http://www.beesource.com/forums/ Beesource Beekeeping Forum - Index en Tue, 21 May 2013 16:30:48 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.beesource.com/forums/images/misc/rss.png http://www.beesource.com/forums/ http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283271-Well-Greetings-Everyone-from-Georgia!&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 16:10:24 GMT Hello new friends and fellow beeks. :w I've always heard that the bee community is one of the most fun and welcoming ones, and I'm sure that'll prove to be true here!

I'm fairly new to the GA beekeeping scene (and new to Geor-juh as well) and am loving every second of it (Formerly from California). Today, actually, I'm installing two package bees so fingers-crossed that all goes well.

I've loved bees since childhood, a cartoon actually inspired and provoked the love of bees to turn into a desire to beekeep, but I was faced with many obstacles living in California when it came to owning my own hives. Now, Georgia's land and people are more welcoming to my hobby, and I'm thrilled to begin on this journey. I look forward to meeting fellow beeks and learning more about 'the girls' from both them, and you.





-Priscilla ]]> Welcome Forum cheekypriscilla http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283271-Well-Greetings-Everyone-from-Georgia! http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283270-considering-a-booming-hive-how-many-boxes-to-add&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 16:08:03 GMT I lost four out of five hives this past winter but the remaining hive is absolutely booming. I've got about 5 mediums and a deep stacked up, and stuck a box of wet frames on top for them to clean out, and they're still building bridge comb on the top bars of the highest box. This hive is super vigorous. I took off one whole medium earlier to make a split, and turns out I got a bunch of swarm and a couple of supercedure cells in that one. ( Made one more split from that, taking one frame with a couple of capped queen cells from the new split and shaking a bunch of house bees in from the booming hive. )I put in one box, alternating drawn comb and empty frames in the middle of the brood nest (this worked for me on this same hive a couple years ago). They're bringing in nectar like crazy, and there are a ton of house bees. They are so crowded, despite the large number of boxes. What are some strategies for this situation? This is probably a hive determined to swarm, and my taking out the one whole box for a split probably only set them back a little. I'm wondering if it is destined to be a hive that has multiple swarms, given the large number of swarm cells they produced.

My suspicion is that I'm behind the curve; should have started tending the hive earlier. As it is, I didn't look into it until early May, because of the continued late cold snaps in April. An earlier start might have allowed me to manage the hive before it got so huge - could have taken a few splits. As it is, I'm afraid to take any more splits in case they decide to swarm.

Advice?? Half or fully baked opinions? ]]> Bee Forum karenarnett http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283270-considering-a-booming-hive-how-many-boxes-to-add http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283269-Bunch-of-questions-from-a-worried-newbee&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 15:42:06 GMT I picked up and installed two nucs on Mothers Day. As we were installing at the bee yard, we noticed a queen larva. The beekeeper suggested I watch... I picked up and installed two nucs on Mothers Day. As we were installing at the bee yard, we noticed a queen larva. The beekeeper suggested I watch it and when it's capped move it and another frame to a nuc and start another nuc. Get three hives for the price of two, not bad.

So I checked yesterday. It is capped. I wasn't able to get into the hives until late, it was getting dark, I couldn't find the queen. I looked for as long as I could. Usually they buzz more loudly when the queen is removed, but no buzzing. I couldn't really see inside the hive, but it looked like a bigger bee was dead on the bottom screen. It looked like her, but it could have been a worker. I don't know. I was worried about removing the capped frame because I didn't want to leave that hive queenless.

There are uncapped larva, I did see that. I couldn't see any eggs, but it was getting darker. I hope I did the right thing. I'm new and want to be a good bee mama. I think I'll check again today if the rain holds off.

