Michigan Bee Update / New BEEK

[bradkeskey]

Hello everyone I'm a brand new beek, just wanted to give a little update to my nuc I installed about 3 months ago. I had a nuc I installed in my box 3months ago, they seemed to quickly draw out foundation and I added a second box above not long after. Great queen, lots of brood, pattern, all that jazz. About 3 weeks ago I put a super on top, and they haven't been up above at all really, (I know they'll go when they are ready) so 9 days ago I sprayed some sugar water on the super foundation. I checked today, and the foundation is about 95% drawn out w/ lots of honey! Only a few single cells are capped off, so they have some work to go but I was so so pleased to see I'm going to harvest honey this year! I pulled five frames out of the top brood box and they were filled w/ about 80% capped honey. The colony seems to be thriving which was great. I did find some varroa a while ago when I checked some cells so I'm going to treat in the Fall, or thats what everyone says I should do!

I plan on expanding to a few more hives next year, I have enjoyed the heck out of this hobby so far, keep up the great posts on the site, I've been reading and learning a ton.

Thanks, Brad

[luvin honey]

That's great!! So glad it is going so well for you your first year. Best wishes in the many beekeeping years ahead

[BruinnieBear]

Congratulations on your successful season!

Have you searched the term, "honeybound", or inspected the lower deep for swarm cells? There is a lot of season to go, even "up nort', hey"! If 80% is filled and capped in the upper deep, IMHO, you might think of doing some extracting.

BB

[pkwilbur]

Congrats Brad. Isn't great to be excited about something. Glad you are enjoying your new adventures in Beekeeping. I hope you stay, STICKY during honey harvests for many years to come.