| Author |
Barnyard Buddies:  All things Bees  |
|
MeadowCrone
True Blue Farmgirl
220 Posts
Bernadine
Island Park and Salem
ID
USA
220 Posts |
 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". |
|
|
windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4538 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4538 Posts |
Posted - Jan 19 2010 : 1:33:53 PM
|
I jsut ordered my first hive, and equipment. Coming from Mann Lake ltd. Very helpful.
I did join the bee source forum, and have alot of helpful emails from a bee keeper 40 miles east of me. I have also done alot of reading online, and checking out library books.
Michele |
 |
|
|
MeadowCrone
True Blue Farmgirl
220 Posts
Bernadine
Island Park and Salem
ID
USA
220 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2010 : 10:52:35 AM
|
Where is that forum at Michelle?
Gratefully living on the "fat of the land". |
|
|
|
cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2010 : 5:43:42 PM
|
I have a few pieces of equipment and am on a waiting list with a wildlife rescue guy. He removes hives from places people don't want them and then will bring them to someone who does. I am so looking forward to starting a new project!
I'd love more information.
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
|
|
|
windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4538 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4538 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2010 : 11:08:41 AM
|
Beesource.com
Google that and you should come up with it. It is fun to read the posted questions, that pertain to my situation.
I got my hive boxes, and frames the next day after I ordered it. Wow. I just set some together, and pretty cool. I am going to try to modify a few things, with direction from a mentor. A better vent system for the hive. I am going foundationless, and use the crush and strain method of harvesting honey. I am excited, and scared to get the bees. Don't want to be stung!
Catherine, I hope you can get some bees soon too!
Should be interesting!
Michele |
|
|
|
Kayce
True Blue Farmgirl
290 Posts
Kayce
Sebring
FL
USA
290 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2010 : 1:01:45 PM
|
I got some stuff from Mann Lake. Great resource. I got an existing hive that wasnt very strong from a local keeper. (very busy, he is never available) Im very gracious for the bees. Locals seem to be tight with any info. I dont get that but oh well.
Our hive is strong and we tried to get surplus honey but we messed up and put the queen excluder on too long. boo I will know better next flow.
I dont use the suit. Just veil and gloves, long sleeve shirt and jeans. I have not been stung yet. My son has only once cause he didnt wear the shirt I told him too.
WooHoo, more bee people. I'm lovin MJconnection
~Kayce~
Check out PenPals for FarmKids http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=38599 |
|
|
|
Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2010 : 1:23:34 PM
|
Dadant.com and Betterbee.com are good online supply resources.
Information: Mama and Grandpa 
~*~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: Jan 24th ~ James Talmage Stevens, author of "Making the Best of Basics: Family Preparedness Handbook"
|
Edited by - Farmtopia on Jan 21 2010 1:24:35 PM |
|
|
|
windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4538 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4538 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2010 : 1:03:12 PM
|
I have read so much about not using a queen excluder so going to try without one. I wish I had family memebers to learn from. That would be so nice. But my online mentor is very helpful, and just says what works for him, and I make my own decisions. I figure if it works for someone in my neck of the woods, it should work for me.
Michele |
|
|
|
textilelover
True Blue Farmgirl
557 Posts
Dianne
Middletown
NY
USA
557 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2010 : 3:39:31 PM
|
Hi...I have 2 hives on 1 acre in the Hudson Valley in NY. We belong to the local beekeeper's association where we meet the most interesting people and learn many different ways to keep bees. It's probably best to find a local mentor, as beekeeping varies from region to region. The most important thing is to learn to "listen" to your bees. They will tell you what they need, like, etc. The running joke in our club is that if you ask 10 beekeepers how to properly keep bees, you'll get 11 different answers! If you're from the northeast, let me know. Good luck. Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
|
|
|
magnoliakathy
True Blue Farmgirl
453 Posts
Kathryn
Magnolia
Texas
USA
453 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2010 : 1:39:32 PM
|
I use Mann, Dadant and Brushy Mountain, compare prices and shipping for the best deal. We use a queen excluder,because we left ours off once and two weeks later when we were working the hive we found eggs in our honey super, it hurt to remove those frames and destroy those bee eggs. Hubby and both work our hive together, I keep the records and tell him when we need to do stuff. We both have veils, he has a jacket, I wear long sleeves. We have a picnic table under a tree about 20 feet from our hive and I enjoy sitting there and watching the girls go back and forth, listening to the hum.
When you free your mind your heart can fly. Farmgirl # 714, |
|
|
|
Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2010 : 7:54:20 PM
|
Hmm, Michelle, it's kinda tricky with the queen excluder. I think by nature the bees will stop laying eggs after the first two deeps, and allow for just the honey flow in the upper box. Sometimes the queen does get in there, though, and can lay some rouge eggs with will mess with the harvesting--which is why I think people use the excluder. But there were no excluders when my grandpa had his bee business in the 30's and I've not heard any stories of not being able to harvest honey...
~*~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: Jan 24th ~ James Talmage Stevens, author of "Making the Best of Basics: Family Preparedness Handbook"
|
|
|
|
Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
|
|
MeadowCrone
True Blue Farmgirl
220 Posts
Bernadine
Island Park and Salem
ID
USA
220 Posts |
|
|
textilelover
True Blue Farmgirl
557 Posts
Dianne
Middletown
NY
USA
557 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2010 : 12:59:45 PM
|
Sue Hubbell's book is how I became interested in beekeeping, though I thought I'd have to wait until I was older and retired. Then we had a swarm on our property, I contacted the local beekeeper's club, attended a meeting, and now I am on the board with 2 hives on our property. I love her writing, her simple way of life and her relationship with all wildlife. I think I'll re-read her (for the 3rd time) again. She also wrote A Book of Bees. Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
|
|
|
windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4538 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4538 Posts |
Posted - Jan 30 2010 : 04:45:29 AM
|
Wow what a way to jump right into bee keeping Dianne. Good luck
I just paid for my first pkg of bees. Going to start putting together hives and frames today.
