New Hobby: Bee Keeping - Page 4

BigAsh · 03-27-2017, 07:18 AM

No gloves?!?....baller....

massphatness · 04-05-2017, 09:22 AM

My girls were due to arrive this Monday, but because of the crazy weather down south (they're coming for Georgia) delivery is being rescheduled. No deets yet, but the extra time will give me an opportunity to practice getting the smoker to work properly.

icehog3 · 04-05-2017, 10:09 AM

MMMM.....smoked ribs with bee sauce.

IBQTEE1 · 04-05-2017, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by massphatness

My girls were due to arrive this Monday, but because of the crazy weather down south (they're coming for Georgia) delivery is being rescheduled. No deets yet, but the extra time will give me an opportunity to practice getting the smoker to work properly.

I will bee down there tomorrow I will check on the ladies. LOL

shilala · 04-06-2017, 12:41 AM

Get your **** together, Vin.
And realize where you fit in the colony.
Otherwise you'll just thunp them into Polanderdom.
I found my books and lecture material if you want to take a look.
Oddly, the guy across the street has about 10 hives. But they're only one frame high.
I worry for the girls. I'm going to go talk to him soon.

massphatness · 04-16-2017, 01:40 PM

The bees arrive tomorrow!

Little bit nervous at the moment - I really don't want to screw this up. Grace is a tad more nervous as she's the one that has to go pick up the package of bees from the apiary.

Made some simple syrup just in case their feed can is empty from the trip. Grace can give them a few squirts while she waits for me to get home.

I've got a single 10-frame deep box ready for the initial install. Will add a second deep box once they've drawn out 7-8 frames of comb.

galaga · 04-16-2017, 02:42 PM

Geez, Vin. Nice box....

Enjoy your new Honeys

AdamJoshua · 04-16-2017, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galaga

Geez, Vin. Nice box....

Enjoy your new Honeys

Phrasing!

I for one would bee remiss if I did not wish our new resident Apiarist the best of luck!

massphatness · 04-17-2017, 02:04 PM

It beegins ...

AdamJoshua · 04-17-2017, 02:31 PM

Holy crap that's a lot of bees! So the queen is separate in there or in another box or something, this is truly fascinating, though only enough to live vicariously through you. You better bee-live it!

CigarNut · 04-17-2017, 02:34 PM

That's awesome, Vin!

Let us know how many times you get stung this week

markem · 04-17-2017, 02:35 PM

That's a sweet setup.

AdamJoshua · 04-17-2017, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markem

That's a sweet setup.

*rim shot*

massphatness · 04-17-2017, 05:18 PM

Not in my wildest dreams did I think this was going to go as easily as it did!

The bees wanted NOTHING to do with me or Grace. They wanted to get into the hive and start making it their home. The sugar syrup and pollen patty didn't hurt, I'm sure, but while there were a lot of them flying around initially, within minutes they were making a, uh, beeline(!) for the hive.

Here's me initially shaking the package of bees into the hive. Literally just dump them in. Some fly around, but most start exploring their new digs.

Here are the bees crawling around the frames. At the far left is a feeder frame that's filled with the sugar syrup. There are little bee ladders that extend down into the feeder so the bees can climb down, gorge on syrup then climb back up. Bees are notoriously bad swimmers and even worse snorklers, so having something for them to hold on to is really important. The syrup provides them with the necessary carbs they need while waiting for the New Engalnd flora to start blooming. That chunk of cake looking thing is a pollen patty. The bees feed on that as well - protein source. Between the syrup and the pollen patty, they've got what they need to fill their little bee bellies and start making honey comb.

The bees clustered around that gap between frames are getting acquainted with their queen. She's in a little queen cage that hangs between the frames. She'll eat her way out of her enclosure over the next few days, and if all goes well, begin ruling over her hive.

massphatness · 04-17-2017, 05:23 PM

The package is almost empty -- will leave it in front of the hive for a bit, and eventually the remaining bees will find their way out and into the hive.

The bees mostly enter and exit the hive via the bottom board. It's here where the guard bees will stand watch (seriously), and it's here where the bees will take out the hive's trash -- such as dead bees.

CigarNut · 04-17-2017, 05:34 PM

Was your queen a part of this hive before they shipped, or is she new to these bees?

Bax · 04-17-2017, 05:46 PM

That's so cool! You can start making your own honey mead next.

massphatness · 04-17-2017, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CigarNut

Was your queen a part of this hive before they shipped, or is she new to these bees?

Both actually.

The queen was shipped with the bees, but she's not "their" queen. Thus the need for the acclimation period.

icehog3 · 04-17-2017, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by massphatness

It beegins ...

ARE THOSE ****ING BEES???

HOLY ****!!!

I'm a little jittery, please excuse my outburst.

massphatness · 04-17-2017, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

ARE THOSE ****ING BEES???

