? You have two deeps on but one is empty?

[DIXIEROADIE]

Yes the bottom one is empty then then next is where the main hive seems to be then the other two small boxes are full of capped comb,I am guessing about 40-50 pounds each.I did not know if I should have put frames in being it is getting late in the year,if you all think I should maybe put some of my capped honey frames from my small boxes and add them into the empty bottom deep super?They are all very heavy and I see a lot of brood,depending on the advice I will suit up and take pics of the frames.I am just trying to do the best thing for them,so any ideas would be helpfuL,thanks.

[NasalSponge]

Well, the first thing you want to do is either remove the lower box or add a full number of frames to it or things will get messy in a hurry. They will fill the space with comb eventually and it will not be easily removed. They will do the same thing if you move some of the smaller frames down to the deep but will be much easier to clean up. A fact of beeking is a thing called "bee space" which is about 3/8", anything smaller they will fill with propolis and anything larger they will fill with comb. Gotta run so I will let others fill in the blanks.
Hope that helps and welcome.

[DIXIEROADIE]

That is what I thought,Tomorrow I will suit up and fill the bottom deep super with frames,Like I said the boxes with frames are full and I assume that when I separate the hive and add frames they will still have time to fill it up.I am surprised at how much honey I have already gotten and how much is still in the hive.I guess if they do not survive I will have to get more bee`s and try again.Thanks for the help!

[EastSideBuzz]

You also should buy a book and subscribe to a journal:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764554190/blacknugget Bee Keeping for dummies
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006K33U/blacknugget American bee Journal
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0882668617/blacknugget Beekeeping: A Practical Guide

[DIXIEROADIE]

Great idea,the internet has been a huge help and sites like this one.I really never had an interest in bee`s but that sure has changed,I am joining the local bee keepers association and heading to the library in the morning.It seems like I am the only Kansas bee keeper in here.I would love some input from folks more in my area.

[indypartridge]

It seems like I am the only Kansas bee keeper in here.I would love some input from folks more in my area.
Swobee and Bullseye Bill are two Kansas beeks that are here on the forum frequently. I'm sure they'd be happy to answer any location-specific questions. Send them a PM if they don't see this post.

[DIXIEROADIE]

Thanks at least I am not the only one.

[StevenG]

In addition to what has already been said, if you put the box with frames on the bottom, then add frames and foundation in the empty box on top, if you feed feed feed there is a good chance they'll draw out that foundation. I've been feeding a split I was forced to make August 5, and they've just finished drawing out the last of the foundation in the second story.

Another option is if you have a medium depth super with comb, take off the empty box, put the medium on, and feed to help them build up stores for winter. If you prepare them now for winter, you won't lose them over the winter.

Good luck!
Steven

[DIXIEROADIE]

Wow so many great ideas,THANKS ! So even though the sunflowers are still drawing in the bees ,it is better to go ahead and feed them? So much to learn from all the master bee keepers but I love it,I sat outside the hive with no suit on....first time ever and just watched the girls dance and fly all around me but no stings today.Iam trying to build the nerve to work them without a suit because it is so hot and awkward to work in.I have gone this year from terrified of the bees ,to loving them.It appears that as long as you are calm and do not swat at them they leave you alone.Now if I can get the nerve up to go without the suit that would be cool.

[NasalSponge]

It appears that as long as you are calm and do not swat at them they leave you alone.

This is true MOST of the time....but you have to be careful because they can have bad days....on those days you will want some protection.

If you are still planning to pull honey for human consumtion then do not feed.

[DIXIEROADIE]

I have one hive I just moved and everyday is a bad day for them,They will chase you for a few hundred yards and then wait until you think it is safe and boom.I wish I had spent more time with my grandfather,he was a logger and if he found a honey tree he would work all the honey out and with no suit and never get stung.Me I LOOK AT THEM WRONG AND THATS IT !

[Nabber86]

Great idea,the internet has been a huge help and sites like this one.I really never had an interest in bee`s but that sure has changed,I am joining the local bee keepers association and heading to the library in the morning.It seems like I am the only Kansas bee keeper in here.I would love some input from folks more in my area.


I am in Stilwell, but only have 1 hive I started last spring.

[DIXIEROADIE]

The library is getting me some books on bees and beekeeping looking forward to getting something I can take with me to compare.It is hard to just take what you learn on the net,when a book with pictures and details will be close at hand.You all have been such a great help and make being a newbee real easy,thanks

[bradkeskey]

I'm with you, I'm brand new, my dad used to have bees in the 70's, he is old now and I thought it'd be something we could do together. I read books (I recommend Beekeeping for Dummies) and more books and online and youtube, but nothing compared to cracking open even my teeny 5 frame nuc for the first time. You can read about it, but doing it is a bit different. I love it though, almost harvest time here and next year I'm gonna add 3 or 4 more hives to my single one this year.

Brad