Okay I'll start the beekeeping thread (Page 148 of 154)
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Something else to try. Put the swarm lure OUTSIDE of the trap. Most people don't realize, but they often use too much, and it can actually repel the bees. The idea is to attract scouts, to get them inside. Doesn't necessarily apply in your case, since you said you left the top open anyway. |
"You know how butt ugly people are said to have hit every branch on the way down the ugly tree.
Well, the dumbass tree done drilled you in the butt and laid eggs in ya." -RJinks
Well, the dumbass tree done drilled you in the butt and laid eggs in ya." -RJinks
| Stories like that keep me from wanting to handle bees at all. I love them near us naturally for our crops, but don’t like being stung to say the least. |
Louis L'Amour, “To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.”
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Originally Posted By turtle2472: Stories like that keep me from wanting to handle bees at all. I love them near us naturally for our crops, but don’t like being stung to say the least. I don't get stung alot and when I do it's mostly my error. I get to comfortable around my hives sometimes in shorts, flip flops, t shirt and a veil over my head. This swarm was huge and I decided I wanted it. I could've left it and today I was pretty stoked to have them. On Sunday, I opened the top box to put in a pollen patty and some sugar water as fast as I've ever done it and they came at me like rockets. Today(Monday) I opened the front entrance and bees spilled out the front needing fresh air. Some say to keep them inside up to 72 hours because they may leave again. I decided if they did want to leave I wasn't going to hold them up. I came home about 400 today and they were out and swirling about, what appeared to be orienting themselves. I put some branches in front of the hive before opening it because I only moved them a few hundred yards to begin with. Later I filled their sugar water feeder and they were as calm as my other hives and I'll know if they start bringing in pollen soon that they are going to stay. Oh, on Sunday I also split a hive and added a frame with 3 capped supersedure cells along with brood/honey/nectar frames to a box. We'll see what happens. Much of an experiment for me. |
You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you’re capable of great violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful, you’re harmless.
Selling dime bags of primers.
Selling dime bags of primers.
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This past week I did some splits and found one of my hives had turned mean. They had seemed a problem last year, but this year they were worse than my feral hive. They had also effectively welded the whole hive together. It took a lot of work with the hive tool to separate the boxes and the frames from each other. Once I had opened the top they were all over me. Prying and yanking on the boxes didn't help. They were thoroughly pissed. It was a two deep and one super set over winter. I added a super last month and they had pretty much filled it. Now I have two single deep with super hives. I didn't find the queen so I have to wait to see which one has new eggs next week. It is finally sinking in to get started early. I should have been in the hives cleaning up and adding syrup on Valentine's day with a pollen patty the following week. I was late getting that done and I didn't clean up the excess wax on the frames. If there is wax build up on a surface, the bees consider it their space and will build on it. Top of frame, bottom of frame, walls, lids, it all has to be free of comb. They will build comb between frames vertically and horizontally. Vertical bridging is the most destructive to deal with as when you pick up a box you are also picking up the frame(s) below it. That is disturbing to the bees and damaging to your valuable comb. This year I built some two frame mating nucs. I have already used one to requeen a hive that lost their queen somehow. Having an extra queen at the ready is always handy and if you don't use her to make a new hive, you can always sell her or help out a new beekeeper. Being only two frame they will fill up fast so you need a plan before they decide to swarm. I plan to have at least two going at all times. Barnyard bees has videos on them as well as build plans. I'm starting a service to help with ag exemptions for small properties. Texas has provision for small property ag exemption, with as little as five acres. I'm writing up a contract today for a customer. |
I've seen better riots at Walmart on a black Friday - SrBenelli
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Originally Posted By Cardplayer: On Sunday, I opened the top box to put in a pollen patty and some sugar water as fast as I've ever done it and they came at me like rockets. Today(Monday) I opened the front entrance and bees spilled out the front needing fresh air. Some say to keep them inside up to 72 hours because they may leave again. I decided if they did want to leave I wasn't going to hold them up. Be careful with the pollen patty this time of the year. They can be breeding grounds for Hive beetles. Also you can place a queen excluder above the bottom board but below the brood box for a few days after catching a swarm. This will let the bees come and go but stop the queen from leaving. I find that closing them up entirely makes them edgy about staying. Make sure to remove the excluder early if the queen is unmated so she can go on her mating flights in due time. |
A Nation of Sheep Breeds a Government of Wolves!!!