Waiting for all the buzz now. Oh but I hope warmer weather arrives first.
Michele |
|
|
|
textilelover
True Blue Farmgirl
557 Posts
Dianne
Middletown
NY
USA
557 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2010 : 03:17:20 AM
|
Sad news! Just lost one hive. It was the weaker of the two, but we still hoped. We had a very rainy spring and summer here in the Hudson Valley, and now we have had a range of warm, wet weather to below freezing temps...very hard for our girls. We put up a windbreak and cardboard between the inner and outer cover to absorb any moisture (a big killer of bees--they freeze). We left all the honey for them. We'll harvest what is left after they are foraging in the spring. Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
|
|
|
Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2010 : 10:06:03 AM
|
Sorry to hear that Dianne :(
~*~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: Jan 31st ~ Heather Smith Thomas, author of "Storey's Guide to Raising Beef Cattle" and "Storey's Guide to Raising horses" If you like horses or cattle, JOIN US! |
|
|
|
windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4538 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4538 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2010 : 11:33:14 AM
|
How are All things Bees going?
We started putting together hive boxes, and frames. Got to get some more lumber to make 4 more boxes.
One month to get these things finished up and ready!
Michele |
|
|
|
textilelover
True Blue Farmgirl
557 Posts
Dianne
Middletown
NY
USA
557 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 12:40:34 PM
|
After getting almost 4 feet of snow and finally digging out, it was sunny and on the warm side and the bees were flying! I can smell spring in the air...Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
|
|
|
textilelover
True Blue Farmgirl
557 Posts
Dianne
Middletown
NY
USA
557 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 12:50:48 PM
|
Forgot to mention that I'm reading Honeybee by C. Marina Marchese. Although I've read alot of books about beekeeping, I always seem to learn something new from each one. This book is an easy read with charming illustrations and recipes using honey. The author is the founder of Red Bee Honey (not familiar with her product), and writes about how she came to be a beekeeper. I enjoy personal narrative stories about beekeeping as opposed to cut and dry scientific information. Some of her info is incorrect (ie, bees are not "calmed" by a smoker, but instead think the hive is on fire and react by filling up with honey stores and saving what they can from thier "burning" home), but it is still a well-written and informative book. Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
|
|
|
textilelover
True Blue Farmgirl
557 Posts
Dianne
Middletown
NY
USA
557 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2010 : 4:02:58 PM
|
Do any beekeepers swap hive bodies in the spring from upper and lower position? The thinking is if the queen is moving up and laying (which she should already be doing by now) and the bottom hive box is empty, you can switch their positions. Not sure if I'd like it if someone put my upstairs under my downstairs. Comments? Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
|
|
|
knitnpurlgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
83 Posts
Georgina
Cammack Village
Arkansas
USA
83 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2010 : 8:15:08 PM
|
Ok bee people. I have a hive living between the siding and the wall of my house. A squirrel chewed a hole in the corner of the house and we had bees move in last summer. It is warming up here and they are active. What do I need to do to remove them from my house. Thanks for any help. Georgina
Secret of Happiness: "Be satisfied." "Be grateful." "For what you have. For the love you receive. And for what God has given you." |
|
|
|
dawnm
True Blue Farmgirl
92 Posts
Dawn
Blueridge Mts
Va
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2010 : 8:58:23 PM
|
Georgina, I imagine that there are people in your town that will be able to remove them. And save honeybees. Dawn
I am making progress getting my own hives set up. I contacted the town and they allow beehives. I have the garb to handle them. I have a smoker and a couple of things. Now I need hives and bees. Dawn
"though an old man yet, I am a young gardener." Thomas Jefferson |
|
|
|
Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2010 : 10:30:49 PM
|
Hey Dawn, unless you have a local supplier, you've got to get a move on ordering the bees. Round about this time, most beekeepers sell out until June...which is late in the season.
Regarding bees in the walls--if you can contact a local beekeeper, most of them can humanely remove the bees (and possibly get the bees for themselves!)...Good luck with that!f
~*~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: February 28th ~ Interview with Karen Keb of Hobby Farms and Hank Will of GRIT magazine! |
|
|
|
aunt boby
True Blue Farmgirl
173 Posts
toby
polo
illinois
USA
173 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2010 : 08:33:37 AM
|
Question for all you Bee Ladies--- I have looked around about ordering things to get a hive up and going. I see there are 3 or 4 different kind of bees you can order. Do some breeds of bees fare better in cold weather? I live in northern Illinois and we do experience harsh winters. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!!
POOR IS THE MAN WHO CANNOT ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE- anonymous |
|
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2010 : 08:38:50 AM
|
I think I am going to go to a free bee keeping class at a local nursery Saturday. I really would like to get into bees. There are so many around here and no one has hives. I garden organically so they love it here. I love for them to be here, too. But I would like the honey even more! So I hope to learn alot about this.
I love reading all ya'lls posts. Thanks.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
|
|
|
Barnyard Buddies: All things Bees |
|
All things Bees
