| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| MeadowCrone |
Posted - Jan 19 2010 : 12:34:00 PM
Could we start a stickie on Bees, please?
If you do Bees, please tell me your favorite place for supplies and information.
Gratefully living on the "fat of the land". |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| edlund33 |
Posted - Sep 21 2010 : 8:52:13 PM
How are everyone's bees doing? I hope everyone got plenty of honey this year!
I didn't have quite enough honey to harvest this season but my hive is healthy and strong. Best part is they have stored up enough of their own honey to make it through the winter without me having to feed them sugar syrup.
I've been reading about the various ways to ventilate hives during the winter. How do you ladies do this? Also, do you leave your screened bottom board on year round, or do you switch to a solid bottom board for the winter?
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 |
| edlund33 |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 9:36:53 PM
My mentor uses escape boards to clear the bees from his honey supers before harvest. The board looks like an inner cover but it has special openings on it that allow the bees to leave the honey supers but not get back into them. He puts them between the queen excluder and the honey supers when it is harvest time. This process takes a few days to clear out all the bees but seems to be very effective at removing most bees from the 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 - Jul 29 2010 : 3:12:26 PM
Thanks for the advice. The members of our beekeepers' club are divided. Some treat for varroa mites and some don't. I tried the powdered sugar method but it was near impossible to find powdered sugar without cornstarch as an additive. Plus I hated disturbing the bees every week (I was told you must do it consistently for 8 weeks). I have 2 healthy hives and have not seen many mites on the bees, drone larvae or bottom board so I am undecided about treating. I know what you mean about those YouTube videos, Michele! My honey frames are loaded with bees. It will take more than a shake to get them off. I think I'm going to try an escape board. Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 3:13:10 PM
Congratulations Michele on your first harvest! I'm so glad you didn't get stung and it looks like you got oodles of honey too.
Now dear cousin, what do you plan to do with all that honey?
Dawn in IL |
| windypines |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 10:59:00 AM
Getting the bees off of the frames was challenging. I "shook" some off, you know how they say to do it. Then I brushed the remaining ones. I had so many bees are the frames, not like the ones I had watched on you tube. But I got them all off, and cut out the comb, into a bucket. Then took it in the house to crush and strain. I did not heat my honey. I guess that is important to some. I let it sit and strain for a couple days. Then I washed the wax, and melted it. I plan to talk to my mentor about treating for mites or anything this fall. This is my first year.
Michele |
| becky_scripter |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 10:34:12 AM
TO remove bees from a frame isnt easy- I do know brushing them away with a soft bee brush takes most and to BLOW with your breath moves them because they do not like the carbon dioxide. Using a nylon in a mason jar to clean the left bees,is the old fashion way But when you are working a large hive you might resort to heating the honey to 140 degrees to seperate the wax and honey easier. I havent harvested honey BUT i have all this information all lined up to do so!! |
| becky_scripter |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 10:24:35 AM
Dianne i went to MSU Beekeepers seminar in March and I understand most beekeepers treat for Varroa mites or lose their bees. I am working two Nuc hives from Michigan beekeeper and two Italian queen hives from California. Suggestions were to use the powder sugar method- the idea is blow the sugar on the bee colony and they will clean off the sugar and the mite. You have to purchase a sugar blower. Then in the fall after ALL honey is harvested use a mite insecticide and screen bottomboard-- collect 50 bees ina jar and inspect for desease. |
| textilelover |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 04:05:14 AM
Can you help? How do you remove frames of honey loaded with bees? We have always left the honey in the hives for our bees to overwinter. However, one of our hives has a full deep dripping with honey (my husband could barely lift it). We want to remove some frames of honey to give to another hive and to use ourselves (there is more in the supers of the loaded hive). Also, does anyone treat for varroa mite in the late summer and how? We're trying to remain organic. Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
| windypines |
Posted - Jul 27 2010 : 09:05:47 AM
I have all medium hive boxes. Went with one size, for something lighter and easy to switch around. So far the bees have done amazing on building comb on foundationless frames. I can't believe how fast they can fill a box with comb. I have 8 frames in a box also.
Michele |
| edlund33 |
Posted - Jul 26 2010 : 6:55:35 PM
Michele - are your honey frames deeps or mediums? That's awesome that you got that much honey from just 6 frames!
My bees are building comb in the second brood box like crazy. Yesterday it looked like the queen had started laying eggs in the new box because there were zillions of workers on one frame.
I put the queen excluder and medium honey supers on a few days ago hoping to encourage them to start stocking up their winter stores. I'm hoping to get a little bit of honey this fall, but since I have a new hive and they got a late start because of our nasty spring weather I will have to wait to see if they have any extra to share with me.
I've had really bum results with Dadant and Betterbee, too. When - on the rare occasion that - they do have an order in stock, the shipping still takes forever and a day. I'm talking 2 weeks plus. My favorite supplier on the west coast is Ruhl Bee Supply in Portland, OR. They ship very quickly so I normally receive my order within one or two business days. If they don't have something in stock they will call and work with you to find a substitution rather than just leaving you hanging in limbo for months on end.
