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4 Posts
Hi to everyone. I loved discovering this resource.
Okay, I have kept bees before. Been 12 yrs. since I moved to the Adirondacks in NY. My old equipment I bought used and it had comb on all the frames/foundation when I acquired it.
My questions are: I have melted and put bee wax on all of my brood box foundations. I was told by Better Bee that there was not enough wax from the manufacturer on the foundation. (1.) Is there anything else that would be helpful to me to encourage my bees (that will be here in a week or two) to make good comb? I have done considerable reading in The Beekeepers Handbook and Hive Management but don't see any mention for someone who has No comb on any foundation. I am starting out with 3 colonies. Did not want to take a chance with inheriting CCD and Foulbrood.
To say the least, at lot has happened to our bees in 12 years and I moved from Fairbanks, Alaska to Plattsburgh, NY and things are different here than they were there. I feel like a kid lost in the woods but am 60+ years old. Any information on what to do with brand new equipment would be greatly appreciated. I am going to hive with boxed bees not nucs. I know I am behind the curve for harvesting much honey. This will be a building year and I plan to add 3 more New Hives next year but will be able to intermix Frames/Foundation with comb into the new stuff next year.
Have not bought my meds for treatment of Varroa mites,Tracheal mites or Nosema disease. (2.) What recommendations would you recommend to me for these pests and problems? I realize opinions will vary but I might be influenced by the same recommendation 20 times.
I have taken several courses this last month on beekeeping and our new problems and cutting edge studies from Cornell University on CCD etc. but was not able to voice my questions, too many others who asked questions that I knew (think I do) the answers to.
I know some local beekeepers and will pick their brains this week or next after they have their hives under control. I intentionally got my bees late because there was nothing for them to forage on and Spring is very late this year. I did not want to feed them syrup and pollen patties for a month. I know that most of my bees will be gone by the time the new ones hatch out so I am expecting some fluctuations in numbers until they get a handle on things in their new homes. I do plan on feeding them syrup for about 4 weeks from the top board. I have boardman feeders too but will wait a while for them to start.
Any beekeepers from my area reading this, please drop me an email at [email protected]. I won't be a pest but sure would appreciate your knowledge and friendship. Maybe I can take a look/see of your equipment (apiary) and habits inspecting and handling of bees. Knowledge is power and seeing something is worth a lot more than a thousand words.
That having been said, This is already too long. Good luck to all and have a sweet Summer.
Okay, I have kept bees before. Been 12 yrs. since I moved to the Adirondacks in NY. My old equipment I bought used and it had comb on all the frames/foundation when I acquired it.
My questions are: I have melted and put bee wax on all of my brood box foundations. I was told by Better Bee that there was not enough wax from the manufacturer on the foundation. (1.) Is there anything else that would be helpful to me to encourage my bees (that will be here in a week or two) to make good comb? I have done considerable reading in The Beekeepers Handbook and Hive Management but don't see any mention for someone who has No comb on any foundation. I am starting out with 3 colonies. Did not want to take a chance with inheriting CCD and Foulbrood.
To say the least, at lot has happened to our bees in 12 years and I moved from Fairbanks, Alaska to Plattsburgh, NY and things are different here than they were there. I feel like a kid lost in the woods but am 60+ years old. Any information on what to do with brand new equipment would be greatly appreciated. I am going to hive with boxed bees not nucs. I know I am behind the curve for harvesting much honey. This will be a building year and I plan to add 3 more New Hives next year but will be able to intermix Frames/Foundation with comb into the new stuff next year.
Have not bought my meds for treatment of Varroa mites,Tracheal mites or Nosema disease. (2.) What recommendations would you recommend to me for these pests and problems? I realize opinions will vary but I might be influenced by the same recommendation 20 times.
I have taken several courses this last month on beekeeping and our new problems and cutting edge studies from Cornell University on CCD etc. but was not able to voice my questions, too many others who asked questions that I knew (think I do) the answers to.
I know some local beekeepers and will pick their brains this week or next after they have their hives under control. I intentionally got my bees late because there was nothing for them to forage on and Spring is very late this year. I did not want to feed them syrup and pollen patties for a month. I know that most of my bees will be gone by the time the new ones hatch out so I am expecting some fluctuations in numbers until they get a handle on things in their new homes. I do plan on feeding them syrup for about 4 weeks from the top board. I have boardman feeders too but will wait a while for them to start.
Any beekeepers from my area reading this, please drop me an email at [email protected]. I won't be a pest but sure would appreciate your knowledge and friendship. Maybe I can take a look/see of your equipment (apiary) and habits inspecting and handling of bees. Knowledge is power and seeing something is worth a lot more than a thousand words.
That having been said, This is already too long. Good luck to all and have a sweet Summer.