Also, I removed the feeders I had inside the hive. I wanted to replace it with frames and there's a lot in bloom now, so the nectar flow should be decent enough they can forage. Maybe that was a mistake, too? ]]> Bee Forum CPendergraff http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283269-Bunch-of-questions-from-a-worried-newbee http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283268-How-do-I-teach-my-bees-to-swim&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 15:30:47 GMT Of my two hives, one is full of a bunch of dummies. Both have hive top feeders. Hive number one I think I skimmed out two or three dead bees in two... Of my two hives, one is full of a bunch of dummies. Both have hive top feeders. Hive number one I think I skimmed out two or three dead bees in two weeks. The other one, the bees are drowning by the dozens. I just skimmed out at least 12-18 last night for the second time in two weeks. What's the deal? This is the same hive that started building burr comb IN the feeder. Are they just not bright or is something amiss? Thanks ]]> Bee Forum Uberwilhelm http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283268-How-do-I-teach-my-bees-to-swim http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283267-New-in-Indiana&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 15:25:02 GMT Just ordered a hive. Don't know anything other than reading some on the internet. I am going to be needing bees, any suggestions? Thanks ]]> Welcome Forum JG4633 http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283267-New-in-Indiana http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283266-Queen-Hive-rating-system-for-hive-improvement&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 15:21:52 GMT I am new at beekeeping and I would like to begin a rating system for my hives. My plan is to encourage some of the "desirable" traits next spring. This is my first year and I plan on developing or using an existing rating system someone else has setup. I will rate these during hive inspections throughout this year and through the winter.

I am very sure there are MANY different opinions on this subject but I would like to hear from you. I would think that commercial beekeeps would weigh heavily on honey production and people leaning more towards hobbyists would have different criteria like less aggressive bees?

Some of these can obviously be combined but here are some of the traits that came to me first. All of these could have subcategories and many are dependent on each other but I had to start somewhere. I'm not sure how I would setup the rating system, I thought I would setup 5 to 8 different categories and weigh them on priority and setup a grading system for the highest priority traits: 5 (best) being most desirable and 1 being unacceptable or least important or something along those lines. I am very open for any and all suggestions....

General Categories so far:

Aggressiveness: stinging, headbutting, distance followed from hive, etc.

Survivability: mite/disease resistance with less intervention on my part, tolerance for weather in my area,

Productiveness: surplus of honey for harvest by me!

Reproductive abilities: brood pattern and amount of brood

Hygienic: Grooming, hive cleanliness, etc.

Swarm tendency:

Ideas?

SO WHAT MAKES A GOOD HIVE/QUEEN? What criteria do you use for the genetics you want to propagate? What do you NOT tolerate in your bees? Would you tolerate some aggressiveness for bees that have survived year after year or are great honey producers? ]]> Beekeeping 101 HeffsBStuff http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283266-Queen-Hive-rating-system-for-hive-improvement http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283265-Need-input-for-Beek-with-one-large-laying-working-hive-and-mated-queen-on-the-way&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 15:19:18 GMT I came through winter with one hive, 14 frames of bees in 2 deeps. I checked the hive 5 weeks ago saw plenty of brood in all stages and capped... I came through winter with one hive, 14 frames of bees in 2 deeps. I checked the hive 5 weeks ago saw plenty of brood in all stages and capped drone cells. I had a northern queen ordered, but from our colder than normal spring the delivery was delayed 2 weeks. The queen arrived dead and then I went through the hive to prepare for the replacement queen . I could'nt find any young larvae, just old capped cells and spotted tons of scattered drone cells all over the hive, couldnt find any queen of any type. In vain I pulled some frames that I thought had normal eggs, and some bees and made a split and shut them up for 96 hours, alas I checked them today and no emergence queen cell made. The replacement queen will be here friday. I have had laying worker hive before but I had other hives to pull good larvae from and then do a shakeout. From what I see, I have 1 options

A) Build a large queen introduction cage and then place an empty hive bottom and separate it from the top 2 deeps and then turn the entrance a different direction and catch the flying workers in the bottom, remove them and put them in a nuc with the new queen. I figure a really large cage might give her a chance lay 100 plus eggs and maybe get enough phermones up to accept her


Dont know another beek, in my area from which to get some brood from ]]> Beekeeping 101 spunky http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283265-Need-input-for-Beek-with-one-large-laying-working-hive-and-mated-queen-on-the-way http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283264-No-bees-in-the-neighborhood&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 15:13:18 GMT Now that I'm a (very) amateur beekeeper, I keep an eye out for bee's where ever I am. In years past, I've notice honey bees in the yard enjoying the clover as well as many of my flowers. This year, I think I've seen one, yes, ONE, honey bee. Even on my neighbors unkept yard with a nice stand of clover, I have yet to see honey bees working it. I think most people would not even give it a second thought that there are no bees on their flowers or in there yard, but it's evidence that there is a serious problem in nature that most people are oblivious to. Without the swarms that are issued from our hives reseeding nature, I'm guessing the issue would be even bigger and showing up much more than what it is.