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 - Jul 26 2010 : 6:19:09 PM
I did harvest 6 frames of honey from one hive box. I got over a gallon and a half. Wow it is amazing. They are still building comb, by leaps and bounds. The goldenrod is getting ready to bloom soon. Hoping to harvest another hive box. But wanting to make sure they bees have plenty first.
Becky, Hi, Living so close to a supply store, but still having to order, bummer.
Michele |
| becky_scripter |
Posted - Jul 24 2010 : 1:44:53 PM
So happy to read beekeepers chat. Now that summer is moving full tilt the bees are working hard to make the honey for their winter keep. We felt fortunate to have a Dandant supply store in Albion Michigan just 15 min from where I live. Unfortunatly the last two times we have needed supers they have not had any in stock! So i will go on line and order Brushy mountian supplies.Augh! I hope the bees know the mail runs late! |
| windypines |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 03:37:16 AM
today is the day, to harvest some honey. I am planning on leaving 4 med. hive boxes, maybe 5. Depending on how the fall goes. I did get a bucket with a honey gate,and set of strainers. I thought it would be easier, then trying to dip and fill jars!
Michele |
| textilelover |
Posted - Jul 18 2010 : 12:32:32 PM
Both of our hives seem to be doing well but one seems "honey-bound" so I'm going to put another deep between the first and second box. I had to wait for hubby to build and paint it. How many frames of honey do you leave for your bees for the winter? Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
| windypines |
Posted - Jul 18 2010 : 05:28:25 AM
I will be harvesting some honey here soon. I do have two boxes full of honey. So this should be interesting. I am going to crush and strain. So I will check each frame over to make sure there are no eggs. I don't have a queen excluder. It seems like my hive is just packed full of bees. Since this is my first year, I really don't know what to expect. It sure has been interseting.
Michele |
| edlund33 |
Posted - Jul 17 2010 : 2:38:28 PM
My bees are doing very well. They love their new home at the farm and have been enjoying the sunny warm days we've had here for the past three weeks. I peeked in on them a few days ago and they have now started building out the comb in the second brood box I added. I'll be placing my queen excluder and honey super to the stack next weekend. It is so fun to sit and watch them come and go from the hive!
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 |
| mi.bees |
Posted - Jul 16 2010 : 4:06:41 PM
Ditto Meddings...I have been keeping bees for 6 years and the 8 frame super is much easier to move around. I do not use any chemicals in my hive either. I quit using a smoker several years ago and in place of the smoker I use a hand held sprayer with a mixture of honey and water. I spray the bees with the sweetened water and they love it! The bees start cleaning the sweet mixture off themselves and each other. I believe that when the bees clean themselves they also help eliminate mites. You can see mites on the bees with a magnifying glass. I usually take my camera with me and use a macro lens to photograph some of the bees and enlarge the picture to look for mites on my bees. I am harvesting honey with weekend. I do use a queen excluder as I have had eggs and honey mixed in my 4th super. I love my bees and enjoy watching them! Happy Beekeeping farmgals!
I've got a farmgal in Kalamazoo. |
| textilelover |
Posted - Jul 14 2010 : 4:50:26 PM
How are everyone's bees doing? No one has posted in a long time? Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
| Farmtopia |
Posted - Jun 13 2010 : 1:34:01 PM
Hey Marilyn...a vinegar wash (white vinegar) is what I use to clean. I also have used a baking soda/vinegar slurry--both are relatively non toxic to bees (unlike cleaners/soaps,etc) to clean the top bar, but I find I have to keep rinsing the baking soda with plain water because it sometimes leaves white residue and this residue also turns the sugar water very chalky/sour tasting to the bees. Just add vinegar, let sit/swish around in areas you need to kill mold, clean...about 1/2 hour let sit, then rinse well. Usually does the trick for me!
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
View My Work:
art/dolls: www.vagabondcreations.blogspot.com
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View the blog and radio show!
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NEXT RADIO SHOW:
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http://therenegadefarmer.com/ |
| edlund33 |
Posted - Jun 13 2010 : 08:14:35 AM
Thanks for the suggestions ladies! The weather here has finally returned to something more normal for this time of the year - dry and temps in the low 70's. We've had two days of dry weather with some sunbreaks and are looking forward to a few more before the next storm blows through. The bees are buzzing around packing home nectar and pollen like crazy. The blackberries started blooming this week so they are enjoying the new forage opportunities.
Zan - how do you clean your wooden hive-top feeder? Here Renton/Seattle we don't have many deep freezes during the winter. As a result mold and mildew grow on everything. I have trouble with mold growing in my hummingbird feeders during the winter so am assuming there would be a similar concern for the hive. Or do the bees keep it cleaned off?
