| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| EastTXFarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 17 2010 : 7:01:14 PM
I am so excited, I installed my first bee hive this afternoon. WOW!!! I was so nervous I couldn't stop sweating. I was drenched by the time it was over. I watched the video for installing bees about 20 times, typed out a check list, and read many many books so I would be prepared for today. I finally got the bees in the hive but I promise you it did not look anything like the video. No stings! But, I didn't think I was ever going to get those little buggers out of the travel box. I shook and poured just like the video and books said but they clung to the sides and the mesh. Finally I pried the whole side off the box and brushed them out. I over filled the feeder so I had sugar water flowing out all over the place. I'm telling you if someone had of been recording it they probably could have won 'America's funniest videos'. But I did it. After I got them in I walked up the hill and sat on the bank of the pond and basked in my glory. LOL. I was so proud of myself.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| EastTXFarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 29 2010 : 1:56:40 PM
I went with was foundation. Only because everything I read said what Marilyn mentioned, it requires less work on the bees. I honestly don't know if it is any better.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
| Farmtopia |
Posted - Apr 29 2010 : 06:33:52 AM
We have one box foundationless and two with wax/wood frame. It's a bit harder working around the foundationless, but fascinating to see just how fast they fill the frame 
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
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| windypines |
Posted - Apr 27 2010 : 04:27:10 AM
I started mine out totally foundationless. Med. hive boxes. I just could not believe how quickly the girls have filled the frames in. They have sugar syrup, and pollen patty too.
Michele |
| edlund33 |
Posted - Apr 26 2010 : 5:22:43 PM
I have been wondering the same thing, Dianne.
My mentor started me out with wax coated plastic foundation. He says it is a better way to start out a new hive because it doesn't require so much energy on the bee's part to get their hive productive. I just don't feel comfortable with the idea of having man made plastic products in contact with my bees or their pollen and honey. So, when I start a few more of my own hives next year I will probably go with 100% beeswax foundation even though it takes more work to secure this in the frames. I am hoping to be able to use the smaller size cell foundation for the brood boxes in my own hives to help discourage varroa mites. Some day when I have more experience with the bees and have a few hives going strong I would like to experiment with foundationless frames.
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
| textilelover |
Posted - Apr 26 2010 : 03:45:36 AM
How many of you start with foundation and how many do foundationless frames? Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
| windypines |
Posted - Apr 25 2010 : 04:17:48 AM
Good luck Marilyn on getting ready. Hope your queen was out Victoria. My girls are going through lots of sugar syrup yet. We are starting to get a few things blooming.
Michele |
| edlund33 |
Posted - Apr 24 2010 : 8:28:09 PM
Good for you, Victoria and Michele! Aren't bees fun and fascinating? I think you'll get over the anxiety when you have a little bit more experience. You hear stories from other bee keepers and read them in books about how one day they forgot to put a veil on, or gloves...and suddenly they are working their hives without protective gear. My mentor doesn't use gear very often.
I just had my first experience with assembling a hive and adding package bees and queen today. I wasn't sweating when I was done.....but I did get soaked because it rained this afternoon! It was only about 48 degrees, so the bees were a little bit lethargic. Even so, I was amazed at how quickly they started fanning at the opening! I can't wait to move my hive to my place in a few weeks. For now they are safe at my mentor's bee yard until I get my 10-frame hive built and ready for bees.
I hope you enjoy your new hobby!
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
| windypines |
Posted - Apr 24 2010 : 04:53:22 AM
Did you go foundationless? I did. I did my first hive check yesterday. It was so neat. My girls had six of the frames almost totally filled with comb. Working on the other two. I could see pollen, and nector or sugar syrup in some of the cells. I am not sure if I saw eggs or not. I can't wait to look again in a week. Isn't it so exciting!
Michele |
| amomfly |
Posted - Apr 20 2010 : 3:22:13 PM
How awesome!!! Way to go!
I would love a hive, no more room here for anything!!!!
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
#1038 |
| textilelover |
Posted - Apr 20 2010 : 1:48:18 PM
Good for you, Victoria! It's always a good sign when the workers release the queen. If your bees are building comb you should be on your way to a healthy hive. And I know what you mean about clubs and people and backbiting. Our bee club is going through some rough times but that's the nature of people. I'm trying to stick it out because I like many of the people and value their wisdom and knowledge. Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
| EastTXFarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 20 2010 : 11:47:51 AM
I did it!!! I did my first hive check. The queen was out of her cage. I didn't find her but the bees are busy making comb. I will wait about a week to check again. Maybe by then I will see some eggs. I have got to get over this sweating thing. I get so nervous I just start pouring sweat.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - Apr 20 2010 : 10:10:47 AM
WOW!! great for you
"we must be the change we wish to see in the world"
farmgal #150 |
| AliciaNak |
Posted - Apr 20 2010 : 10:07:02 AM
Way to go!
