[BroodKing]

This post is coming from the Midwest. I had been researching on how to keep bees since October of last year. I learned everything I know as of right now from reading articles online and from books. I built all of my own hives in my wood shop class at school, which was pretty fun. I built all my boxes as mediums, 14 in total. The bottom boxes have become a little warped, I must've gotten skimpy on the glue with those boxes. I received my bees a little over a month ago, so far so good. Each hive (I'm starting with two) have filled at least 6 frames in total, mostly all brood as of now. I added a second box last week, since the weather here has been pretty warm. I've been using a hive top feeder, which has had its ups-and-downs. It has caused the inner cover to become a bit moldy from the condensation of the sugar water, but I've read the bees don't even mind a bit of mold in their feed, so I haven't worried about the inner covers too much. I'm hoping that I'm doing enough for them to survive the winter this year. It's been an amazing experience, and I hope I can learn much more from this forum.

 

[Hogback Honey]

Welcome! Sounds like you are kind of like me, research, research and more research before I get into anything, including bees. Sounds like you are off to a good start, and with the added talent of being able to make your own boxes.

 

[BroodKing]

Thanks, unfortunately now I can't make anymore boxes, since I don't have access to school anymore :lpf:

 

[Litsinger]

Welcome to Beesource, Broodking- sounds like you are off to a good start.

One thing I appreciate about bees- they seem to be quite resilient to many of our mistakes and are perfectly content to live in less than perfect enclosures.

Hopefully, you will find another avenue for continuing to make your own equipment- is it time to invest in a table saw?

Welcome aboard- and good luck in your beekeeping efforts.

Russ

 

[BroodKing]

Thanks, I wish I could get a table saw, but there's no room for one :lpf:

I do like how the bees are very adaptable to varying conditions, I'm just concerned about pests having more nooks to hide in with the boxes being warped, which I hate (Luckily, no pests have settled in yet)

 

[Litsinger]

Thanks, I wish I could get a table saw, but there's no room for one :lpf:

The only thing better than a table saw is a buddy with a table saw...

Maybe you can make friends with someone who has a well-equipped wood shop.

I also have some boxes which are less than 'Grade A' spec. If the bees find the openings objectionable they will likely propolize them over- they are pretty good finish carpenters.