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Originally Posted By DUX4LIFE: Be careful with the pollen patty this time of the year. They can be breeding grounds for Hive beetles. Also you can place a queen excluder above the bottom board but below the brood box for a few days after catching a swarm. This will let the bees come and go but stop the queen from leaving. I find that closing them up entirely makes them edgy about staying. Make sure to remove the excluder early if the queen is unmated so she can go on her mating flights in due time. Thanks, excellent advice. I thought about using an excluder and didn't. I think I got lucky, today they are bringing in pollen. We luckily don't have hive beetles in Idaho. The closest they got was to Oregon and I believe they have been eradicated there as well. |
You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you’re capable of great violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful, you’re harmless.
Selling dime bags of primers.
Selling dime bags of primers.
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Originally Posted By Cardplayer: Thanks, excellent advice. I thought about using an excluder and didn't. I think I got lucky, today they are bringing in pollen. We luckily don't have hive beetles in Idaho. The closest they got was to Oregon and I believe they have been eradicated there as well. Originally Posted By Cardplayer: Originally Posted By DUX4LIFE: Be careful with the pollen patty this time of the year. They can be breeding grounds for Hive beetles. Also you can place a queen excluder above the bottom board but below the brood box for a few days after catching a swarm. This will let the bees come and go but stop the queen from leaving. I find that closing them up entirely makes them edgy about staying. Make sure to remove the excluder early if the queen is unmated so she can go on her mating flights in due time. Thanks, excellent advice. I thought about using an excluder and didn't. I think I got lucky, today they are bringing in pollen. We luckily don't have hive beetles in Idaho. The closest they got was to Oregon and I believe they have been eradicated there as well. |
I've seen better riots at Walmart on a black Friday - SrBenelli
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Originally Posted By Cardplayer: Thanks, excellent advice. I thought about using an excluder and didn't. I think I got lucky, today they are bringing in pollen. We luckily don't have hive beetles in Idaho. The closest they got was to Oregon and I believe they have been eradicated there as well. How did they eradicate the beetles? |
A Nation of Sheep Breeds a Government of Wolves!!!
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Originally Posted By DUX4LIFE: How did they eradicate the beetles? Originally Posted By DUX4LIFE: Originally Posted By Cardplayer: Thanks, excellent advice. I thought about using an excluder and didn't. I think I got lucky, today they are bringing in pollen. We luckily don't have hive beetles in Idaho. The closest they got was to Oregon and I believe they have been eradicated there as well. How did they eradicate the beetles? Great question. I may be wrong but, I think I read at some point a few years back they were eradicated. On the other hand, I do know Idaho has never seen them. |
You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you’re capable of great violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful, you’re harmless.
Selling dime bags of primers.
Selling dime bags of primers.
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Originally Posted By Cardplayer: Great question. I may be wrong but, I think I read at some point a few years back they were eradicated. On the other hand, I do know Idaho has never seen them. Count your blessings! In Illinois we have hive beetles and corrupt politicians. 
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A Nation of Sheep Breeds a Government of Wolves!!!
