Its killing me

[JD]

I decided about 8 weeks ago to get bees. I bought 2 books and read them. Then went and looked into some hives a friend had. The more I read the more I want them. This web site is killing. Having to read about them everyday and not have them is making me crazy.
I did not want to get a hive late in the year and risk loosing them over the winter plus I am just getting back to be able to left things since shoulder surgery 5 weeks ago.

But I plan to get 4 hives this winter and get them read and order package bees for the spring and April will not get here soon enough.

The post about commercial hives I can not get enough of. That is unreal to me to have that many bees and take them all over the country. Never knew anything like that took place. And talking about a 1 ton truck being small when getting honey supers that blows my mind.

Thanks for a great web site
JD

[tarheit]

If you can, find a local beekeeping association and attend their meetings, find a local beekeeper that's willing to let you 'help', join the state association and attend some seminars, classes or conventions (a lot seem to be held late winter and early spring). That should help keep you from getting crazy for a little while at least. Of course most think I'm crazier now that I have bees [img]smile.gif[/img]

-Tim

[JohnK and Sheri]

>>>>1 ton truck being small when getting honey supers that blows my mind.<<<<
Be careful, beekeeping can blow your back too, lol.

Let your shoulder heal, read lots, frequent this forum and others like it, find that local association, classes etc and the winter will fly.
Sheri

[power napper]

JD--why not get an observation hive to help ease the pain. Watch bee tv all winter long when taking breaks from this forum and reading!

[Larkspur]

Looks like another one has gotten stung by the beekeeping sting. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Sundance]

JD as PW said...... get an observation hive
as soon as you can. I got my first OB hive
this summer and it is incredible. It teaches
so much. Lets you know what your other hives
might be bringing in and flow status.

[iddee]

Let's see. You can get a couple hives that are well established now from a local beek for about 200.00, chance losing them over the winter, and if not, get a hundred pounds or more of honey next year. Also, most likely the assistance of the local beek you buy them from.

OR, you can spend 350.00 to start 2 hives in the spring, probably get no honey next year, and chance losing them next winter. I would have bees this winter so I could watch them and study while they are dormant and don't need so much hands on attention. You will be much better prepared in the spring, both with experience and strong hives.

[kenpkr]

"Watch bee tv all winter long"

Pray tell, what is this bee tv you refer to?! I only wish there were a channel devoted to just bees!

[Rod Weakley]

Kenpkr, He is referring to having an observation hive in the house. It's like having a TV channel dedicated to bees. All you have to do is lift up the cover and take a look inside.

[Michael Bush]

>I only wish there were a channel devoted to just bees!

It's right here:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm

In my living room.

[nursebee]

I would not buy bees now. Set things up for spring, save the heartache. Go work with others for the remainder of the season. I learned more working with others than with an obs hive. An obs hive can teach you about bees, an experienced beek can teach you how to keep bees.

[peggjam]

I'd find another beek you can hang out with. For a little free help, most beeks will teach you everything they know. Also this is a good time of year to watch the harvest, and learn how to take care of it.

[Doctus Apis]

I feel your pain JD. Just finished reading Beekeeping for Dummies and all I want to do is start ordering woodenware and foundation! I just need to move out of this apartment first!!

[balhanapi]

Thats exactly how I feel Doctus apis and JD, Cant tell you how many times have I been through beekeeping supply sites and placed things in my cart..
This apartment is killing me too!

[Michael Bush]

> all I want to do is start ordering woodenware and foundation!

I'd think it through carefully before you start ordering. There are many decisions to make:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnewbees.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnaturalcell.htm

[MichelleB]

I went through that last winter, guys! I know what you're going through. Worse, this year's nucs and packages were late because it was a bad season for breeding queens. I spent all of April stomping around and whining--and then suddenly, they were here! Whoo hoo, this season went by FAST.

I'm dreading winter, with nothing to do but pound on the hive walls to make sure they're still alive. Oh yeah, and pounding nails (er, staples--got me a compressor!) whilst building new supers and hive bodies for next year!

Hang in there, and stick around--I've learned so much here. Go to local bee club meetings, send away for every bee catalog (beek porn!) you can and you'll be fine!