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Last year my bees made a lot of vetch honey...very light, almost clear white. Sweet and buttery, without the strong floral taste of most honeys. It was great. I've devoured it all already, and am...

I face this same question...a failed over-wintered colony with just a few bees left, and a surprisingly alive queen.

The biggest question is...do you really want that queen? Though it might not...

Here's my new thoughts on the matter, especially with new packages.

As Michael Bush says, I'd use the straightest combs only, and offset each one with an empty bar. That way, as the new combs are...

I sort of thought there might be something wrong with the idea of simply shaving the combs down. The center, or back of the cells I suppose, is where the bees would build out from, and they would...

Due to losing one of my colonies last year, I have a lot of old top bars with attached comb that I want to re-use this year to save the bees precious nectar usually lost to comb build-up. The combs...

I actually bought this hive last spring for a new package install.

The hive itself is great. It has three side entrance holes (front, middle, and back). I keep the back hole covered up. I live...

As far as I know, it is a *great* nectar plant. Apparently you can eat the flowers raw, and they're somewhat sweet due to the nectar.

I also got bees from Don on April 3rd, and installed them. As a little background, last year I lost my hive because I had to re-queen since the bees were way too hot -attacking out of the blue from...

I attached a comb to a top bar just yesterday. I used a screwdriver to punch a couple holes at the top of the comb all the way across. I then used plant ties (like garbage bag ties) through the...

Cool, thanks I did not know that! Learn something every day here :)

Do virgin queens swarm? I was under the impression that a swarm by definition involves the old queen taking flight after a new one is raised. Am I wrong?

From what I understand, foragers produce a pheromone that must be present up to a certain level in the hive, otherwise those that might not be of age yet are "encouraged" to take orientation flights...

Hi all,

I took a few months off of the forums because I was so frustrated with myself last year for my stupid noob mistakes! But I'm back and more than excited about starting off this year right....

Oh, and I think leveling generally applies and is most crucial to foundationless style, which I think includes all TBH's, and some other styles.

I'm certainly no expert, but I made sure my hive was perfectly level, and my bees' combs are perfectly straight across.

For some reason, leveling the hive (multiple times, not just the first time...

I agree, not marking her is fine! You'll learn to spot her over time, probably just by the way the bees are acting around her. They seem to all get out of her way as she moves...

Thanks everyone! I was amazed myself at how quickly they built up! I actually only fed them about 5 pounds of sugar in total mostly in the form of fondant. They're still going great even now...

Here are some pics...the hive is still doing great!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42211398@N07/5640806890/in/set-72157626546018032/

I love the pic of the beautiful pristine white honeycomb! :)

I'm a new Top Bar Hive user...first hive ever, installed April 1, 2001. They're doing great! No problems so far.

I've opened my TBH a total of about 3 times since my install, and the bees seem to be less and less threatened by me every single time.

I don't use any smoke, and I only take 1 or 2 bars out at a...

Just a quick update.

I did a successful inspection this weekend, post-install day 8.

The bees were really doing their job! There were 6 or so almost fully drawn out combs, hanging beautifully...

Thanks! You've got a good point there. I had thought about checking in again this weekend (end of week 1), and I just might do that. Just don't want to disturb them too much.

The queen cage...

I just wanted to share my success and say thanks to everyone for all the advice on this forum.

I picked up my first package ever this Friday from Pigeon Mountain Trading Company in Lafeyette, GA,...