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Originally Posted By DUX4LIFE: Count your blessings! In Illinois we have hive beetles and corrupt politicians. Isn't that redundant? I moved to MO before the '08 election just because of that reason. My son still lives in CHI [but moving in a year or so] because when I asked him who he was voting for in the NOV election, ... his reply "Dad, I'm pretty sure I've already voted" |
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Another swarm today. Used a pole chainsaw and cut the 40 ft limb off while standing on a ladder. I put a box underneath and it fell almost dead center on the box. I found the queen on top and she scurried into the box. I tried to catch her but she was to fast so I left her alone. I propped a lid on top and am currently waiting for all the bees to go inside and tonight I'll tape the box up and bring them home. 2 swarms this year so far.   |
You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you’re capable of great violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful, you’re harmless.
Selling dime bags of primers.
Selling dime bags of primers.
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Neighbor called me up, one of her hives swarmed and if I came and got it, I could keep it. So I did. Sketchy ladder work in a pine tree, but it went smoothly. They are going gangbusters. |
You should move to the right lane, where the rule of vehicle and traffic law still exists. You will not survive here. You are not a wolf, and the left lane is the land of wolves now.
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While I no longer work bees.. (used to do all field work for 1000+ hives over 40+ yrs ago).. I most definitely have a true respect and admiration for anyone that works honey bees. It's a fascinating and painful job. I thought swarms were a trip. It's amazing, to me, that if a queen was not good for the hive.. Then, occasionally the bees would create their own queen, or queens in a hive. Some hives would even have 8 or more areas of the royal jelly cocoons where the queens grew until hatching.. Then it was either total war in the hives, as several of the bees would unite / rebel and lots of dead bees. Or they would swarm, and haul ass, to a tree branch waiting to be collected. |
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Holy crap that's a nice swarm! 
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Nobody ever wakes me at 2 in the morning telling me that my grass is out on the highway.~~Radiopat
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
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Originally Posted By DUX4LIFE: Be careful with the pollen patty this time of the year. They can be breeding grounds for Hive beetles. Also you can place a queen excluder above the bottom board but below the brood box for a few days after catching a swarm. This will let the bees come and go but stop the queen from leaving. I find that closing them up entirely makes them edgy about staying. Make sure to remove the excluder early if the queen is unmated so she can go on her mating flights in due time. Great advice!!! |
Nobody ever wakes me at 2 in the morning telling me that my grass is out on the highway.~~Radiopat
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
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Originally Posted By DUX4LIFE: Count your blessings! In Illinois we have hive beetles and corrupt politicians. The politicians are worse. At least the beetles are honest about their goals. 
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Nobody ever wakes me at 2 in the morning telling me that my grass is out on the highway.~~Radiopat
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
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Well, it finally happened. I finally got around to marking this years queens and was on my 2nd hive, found her and she shot to the edge of the frame and flew. I watched her leave in slow motion. Although I do love to watch queens move about on the frame, this time I wasn't screwing around and she shot out like a cannon. I looked for her for a bit in the grass and later that night in the dark hoping workers would find her and nothing. Well she was a 2 year queen and she didn't seem to be laying a great of a pattern so, I'm not completely disappointed in myself. It's still a gross feeling. Not wasting time, about 100am I combined the hive with another small hive with a good queen with the newspaper method. To end the night I got stung on the neck under my ear and decided I'd had enough. |
You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you’re capable of great violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful, you’re harmless.
Selling dime bags of primers.
Selling dime bags of primers.
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Originally Posted By Cardplayer: Well, it finally happened. I finally got around to marking this years queens and was on my 2nd hive, found her and she shot to the edge of the frame and flew. I watched her leave in slow motion. Although I do love to watch queens move about on the frame, this time I wasn't screwing around and she shot out like a cannon. I looked for her for a bit in the grass and later that night in the dark hoping workers would find her and nothing. Well she was a 2 year queen and she didn't seem to be laying a great of a pattern so, I'm not completely disappointed in myself. It's still a gross feeling. Not wasting time, about 100am I combined the hive with another small hive with a good queen with the newspaper method. To end the night I got stung on the neck under my ear and decided I'd had enough. Not one of the better days in beekeeping. 
