low riderr
New member
just wondering if anyone else is crazy enough to keep bees? i just acquired 2 hives this past week.
ot honey bees
- Thread starter low riderr
- Start date
I started this past spring. I didn't get to harvest any honey this year though. I think I'm going to move them into a sunnier spot if I can find one.
Did you buy active hives, or get cut-outs, or what were they?
Here is an archived thread I started last fall.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-2101190.html
Here's a link to my beekeeping folder on photobucket.
http://s160.beta.photobucket.com/user/NirvanaFan01234/library/Beekeeping
Did you buy active hives, or get cut-outs, or what were they?
Here is an archived thread I started last fall.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-2101190.html
Here's a link to my beekeeping folder on photobucket.
http://s160.beta.photobucket.com/user/NirvanaFan01234/library/Beekeeping
Last edited:
low riderr
New member
they are active,with 3 brood boxes each. so i should be able to harvest my first season.the one is a russian cross and the other is carniolan.they seem to be on the passive side as the prior keeper poped the tops for a sneak peek.we had no protection as neither of us was wearing protective gear and we didnt get stung. the bees really didnt mind us there at all. what type of bees do you have? from what i have read its not uncommon to not have much honey the first year of a new hive. do you intend to add more hives? nice pics.
I didn't feed them enough in the spring to REALLY get them going. Each hive has 2 full deeps now, so they should be good for winter. I'll put some sugar out for them and they'll use it as needed.
To be honest, I'm not really sure what I have. I think they are carniolans, but I'm not 100% sure. I used gloves when I hived them, but that was the only time. Now I just use my jacket and veil. Move slow, watch where you grab, and try not to be too nervous. I didn't get stung once this year.
I was thinking about adding another hive, but I'm not really sure I'll need it. If I get an average amount of honey out of each hive, it will be enough for my immediate family, parents, and brothers and sisters. I've thought about adding a hive at home, here in Rochester, but the wife really isn't on board with the idea. The two hives I have are at my parents in Bristol. There is a wild colony in one of the trees down the street from me. When you walk by the tree, you can hear the buzzing from the sidewalk.
In the Spring, I may do splits of each colony. 4 hives would be the max I would want though. That would give me enough colonies where if one or two died over the winter, I would be able to split and not be out of bees. As you know, they're too expensive to keep replacing!
To be honest, I'm not really sure what I have. I think they are carniolans, but I'm not 100% sure. I used gloves when I hived them, but that was the only time. Now I just use my jacket and veil. Move slow, watch where you grab, and try not to be too nervous. I didn't get stung once this year.
I was thinking about adding another hive, but I'm not really sure I'll need it. If I get an average amount of honey out of each hive, it will be enough for my immediate family, parents, and brothers and sisters. I've thought about adding a hive at home, here in Rochester, but the wife really isn't on board with the idea. The two hives I have are at my parents in Bristol. There is a wild colony in one of the trees down the street from me. When you walk by the tree, you can hear the buzzing from the sidewalk.
In the Spring, I may do splits of each colony. 4 hives would be the max I would want though. That would give me enough colonies where if one or two died over the winter, I would be able to split and not be out of bees. As you know, they're too expensive to keep replacing!
low riderr
New member
same here as far as the mrs. goes. her words(and just where do you plan on putting them) in her most sarcastic tone of voice. cant wait till she finds out i am also gonna do maple syrup.or at least try it. lol
cardiffgiant
Active member
My step father has kept bees for at least 30 years. He's been through mite infestations, foul brood, and other issues. There are a number of years that he hasn't harvested, but the years that he has have produced the secret ingredient to my bbq ribs.
It's a cool hobby. Much like this hobby, it can get expensive and will require a lot of patience.
It's a cool hobby. Much like this hobby, it can get expensive and will require a lot of patience.
Low rider, I was going to do maple syrup this past year, but the weather didn't cooperate. We didn't really get the optimal weather for more than a few days in a row. I've got 25 taps, a perfect place to boil, and enough buckets. I just have to get a good pan and the right weather!
low riderr
New member
what are you using for buckets? are they empty salt buckets?
I have an (basically) unlimited supply of milk jugs, so I'm going to go with them. 3 gallon containers would be ideal, but I'm not going to buy containers, especially 15 or 25 of them. I'm still not sure how many taps I want to put out. How many taps were you going to put out?
low riderr
New member
i dont know how many taps i should start with, i would like to end up with about 5 gal. when finished.that is probably a lot for the first year.ideally i want to use tubing to collect the sap as i live near the base of a good sized hill.it might cost a bit more but would save a boat load of time and energy.what type of taps are you using. and where do you get your supplies? so far ive been looking at stuff from agway but i am betting there are better places to get suppies
I found a good deal on taps on eBay. Going with tubing would be awesome, but is definitely more expensive to start. 5 gallons of syrup would require about 200 gallons of sap.
Have you looked at prices of tubing? Where have you found the best deal?
Have you looked at prices of tubing? Where have you found the best deal?
low riderr
New member
heres an update for those interested,just picked up a new hive body will assemble this weekend in preperation for the nuc i ordered.this should give me three active hives this summer.pics to follow