They're all females, so no ****ing at the moment

Posted via Mobile Device

03-27-2017, 07:18 AM	#61
BigAsh Don't knock the Ash... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Keith Location: Yardley, PA Posts: 5,046 Trading: (46)	Re: New Hobby: Bee Keeping No gloves?!?....baller.... __________________ Keith

04-05-2017, 09:22 AM	#62
massphatness Where's my buffaloooo ... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Vin Location: MassHolia Posts: 12,690 Trading: (206)	Re: New Hobby: Bee Keeping My girls were due to arrive this Monday, but because of the crazy weather down south (they're coming for Georgia) delivery is being rescheduled. No deets yet, but the extra time will give me an opportunity to practice getting the smoker to work properly. __________________ *Help Support The Navy SEAL Foundation: HERE*

04-05-2017, 10:09 AM	#63
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,251 Trading: (60)	Re: New Hobby: Bee Keeping MMMM.....smoked ribs with bee sauce. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

04-06-2017, 12:41 AM	#65
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: New Hobby: Bee Keeping Get your **** together, Vin. And realize where you fit in the colony. Otherwise you'll just thunp them into Polanderdom. I found my books and lecture material if you want to take a look. Oddly, the guy across the street has about 10 hives. But they're only one frame high. I worry for the girls. I'm going to go talk to him soon. __________________

04-16-2017, 01:40 PM	#66
massphatness Where's my buffaloooo ... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Vin Location: MassHolia Posts: 12,690 Trading: (206)	Re: New Hobby: Bee Keeping The bees arrive tomorrow! Little bit nervous at the moment - I really don't want to screw this up. Grace is a tad more nervous as she's the one that has to go pick up the package of bees from the apiary. Made some simple syrup just in case their feed can is empty from the trip. Grace can give them a few squirts while she waits for me to get home. I've got a single 10-frame deep box ready for the initial install. Will add a second deep box once they've drawn out 7-8 frames of comb. __________________ *Help Support The Navy SEAL Foundation: HERE*

04-16-2017, 02:42 PM	#67
galaga Just call me Slappy. Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,832 Trading: (3)	Re: New Hobby: Bee Keeping Geez, Vin. Nice box.... Enjoy your new Honeys __________________ I may be easy, but I'm sure as hell ain't cheap....

04-17-2017, 02:04 PM	#69
massphatness Where's my buffaloooo ... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Vin Location: MassHolia Posts: 12,690 Trading: (206)	Re: New Hobby: Bee Keeping It beegins ... __________________ *Help Support The Navy SEAL Foundation: HERE*

04-17-2017, 02:31 PM	#70
AdamJoshua Article 4 Free Inhabitant Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: The Other Adam Location: Satellite Beach Posts: 14,787 Trading: (40)	Re: New Hobby: Bee Keeping Holy crap that's a lot of bees! So the queen is separate in there or in another box or something, this is truly fascinating, though only enough to live vicariously through you. You better bee-live it!

04-17-2017, 02:34 PM	#71
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: New Hobby: Bee Keeping That's awesome, Vin! Let us know how many times you get stung this week __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

04-17-2017, 02:35 PM	#72
markem Bunion Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Second Star on the Right Posts: 22,621 Trading: (47)	Re: New Hobby: Bee Keeping That's a sweet setup. __________________ I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member. ~ Groucho Marx

04-17-2017, 05:18 PM	#74
massphatness Where's my buffaloooo ... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Vin Location: MassHolia Posts: 12,690 Trading: (206)	Re: New Hobby: Bee Keeping Not in my wildest dreams did I think this was going to go as easily as it did! The bees wanted NOTHING to do with me or Grace. They wanted to get into the hive and start making it their home. The sugar syrup and pollen patty didn't hurt, I'm sure, but while there were a lot of them flying around initially, within minutes they were making a, uh, beeline(!) for the hive. Here's me initially shaking the package of bees into the hive. Literally just dump them in. Some fly around, but most start exploring their new digs. Here are the bees crawling around the frames. At the far left is a feeder frame that's filled with the sugar syrup. There are little bee ladders that extend down into the feeder so the bees can climb down, gorge on syrup then climb back up. Bees are notoriously bad swimmers and even worse snorklers, so having something for them to hold on to is really important. The syrup provides them with the necessary carbs they need while waiting for the New Engalnd flora to start blooming. That chunk of cake looking thing is a pollen patty. The bees feed on that as well - protein source. Between the syrup and the pollen patty, they've got what they need to fill their little bee bellies and start making honey comb. The bees clustered around that gap between frames are getting acquainted with their queen. She's in a little queen cage that hangs between the frames. She'll eat her way out of her enclosure over the next few days, and if all goes well, begin ruling over her hive. __________________ *Help Support The Navy SEAL Foundation: HERE*

04-17-2017, 05:23 PM	#75
massphatness Where's my buffaloooo ... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Vin Location: MassHolia Posts: 12,690 Trading: (206)	Re: New Hobby: Bee Keeping The package is almost empty -- will leave it in front of the hive for a bit, and eventually the remaining bees will find their way out and into the hive. The bees mostly enter and exit the hive via the bottom board. It's here where the guard bees will stand watch (seriously), and it's here where the bees will take out the hive's trash -- such as dead bees. __________________ *Help Support The Navy SEAL Foundation: HERE*

04-17-2017, 05:34 PM	#76
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: New Hobby: Bee Keeping Was your queen a part of this hive before they shipped, or is she new to these bees? __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

04-17-2017, 05:46 PM	#77
Bax C A P S...CAPS CAPS CAPS! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tim Location: Ringgold,GA Posts: 2,173 Trading: (70)	Re: New Hobby: Bee Keeping That's so cool! You can start making your own honey mead next. __________________ I'm the most interesting man in the world... but only if you find stupid stuff really interesting.