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Nobody ever wakes me at 2 in the morning telling me that my grass is out on the highway.~~Radiopat
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
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I have tried the two frame nucs for starting queens and have had some success with them. The key is to use a good frame of resources, and brood with new eggs. Shake a frame of nurse bees in, and add a frame with only foundation and leave them alone. It will take them about six weeks to get her hatched and bred and laying. I was impatient on one and may have dumped a new queen in a box already queen right. We are having a wet spring with wildflowers everywhere. I don't know if it will extend the nectar flow or not, but I'm running out of supers, frames, and foundation. I was not ready for this heavy of a spring flow. |
I've seen better riots at Walmart on a black Friday - SrBenelli
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Last week I ordered a queen for my hopelessly queenless hive. They were unsuccessful in raising a queen from a donated frame of eggs and larvae. They had been queenless for 3+wks after the hive apparently swarmed, and I didn't want them to get stuck with a laying worker. Friday morning I set the cage on top of the inner cover opening. Within a minute, it was being examined by a couple bees and several more soon after that. I placed the cage beside the last remaining capped brood in the box from the donated frame, candy plug exposed. Sealed then up and left them alone until this morning. When I opened the hive, and removed the cage, I was pleased to see the queen had been released. I'll know next week if she's laying well. (Bought a mated queen) |
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I'M BAAACK! I got involved in beekeeping some years ago; got a new hive started in 2020 and had some trouble working the hive because of my bad hip. Then a really cold winter came and killed off my hive. I left the hive until better years came by and I was able to work it. Money problems plus recovery from surgery kept me from establishing a new hive. Yesterday my son came in and said "There's bees in your hive!" I went out this morning and sure 'nuff there's a few bees crawling through the opening. I'm gonna suit up and open the hive, probably put some sugar water or even honey water for them to eat. It's probably a swarmed hive, I don't know if they're wild or not; would bees from a kept hive be more used to being handled? Happy day in the Symptoms household! I realized how much I missed working them; I just wanna hold them and scratch their little antenna and bring them to bed with me! My wife missed them, maybe even more than I did. She's got a green thumb and is concerned about sustainability. She's always loving on any bees she sees in her garden. . Question: would it be better to let them be for a few days? One of the reasons I couldn't work the hive was that an ash tree fell on the hive. I have to cut it away with a chainsaw and move the branches. |
"The Creator may be seen in all the works of his hands, but none so clearly in the wise economy of the honey bee."
Ungracefully surrendering the things of youth...
Ungracefully surrendering the things of youth...
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I would cut the tree up to get it away from the hive and inspect the box for damage. If they are in there, they have made it their home. I might open the lid to peek in. You may have gotten wax moths. They destroy wax and leave a big mess. If you have extra frames, I would take them with you when you inspect. Do you have neighbors who are keepers? Feral hives are more protective of their hive. Smoke is always a good first step. I have several rowdy hives, only one of them feral. They tend to be more vigorous than domestic strains. They may also be more likely to swarm. Do you have an extra hive setup? It is late in the year for swarming, but it is always good to be ready in case they do. I assume your nectar flow is over by now. Feeding light sugar syrup will encourage comb development. Give them a little, repeat, little bit of pollen patty to help them get brood going. Watch for hive beetles. They love pollen patties. If you start building them up now they should be in good shape for winter. ETA: wrong bugs mentioned. |
I've seen better riots at Walmart on a black Friday - SrBenelli
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My honey extractor came in. Vevor 4/8 frame. Finally a motor driven extractor. Attached File |
I've seen better riots at Walmart on a black Friday - SrBenelli
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I pulled 13 boxes today. The feral hives were all over my setup while I tried to extract. Attached File |
I've seen better riots at Walmart on a black Friday - SrBenelli
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Originally Posted By rcav8r: No kitchen? |
I've seen better riots at Walmart on a black Friday - SrBenelli
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I was doing the extraction in the basement. But in the summer its too cold, from the AC and just being naturally maybe 10F cooler than the first floor. Last year I had a good bit crystallize before I could bottle it. A couple weeks ago I got an upgarde in a new Maxant powered extractor. I think it can do 3/6, maybe even nine frames. But I haven't tried it yet, there is still a flow here, lots of clover and milkweed yet. |
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Comb honey and plain honey. Emphasis on pure and natural, not filtered, local, etc. In my state, anything more than that requires a commercial kitchen. Not mead, but that's a whole different ball game. |
"You know how butt ugly people are said to have hit every branch on the way down the ugly tree.
