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Post by mgderf on Feb 14, 2019 20:38:48 GMT -5
Yes for the most part. 3 main enemies, varro mites, hive beetles, a wax moths. Most keepers check hives every 2 to 4 weeks. You could check in spring and fall. Should be able to miss a few summer months. Beekeeping is expensive. Hive parts add up fast. If wood handy you can make your hive parts. Bees range from $130 to $200. Supplies shouldn't be an issue for me. I'm in the construction trade. I deal with scrap material on a daily basis. On a room addition or roofing job, it's not uncommon to have a couple of sheets of plywood left over.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2019 13:52:41 GMT -5
I put out two home made bee swarm traps and hopefully catch a bee swarm in April-May. One in my apiary and one in the 765k Duke Electric power line area. It's also big buck (deer) highway.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2019 12:44:54 GMT -5
Confirmed today that my 1st shipment of package bees (3 lbs of bees plus queen) ships USPS priority mail (1-3 days) Saturday (23rd).
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Post by saltydog on Mar 21, 2019 12:53:52 GMT -5
Hoping to pic mine up Saturday !
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2019 13:17:51 GMT -5
Perfect timing with the red maples bloom.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2019 18:27:11 GMT -5
I'm a beekeeper now. Picked up 1st package of bees from the post office today. Bees are now in their new hive. Wasn't a good day for it. Light rain and 43 degrees. I'm feeding them for the next couple weeks.
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Post by duff on Mar 26, 2019 4:39:00 GMT -5
You can send me a jar for official approval.
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Post by saltydog on Mar 26, 2019 7:32:29 GMT -5
Wayne..... Where did you orders yours from ? I ordered mine from Hunters honey farm in Martinsville, they said mine would not be in till mid April.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2019 18:55:33 GMT -5
Wayne..... Where did you orders yours from ? I ordered mine from Hunters honey farm in Martinsville, they said mine would not be in till mid April. I ordered from barnyard bees. A huge semi trucks full of bees from the south is always 3rd week of April. You have to ask when ordering. My second package is the April group. Yesterday the bees were bringing a lot of nectar. Like every other bee. Red and silver trees are in full bloom.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2019 18:59:12 GMT -5
Yesterday I opened the hive to check on the queen. She was out and doing her thing. Lot of new comb being built. Already had to add 3/4 gallon of sugar water. 1st half was almost gone. I think I'm already addicted.
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Post by throbak on Mar 30, 2019 21:43:18 GMT -5
Out in the box running around ? Mine are carrying red and light yellow pollen in down to 1 by 2 but the dust this winter but the one left is doing well
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Post by saltydog on Apr 11, 2019 20:36:49 GMT -5
Prepping my foundations, bees should be in any day !
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2019 11:41:59 GMT -5
I checked my 1st (3/25) package yesterday and found two frames with beautiful layout capped broad. It will be the 3rd week on the 15th. Hive will be doubling soon. Next package I'm picking up on the 24th. Can't wait. Make sure your foundations are waxed. Double wax is even better. I bought a wax bar and rubbed and melted (rolled) some on. Looks like your'll ready.
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Post by saltydog on Apr 15, 2019 5:24:56 GMT -5
Waynes .... they are waxed, My order was shorted five sides for the deeps though, so waiting on them to come in. Going to call today about the bee's.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2019 10:24:48 GMT -5
I've read a few time that double waxed works better. I don't know if true or not. I figured it wouldn't hurt.
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Post by saltydog on May 4, 2019 11:32:42 GMT -5
Well finally the bee's are in and Im on my way to being a keeper of bee's.
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2019 17:34:04 GMT -5
Well finally the bee's are in and Im on my way to being a keeper of bee's. Awesome. Good luck and now the goal for a large enough hive to over winter.
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2019 7:09:24 GMT -5
Update: Hive package #1 is going gang busters. I already added a second broad box. Lower box is 8 frames out of 10 full and going great. Hive package #2 that I picked up back on 4/24 is just the opposite. I checked after 3 days and the queen was released and she looked good. I then checked last week on May 2nd to check to she if she was laying. I only found a few eggs and larvae around one frame side (scattered). Not looking good at all. I checked again last night and found 3 very good formed emergency queen cells (supersede) and 4 small ones. I checked three times and found no queen-eggs-larvae. Either the queen left or they killed her. I'm going to see if my bee supplier can get me a replacement queen today. If not, it will be 2-3 weeks before the virgin queen emerges and can fly, get mated, and make it back. No guarantee that she makes it back and or gets mated properly. If all goes will I"ll have new eggs in 3 weeks and then 21 days later new emerging bees. The problem is losing all the time with the hive slowly dying off before new bees.
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2019 10:12:49 GMT -5
Update: Hive package #1 is going gang busters. I already added a second broad box. Lower box is 8 frames out of 10 full and going great. Hive package #2 that I picked up back on 4/24 is just the opposite. I checked after 3 days and the queen was released and she looked good. I then checked last week on May 2nd to check to she if she was laying. I only found a few eggs and larvae around one frame side (scattered). Not looking good at all. I checked again last night and found 3 very good formed emergency queen cells (supersede) and 4 small ones. I checked three times and found no queen-eggs-larvae. Either the queen left or they killed her. I'm going to see if my bee supplier can get me a replacement queen today. If not, it will be 2-3 weeks before the virgin queen emerges and can fly, get mated, and make it back. No guarantee that she makes it back and or gets mated properly. If all goes will I"ll have new eggs in 3 weeks and then 21 days later new emerging bees. The problem is losing all the time with the hive slowly dying off before new bees. I've been checking local bee supplies and everyone is sold out of queens. Hopefully, the bees are successful making a new queen. Still trying to catch a swarm (free bees).
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Post by saltydog on May 13, 2019 5:07:52 GMT -5
waynes I hope you can find a queen soon or the queen eggs hatch soon, I'm sure your on pins and needles. hopefully they established enough to get thru this. keep us updated. Now the supersede cells are located towards the middle of the frame correct ? I will be getting into mine later this week to get ready for the next step.
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