P.J. - I wondered about the frame feeders but was a little worried about the bees drowning because every catalog I looked at mentioned that. Floating sticks or straw on the surface is a really good idea. I have seen the Honey B Healthy in several beekeeping catalogs. I've considered ordering it and it's nice to know that someone else has been using it with success. I think I will experiment with spraying plain water the next time I open my hive.
I ended up buying a bucket feeder and a boardman feeder. The bucket feeder leaks with 1:1 sugar syrup (but not 2:1) so I have been using the boardman. So far no problems with robbing but will continue to keep an eye on it. Now that the blackberries are in bloom I will gradually stop the syrup feeding unless the rain and cold temps continue to be a problem.
Well, I'm off to spend the day working in our garden. Yay!
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 - Jun 13 2010 : 04:41:44 AM
My hive has turned to being more protective now. I am going to have to get the smoker out and learn how to use it. It has been raining alot here now, so have not checked the hive for about a week. I just look at the hive everyday, and the girls are busy. I used a boardman feeder. It worked well, and I didn't see any robbing problems. I have all medium hive boxes, so have not found a frame feeder for them.
Michele |
| wildatheartfarmgirl |
Posted - Jun 10 2010 : 09:14:54 AM
Good grief...hope the rain stops for you...I use a frame feeder...the one that fits down into the hive like a frame. The top bucket feeder types are suppose to be good and you don't disturb the hive when you feed. However, I learned that it is important to check on your hive so you know what's going on in there. It does use up room for a frame. With the wasps around (I have them too) I wouldn't use the boardman feeder (mason jar upside down in front of hive although I have used it in past times). As far as bees drowning, I simply pull up some weeds from around the hive yard and lay them on top of the sugar water in the frame feeder to give the bees something to land on so they don't drown) Sticks, whatever is around.
I barely smoke my bees as they are very gentle...just to let them know I am opening up the hive and see what kind of mood they are in. Plain old water used sparingly in a plant spray bottle works fine. Some add a little cider vinegar and essential oils. I have used sugar water in a spray bottle when I hived several swarms to keep their minds off of me while I dumped them into their new homes. Never used it while working the hives though.
Yes I have heard of adding essential oils to their feed. There is this wonderful supplement called Honey B Healthy that has lemongrass and speriment(?)in it and I supplement their feed spring and fall with it. Suppose to be very good for them. Hope this helps and hope it stops raining soon.
P.J. Robertson Farmgirl #886
http://wildatheartfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
wildcreekcabin@aol.com |
| Farmtopia |
Posted - Jun 03 2010 : 5:12:35 PM
Marilyn, I suggest if you get a top feeder, make sure its the wood kind. Plastic warps and doesnt sit even at times on the top of the hives. Even then, we've advised people on them; sometimes the bees end up drowning in the sugar water. I like the top feeders myself, but I've used the good ole mason jar outside feeders as well, with little problems with robbing. Of course, I live in the city, so perhaps not as much insect competition as open pasturelands, so not sure what to advise you there.
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
View My Work:
art/dolls: www.vagabondcreations.blogspot.com
The Horse Drawn Project and Farming!
www.beyondvagabond.blogspot.com
View the blog and radio show!
Renegade Farming!: www.therenegadefarmer.com
NEXT RADIO SHOW:
JUNE 6th 6pm EST "Coop" author Mike Perry!
http://therenegadefarmer.com/ |
| edlund33 |
Posted - Jun 02 2010 : 8:04:15 PM
Welcome P.J. I'm glad you found us! You are right - a flooded bee hive was definitely not the first kind of problem I was expecting to encounter! It rained hard last night and all day today so I checked on my hive again tonight. With the new cover they are all cozy, dry and happy now. Thank goodness! They had carried off every last drop of the syrup I left them so I filled up the container again.
What type of feeders do you ladies use? I think I'm leaning towards a bucket feeder or a top feeder but wonder what those of you who have experience prefer. I'm thinking an internal feeder will be best for me as we do have alot of yellow jackets during the summertime on the property where my bees are. And the ants have also discovered the new candy shop on their block so they are constantly on the march, too.
And one more question - does anyone use sugar syrup spray instead of smoke to work their bees on a regular basis? I have asthma so I'm just wondering if this would be a good long-term method. I've also read that some people add essential oils to their sugar syrup. I'm not certain what benefit that has but maybe something to do with calming the bees or disrupting their pheromone sensing?
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 |
| wildatheartfarmgirl |
Posted - Jun 02 2010 : 6:13:55 PM
Marilyn...just read your entry....good grief on the bee hive flood...everytime we turn around we learn something new huh...glad your little bees made it ok. I remember feeling just like you..."book info overload" and of course everyone has their own way of doing things.......it does seem that gettin' in the hive makes the books make more sense...little by little we're all gonna get it!
P.J. Robertson Farmgirl #886
http://wildatheartfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
wildcreekcabin@aol.com |