Well, the dumbass tree done drilled you in the butt and laid eggs in ya." -RJinks
Well, the dumbass tree done drilled you in the butt and laid eggs in ya." -RJinks
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Originally Posted By shooter_gregg: I wouldn't really bring this sticky mess in the house. We would have ants for months. I am going to clear out part of my shed to finish this batch. I need a longer term solution. The solution to ants is either cinnamon or mint. We had a major ant invasion last year and my wife put some mint sprigs where they came in... they went away! |
"The Creator may be seen in all the works of his hands, but none so clearly in the wise economy of the honey bee."
Ungracefully surrendering the things of youth...
Ungracefully surrendering the things of youth...
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I want to get some bees and have some basic questions. First, how do bees do in deep forests? There are lots of flowering bushes like rhododendron and mountain laurel but were a long way from any row crops or other agriculture beyond a few small cattle farms. How do you figure density? How many hives could an area support? I only want enough for personal consumption and friends and family and don’t want to do more work than necessary. But I’m curious. What do you need to do to keep them alive over the winter? How much protection do they need from wind? I understand they like the hive in a sunny location but the only sunny spots I have on the mountain are at the top and it’s pretty windy. Would I need to excavate some berms around them or something? Can they get too hot? Let’s say I build a partially underground greenhouse and put the hives in that. Would be pretty good in winter but even with all the windows open in summer it would be hot right? Can you raise just one hive or do you really need a couple? |
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Originally Posted By taliv: I want to get some bees and have some basic questions. First, how do bees do in deep forests? There are lots of flowering bushes like rhododendron and mountain laurel but were a long way from any row crops or other agriculture beyond a few small cattle farms. How do you figure density? How many hives could an area support? I only want enough for personal consumption and friends and family and don’t want to do more work than necessary. But I’m curious. What do you need to do to keep them alive over the winter? How much protection do they need from wind? I understand they like the hive in a sunny location but the only sunny spots I have on the mountain are at the top and it’s pretty windy. Would I need to excavate some berms around them or something? Can they get too hot? Let’s say I build a partially underground greenhouse and put the hives in that. Would be pretty good in winter but even with all the windows open in summer it would be hot right? Can you raise just one hive or do you really need a couple? Hives like to be warm. About 95 degrees (inside) is ideal for brood rearing, but they will be fine at 85 in cool weather. Partial shade is fine. Insulation works both ways, so if you can go with a insulated hive style, more insulation on top than sides, that would be fine, or there are various options for adding insulation for winter. The bees will control the temps. Don't worry too much about wind, unless you live on the plains or something. My hives almost all have a stone on the lid. A couple of my layens have hinged peak lids. If you think wind is an issue, use straw bales to build a wind break. |
"You know how butt ugly people are said to have hit every branch on the way down the ugly tree.
Well, the dumbass tree done drilled you in the butt and laid eggs in ya." -RJinks
Well, the dumbass tree done drilled you in the butt and laid eggs in ya." -RJinks
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Harvested 210 pounds so far, I way overestimated that one! My backyard layens hive doesn't have any frames ready for harvest. Almost all of them have brood on bottom, or uncapped cells. The good news is that my langstroth in the backyard almost has all the cells filled, if not capped. I only got like 6 frames from it 2 weeks ago. I still need to check my other apiary. Hopefully the layens there will have some ready to harvest. 4 layens hives out there, including a crowded 14 framer that I would not be surprised if it swarmed. I had to move all my hives at this apiary because the day camp they're at is having some renovations done. Luckily a fellow club member had a tractor, and using some long chains, was able hoist the layens hives, stands and all, to move them. Attached File |
"You know how butt ugly people are said to have hit every branch on the way down the ugly tree.