It gives me a little bit more satisfaction knowing that the bees I'm tending not only are providing me with honey, but but area a huge part of nature that I'm "doing my little part" to help.

Maybe when my hives are all up to maximum, I'll throw together a plywood hive and park it in the woods somewhere and let them go about their own business. ]]> Beekeeping 101 Dale_3rd http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283264-No-bees-in-the-neighborhood http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283263-Installing-a-Nuc&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 15:04:15 GMT I just started two hives on Saturday from 3# packages. A guy not too far from here just posted on craigslist that he has some 5 frame Nucs for... I just started two hives on Saturday from 3# packages.

A guy not too far from here just posted on craigslist that he has some 5 frame Nucs for sale. They include a Russian queen, 1-2 frames of honey, 1-2 frames of larvae and 1-2 frames of eggs.

What is the process for a Nuc package??? Do I just buy another hive and place these 5 frames in a deep hive body and add 5 more frames?

Any advice appreciated!! ]]> Bee Forum ksp107 http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283263-Installing-a-Nuc http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283262-How-many-flowers&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 14:42:38 GMT A complete newb question for the board: we live in a somewhat rural area, the area where our town starts to change to "country life." There's a good amount of open land around us: hay fields, pasture, etc., that have a good amount of wildflowers and weeds in them. There may be some alfalfa or clover around that I don't know about. I grow a big garden every year, but I realize that not much in the garden will be of major use to the bees. This year I devoted some garden space to a pretty good amount of flowers: some zinnias, cosmos, echinacea, and the like. Lastly, several of our neighbors have pretty big flower spreads at their place.

This fall I plan to plant about 1/3 acre of clover, vetch, and buckwheat around the hives to give a good amount of forage for next year, but for now flowers and such will have to do.

This all has me wondering the following: how many flowers, in addition to all of the other stuff around us, should we have at our place to support a couple of hives? We already have a good number of perennials like lavenders, sages, penstemon, mints, and a big butterfly bush (budleia). I'm wondering how much summer forage we should have for the girls to both sustain them and provide some honey for us and -hopefully- our neighbors. Can someone shed some light on it?

TIA ]]> Bee Forum imthedude http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283262-How-many-flowers http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283261-cut-out-job&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 14:40:33 GMT I just got a call on a cut out in Antlers Okla. If anyones interested sent me a message. Hives been in the wall roughly five years. I just got a call on a cut out in Antlers Okla. If anyones interested sent me a message. Hives been in the wall roughly five years. ]]> Swarms, Trap-outs, and Cut-outs charles adams http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283261-cut-out-job http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283260-Moving-hive-a-short-distance&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 14:25:36 GMT Newbee here, I need to move my hive about ten feet to the right of its existing location so that it gets morning sun, earlier in the day.... Newbee here,
I need to move my hive about ten feet to the right of its existing location so that it gets morning sun, earlier in the day.
Suggestions?
Thanks
Tone ]]> Bee Forum tonetone28 http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283260-Moving-hive-a-short-distance http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283259-Replace-sagging-frames-in-new-hive-Help!&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 14:05:32 GMT I'm a week into a new hive and a complete rookie. The frames I used are mediums with unwired comb. They have started to sag. Ugh. Do I replace them completely? My worry is obviously disturbing any brood. It's going to be disturbing regardless. Has anyone else had this issue? ]]> Beekeeping 101 beekrissy http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283259-Replace-sagging-frames-in-new-hive-Help! http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283258-Hello-from-Sonoma&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 14:01:34 GMT This is all new to me. It's captivating. I'm in Sonoma with 3 new hives. 2 came from Sacramento and the other from Sebastopol. The Sebastopol hive is doing the best of the three. It's popular to have hives in Sonoma lately, although I find that most people don't care for their own. I'm a little more hands on than that, even though I am pretty scared of doing something wrong!! Anyway, there's a quick intro to me. ]]> Welcome Forum beekrissy http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283258-Hello-from-Sonoma http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283257-hive-configuration-vote-now&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 13:43:18 GMT When running a 10 frame deep and medium setup, how many frames in each? When running a 10 frame deep and medium setup, how many frames in each? ]]> Bee Forum flyingbrass http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283257-hive-configuration-vote-now