I don't think I could do it!! 1000lb horse, no problem; big rangy cow, no problem; little ole bee? No thankx!! :)
Congrats and good luck with your new venture!
Alicia
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.~Ralph Waldo Emmerson
www.blondenak.blogspot.com
www.artfire.com/users/BlondeNakCreations |
| Bonnie Ellis |
Posted - Apr 19 2010 : 9:32:36 PM
Victoria: Great job girl! Farmgirls can do anything they set their mind to. Please write at the end of the summer how you're doin'. Keep in touch. Bonnie
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
| EastTXFarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 19 2010 : 7:52:35 PM
I think I will check on my queen tomorrow if the weather is nice. No, Dianne I don't have a mentor. The Bee association here is going through quite a bit of instability right now (for lack of a better term). There has been so much back biting and bickering going on I just stepped back. I purchased the Beekeeping 101, 201 & 301 course from Brushy Mountain Bee farm and I got the garden hive video. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. And Jennifer, right now I can tell you how not to release your bees LOL.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
| Kerbear |
Posted - Apr 19 2010 : 7:22:11 PM
Congratulations Victoria! Thank you for sharing your story! I can only imagine what it would be like to raise bees. Thats so exciting!
~Kerry Anne
Farmgirl Sister #975 |
| textilelover |
Posted - Apr 19 2010 : 3:50:04 PM
Victoria, I have never heard that about the workers killing the queen if she's released too soon. I have left the queen in her cage for more than 4 days only to find her and her attendants dead! Not sure why. If you have a mentor and she says to wait, then wait. Everyone has different opinions. Please let us know how you make out. Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
| arabianhorselover |
Posted - Apr 19 2010 : 11:54:56 AM
Congrats! I so want to have a bee hive! Time just not right! I will be asking you what to do. Great Job and good luck!
Breeder of Straight Egyptian Arabians and SportHorses
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Farmgirl Sister #561
Never squat with your spurs on!!!
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| beadbabe |
Posted - Apr 19 2010 : 06:39:51 AM
Way to go!!!
Therese
Farmgirl Sister #1217
If you ask me what I came into this world to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud. ~Emile Zola |
| windypines |
Posted - Apr 19 2010 : 05:38:34 AM
Congrats Victoria~I felt the same was as you. I put my bees in last tuesday, and I thought I would never get the hive back together. They were all over. I took out the queen cage on Sat. I had a much easier time getting the inner cover back on and the rest. I think they are so fun to watch. I go out to mine several times a day just to see what they are doing! Good luck with your bees.
Michele |
| Farmtopia |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 2:31:31 PM
Hey Victoria. I've released queens as early as 3 days. I would probably wait no more than 4 days to let the majority of workers start caring for her and for her go and start laying eggs.
GOOD for you for doing the hiving :)
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
View My Work:
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The Horse Drawn Project and Farming!
www.beyondvagabond.blogspot.com
View the blog and radio show!
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NEXT RADIO SHOW: April 11th ~ Interview with Katherine Dunn, artist and farmer of Apifera Farm! |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 07:08:45 AM
YAY VICTORIA!!! Good for you!!!
My dad was a beekeeper for a time and my hubby helped him. But we sold all the equipment in our farm auction after my dad died.
Kinda sad, but there was just too much to take care of and that was one part of the farm we had to let go of.
YAY!!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
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From my Hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| EastTXFarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 06:48:03 AM
Thank you ladies. I walked out to the hive this morning. I didn't bother them but I just wanted to take a look. It is raining here this morning but there were a few around the entrance and a few buzzing around the hive. Thanks for the advise Dianne. I did put an entrance reducer in. But I have a question about the queen. I was told not to check onhere for 5 days or the workers would killer. I don't want them to kill her. That would kind of ruin my day. But do you think I should check her sooner? I do wear glasses and by the time I finished getting them in the house yesterday I had dripped so much sweat on them I could see. LOL.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
| Karrieann |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 05:41:14 AM
(gives a hearty pat on Victoria's back) Awesome Victoria!
Karrieann ~ Farmgirl Sister #766 (29 Sept 2009)
My Blog: ...following my heart, dreams and Jesus
...http://karrieann-followingmyheartandjesus.blogspot.com/
|
| textilelover |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 05:00:26 AM
Victoria, Congrats! Make sure you check your queen cage in 2-3 days to make sure they've freed her. If not, let her into the hive. Then in a week or so check that she's laying eggs. Best way to do this is to hold a center frame up with the sun behind you. If you wear glasses, put them on under your veil! The eggs are tiny white transluscent grains, but once you see them you'll know them. And continue to feed a new colony. It's also helpful sometimes to put an entrance reducer on(one made of quarter-inch mesh or one with a larger opening than a winter one)to protect a new colony, but if you don't it's fine. You did an awesome job! Everyone has a funny/frightening story to tell about installing packaged bees! Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