Well, the dumbass tree done drilled you in the butt and laid eggs in ya." -RJinks
Well, the dumbass tree done drilled you in the butt and laid eggs in ya." -RJinks
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Originally Posted By wakeboarder: Can I use solid stain on new, unfinished boxes? Total noob question  Yes, on the outside. Give it a few days to vent off. |
"You know how butt ugly people are said to have hit every branch on the way down the ugly tree.
Well, the dumbass tree done drilled you in the butt and laid eggs in ya." -RJinks
Well, the dumbass tree done drilled you in the butt and laid eggs in ya." -RJinks
| Apparently, being closed off with window screen for 4 hours in the 70s is enough to suffocate or overheat a hive. Lost 2 that way, and a layens absconded. I must have hundreds of frames at the clean out area I made, between these frames and the and the ones I extracted. |
"You know how butt ugly people are said to have hit every branch on the way down the ugly tree.
Well, the dumbass tree done drilled you in the butt and laid eggs in ya." -RJinks
Well, the dumbass tree done drilled you in the butt and laid eggs in ya." -RJinks
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I got a jar of local honey and left it uncapped by my hive to help them build their winter reserves. My bees ignored it. Does this mean that it's impure honey, i.e. adulterated with HFCS? Ants, earwigs and yellow jackets love it. ETA they are bringing in tons of pollen. |
"The Creator may be seen in all the works of his hands, but none so clearly in the wise economy of the honey bee."
Ungracefully surrendering the things of youth...
Ungracefully surrendering the things of youth...
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Originally Posted By FrankSymptoms: I got a jar of local honey and left it uncapped by my hive to help them build their winter reserves. My bees ignored it. Does this mean that it's impure honey, i.e. adulterated with HFCS? Ants, earwigs and yellow jackets love it. ETA they are bringing in tons of pollen. That is very poor practice as you can potentially be spreading disease (AFB). |
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Originally Posted By shooter_gregg: My honey extractor came in. Vevor 4/8 frame. Finally a motor driven extractor. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/210715/1000002312_jpg-3257071.JPG Nice!
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Nobody ever wakes me at 2 in the morning telling me that my grass is out on the highway.~~Radiopat
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
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Originally Posted By rcav8r: Been doing it in my kitchen for years. Rarely get any drops or spills on the floor. I've got friends who lay down plastic...like 6 mil plastic and tape it down to the floor. It keeps the peace in the house and they just roll it up and toss it after extracting. I will do that if I ever extract again. No matter how careful I was, there was honey on the floor when we were done. |
Nobody ever wakes me at 2 in the morning telling me that my grass is out on the highway.~~Radiopat
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
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Originally Posted By shooter_gregg: What is the best cash crop from honey? Honey itself has a lot of competition. Is there a better alternative? Mead Cosmetics ? I honestly don't think raw unfiltered honey has any competition at all, unless you live in a very bee-centric area. You can charge what you want for that, and people will pay. |
Nobody ever wakes me at 2 in the morning telling me that my grass is out on the highway.~~Radiopat
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
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Originally Posted By rcav8r: Apparently, being closed off with window screen for 4 hours in the 70s is enough to suffocate or overheat a hive. Lost 2 that way, and a layens absconded. I must have hundreds of frames at the clean out area I made, between these frames and the and the ones I extracted. Awww. I'm sorry for that loss.
