Observation from a newbie

[vegasvalet]

Well a couple of weeks ago after lurking in the shadows I decided to take the plunge. After alot of questions and doing some research I headed over htkbeesupply and put in my order for a starter kit. Much to my joy the kit arrived yesterday, my Wife said that the UPS person just left it on the front porch and appeared not to be to happy about the weight (45lbs). Well after opening the package there was definitely some damage (6 pieces). I emailed the owner of the website and much to my surprise he has answered all of my emails almost instantly and promised replacement parts right away. People like him and the ones on this website have made my journey and new obsession GREAT. Thanks!!!

[Specialkayme]

I'm glad you are having such an enjoyable start!

Did you order your bees yet?

[vegasvalet]

I thought I'd build the hive and the bees would come on their own, you know like the movie "Field of Dreams" (J/K). Actually I ordered a 3lb package of Hygenic Italian Hybrids, looks like middle of April, I can hardley wait.

[Specialkayme]

Congrats. Where did you order them from? Good choice (in my opinion) getting the package instead of the nuc.

[vegasvalet]

I purchased the bees from Knight Family Honey in Lehi Utah, it's about 5 hours from my house (each way). I think they purchased them from Olivarez Honey Bees in California. Since we are on the subject of bees, should I transport them in the passenger area of the car or in the trunk and just stop and let me have some fresh air every so often?

[Specialkayme]

You should be fine with them in the passenger compartment. That's how I usually transport.

[PCM]

You can carry them in the trunk [ seems to make other passengers happier ]

just block it open about 2 inches and bungie cord it shut.

You might want to take a spray bottle of water, and spray them now and then if it's really hot.

PCM

[waynesgarden]

....should I transport them in the passenger area of the car or in the trunk...?

Mine like to ride up front with their heads sticking out the windows & antennae blowing in the breeze.

I don't have a trunk in my mini-SUV so they ride up front with me with no apparant problems. I usually find a stray bee or two outside the package when I get home that I don't rememeber seeing when I loaded the packages. Might have picked up a hitchhiker or there was a Houdini Bee escape artist in one of the packages.

Welcome to the world of playing with stinging bugs.

Wayne

[NeilV]

Open the package, find the queen, put her on your chin, make a bee beard and you still can use your hands for other things.

[Ravenseye]

I put them on the seat beside me, the floor beside me, on the back seat of the truck, in the bed...wherever they fit or whatever my mood. The bees don't mind much so long as the don't get cold.

[Seymore]

When I picked up my nucs, there had been a bit of a mishap and bees were everywhere! Still, undaunted and unsuited, I had the guys load my 2 nucs in the back of my CRV. This was my first encounter with bees. I was very nervous, especially when I pulled up to the pickup site and all the spacemen were out there in their full dress space suits. No one mentioned bringing a suit! I did, however. Just didn't expect to need it. So I didn't use it. But the bees were angry due to unknown mishap, and they were flying all over the place. I remembered that the little buggers don't like it cold, so I became an evil mastermind and cranked the AC down so low I was shivering - or bout nearly. When they would calm down, I'd give the AC a rest, but when they started talking back, I'd crank it down again. I was glad I was able to put that concept into action. I live about 30 minutes from the pickup site and this made for a much happier - albeit frigid - ride home. I still chuckle when I think about it.

[lenny bee]

When I pick up bees, I bring a board a bit bigger than the bee box and duck tape it down to board, so when you put on the brakes it will stay in place an not roll over. And a spray bottle with 1 to 1 sugur an vail..for the few on the outside during pick up.

[StevenG]

If you carry them in the passenger compartment, and stop for any length of time, like for lunch, be sure to crack the windows. Cars and truck cabs can heat up real quick with the sun beating down on the glass, and you don't want to heat distress them.
Regards,
Steven

[jsharum]

along the same lines if you were to pick up a nuc and put the frames in your own hive how do you properly move that?

[StevenG]

along the same lines if you were to pick up a nuc and put the frames in your own hive how do you properly move that?

I assume you mean you're taking your hive to where the nuc is, transferring frames from the nuc to your hive. That being the case, have your bottom board secured to the hive body. put a screen entrance closure in the entrance so the bees can't get out. And you may want to use a screen top to secure the bees in the deep, to allow ventilation. Or if you use a screened bottom board, won't need the screen top. But have the entrance closure ready to install when you make the transfer. After the transfer, I'd use a ratchet strap to strap everything together. Some folks would screw the top down. YOur choice. Then just pick it up, and away you go. I've moved a hive in the back seat like that.
Regards,
Steven

[PCM]

Take some extra frames with you !

If its a 5 frame nuke you need 5 additional frames to fill out the box, 5 frames by them self will slide/fall and you will have a "small" problem.

PCM