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Nobody ever wakes me at 2 in the morning telling me that my grass is out on the highway.~~Radiopat
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
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So, I’m in my second year of beekeeping. Learning a bunch the last few months. My first year ended in December with my hive flying the coop. Harvested a couple of gallons of honey they abandoned. Fast forward to this year I got two nucs from my local apiary shop. One hive has gone gangbusters and the other was slow. Had the state apiary inspection and had a good report back in July. I’m in North Lake County, Fl on a 150 acre equestrian facility that my family and I run. Pulled four frames and got 12 lbs. of honey a few weeks ago. Decided to do a Veroa mite check today and I’m right at 3% so I’ll treat for mites. Sad thing is I killed the queen in the hive that was doing poorly. I joined the local county beekeeping club so I am going to seek some advice and try to establish a mentor relationship with a more experienced beekeeper. There was a supersedure cell so maybe they will go ahead and rear a new Queen. There were active larvae so at least she was actively laying eggs. This is all new to me but I’m gaining confidence in what I’m doing. My other hive has always been active and that queen is great. Lots of fun. |
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Originally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs: I've got friends who lay down plastic...like 6 mil plastic and tape it down to the floor. It keeps the peace in the house and they just roll it up and toss it after extracting. I will do that if I ever extract again. No matter how careful I was, there was honey on the floor when we were done. Originally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs: Originally Posted By rcav8r: Been doing it in my kitchen for years. Rarely get any drops or spills on the floor. I've got friends who lay down plastic...like 6 mil plastic and tape it down to the floor. It keeps the peace in the house and they just roll it up and toss it after extracting. I will do that if I ever extract again. No matter how careful I was, there was honey on the floor when we were done. Get a dog - a Lab will eat everything! Dog will clean up the spills, and clean the spout from the bottling bucket pour gate. my Ike is sneaky. He will get some pouring out of the extractor too, if you don’t watch him constantly. He can make it difficult bottling. I usually set the bucket on top of a chest freezer, and set on a big Walmart yeti clone cooler when I bottle. He stands with his front feet on the cooler behind me. But he has ADHD or something, and eventually starts barking right in my ear. So I am lucky if I can do a dozen or a few more bottles in a row before he demands I play with him outside. This was a pretty decent spring harvest for me. I have not done a final tally of how many lbs I got, but I really need to sell some honey. I got more than the last two years for sure, more than what I need for my own use. So far and it’s early into the fall goldenrod flow (and a little knotweed/joepie/ironweed) they are collecting some but not as much as I hoped. But the goldenrod is just starting to flower. I had one of my hives that maybe decided to swarm or leave the hive but only went as far as underneath. Actually had two but the other one seems to have moved on a couple months ago. The other one seemed for sure to have been a swarm as the hive it took up residence under had a queen. Then it moved to the next hive over, underneath of course, and eventually left on its own - it did the same last year but I got to it and put that one in the same boxes above - it had no queen. This one though seems to have just moved underneath, maybe during a hot spell back in early June. When I noticed this one, they had already built up a huge amount of comb. What a mess. I wasn’t sure how I was going to deal with this one, hoping they would move back upstairs as it were. But no. There were always some bees going above and storing some honey and pollen, but the queen never went up. Since there are going to be more cool nights I thought I should at least try to get them into the hive boxes. Since they had so much free standing comb built, and presumably filled with brood, I took the bottom board from a hive that absconded, put it on the bottom, then one of the deep boxes with frames on the bottom, an empty deep box, and then the original screened bottom board with all the comb down inside the empty deep. Then I put I think another deep box and a super above that. There was a LOT of honey in that free comb. I took a couple small pieces as comb honey. Hopefully they get straightened out, but I suspect that empty deep with the comb will still be a mess. I need to watch some DirtRooster videos to see how they deal with cutouts when they collect bees from buildings. Do they just put the comb in empty frames (no plastic foundation)? Bottom side of the bottom board Attached File There was comb inside some of the cinderblocks too. A lot of honey in one. I wasn’t able to weed trim around this hive since the comb was so close to the underside of the bottom board where the blocks weren’t. What a mess Attached File |