Hive Design and construction.

[DR zuum]

Well here it is,a thread for building beehives.Lay it on me.

 

[nepenthes]

What do you want to know?

I really suggest you go hear for your questions.
http://forum.beemaster.com

Its a bee keeping forum. But one thing you should know is that it isn't a cheap hobby. Building the the hives are fun.

http://www.beesource.com/plans/

Any thing else? How do you plan on getting the bee's? What kind of foundation are you gonna use?

http://www.dadant.com/catalog/

Their are many places, If you are really interested i suggest you subscribe to bee culture magazine

http://beeculture.com/

You should also invest in some books too

The ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture
Beekeeping for dummies

are too good beginner books. The ABC and XYZ is mainly for reference though.

Try and find a local club. The one thing you have to worry about is Africanized bee publicity's. And Swarming you need to keep a close eye on swarming cause they MIGHT mate with Africanized bee's. Living in an area where bee attacks have been found you could have to deal with P/O'd neighbors.

Im getting my first two hives in Spring. If you are gonna get started now is the time, only a few months left till the season gets rolling, not sure when it starts where you are I live in Ohio.

(I see you have been to Michal Bushes Web page? The guy is a savior when it comes to organic bee keeping)

Cheers

 

[DR zuum]

(I see you have been to Michal Bushes Web page? The guy is a savior when it comes to organic bee keeping)

Cheers

Thanks,yep he was so good he sent me to a woman who was going to sell me AHB as normal bees,without telling me.So i'll pass on that.I have been to all the sites you listed good info.I have selected my books and dvds im going to study over the next few weeks before I begin.I learn fairly quickly on anything I pursue so I should at least be somewhat capable by then.

We seem to have in CM and Tim v two experts right here.I reviewed their claims and what they said from another thread.Both have got the goods so I think thats where i'll be taking any guidance or advice I seek,from one or the other of those 2 gentlemen if they are so inclined to provide it.

I cannot really take anything a man who would send me to a person selling africanized bees for 100.00 a nuc,without telling me has to say.Actually he said shes not selling any LUS but heres how to contact her.Niether told me they were africanized bees.They were supposedly native honeybees which I found no info on.

And when I presented her Lus info here one of our experts was kind enough to save me some trouble and pain and the lengthy jail sentence I would have gotten had I survived and returned in kind,from being sold AHB deliberately. I told her I was a novice new to this and she still did not tell me and had no hesitation in lining me up to buy some.

 

[nepenthes]

Well I'm sorry, about the conflict. That really kinda sucks, I hope you dont totally hate the guy for ever.

I hope things turn out well for you, thats the thing about living down south you have to worry more about getting AHB and not EHB.

good luck on your endeavors, I'm going to try to get some one to take some pictures of when I'm putting the bee's in the Hives. What equipment do you have already?

I know that What he did was wrong, and i hope you can get over that, have you at least looked over his site? He does have some useful stuff.

 

[arachnocat]

I have another type of bee question if that's ok:
I've seen places selling bumble bee hives. I thought about getting one but they only last a few weeks apparently. Is it possible to keep a bumble bee hive going for a long period of time?

 

[DR zuum]

Well I'm sorry, about the conflict. That really kinda sucks, I hope you dont totally hate the guy for ever.

I hope things turn out well for you, thats the thing about living down south you have to worry more about getting AHB and not EHB.

good luck on your endeavors, I'm going to try to get some one to take some pictures of when I'm putting the bee's in the Hives. What equipment do you have already?

I know that What he did was wrong, and i hope you can get over that, have you at least looked over his site? He does have some useful stuff.

Nope not buying anything until I have a better handle on all the information.

 

[DR zuum]

I have another type of bee question if that's ok:
I've seen places selling bumble bee hives. I thought about getting one but they only last a few weeks apparently. Is it possible to keep a bumble bee hive going for a long period of time?

Well I think you will have to wait until CM or Tim jumps in here for info on that.I have just begun learning so cannot comment.YET

 

[nepenthes]

arachnocat-
Yea, people are selling Bumble bee hives, mainly for Green houses (i think that is why) Its allot smaller than a bee hive which makes it more convenient, a couple hundred bee's comparied to 30,000 bee's is quite a difference! It depends on how you keep them really from what I have read is that the workers die, and the queen hibernates, much like Wasps. you could probably capture a Queen Honey bee In the Fall try and induce her into burrowing .

Who knows an Ant farm style Burrow would be kinda neat. More research would be needed. But IT wouldn't be any thing like a Bee hive. I don't know much more than that sorry.

:? Im not sure what you are looking for then DR

 

[DR zuum]

arachnocat-
Yea, people are selling Bumble bee hives, mainly for Green houses (i think that is why) Its allot smaller than a bee hive which makes it more convenient, a couple hundred bee's comparied to 30,000 bee's is quite a difference! It depends on how you keep them really from what I have read is that the workers die, and the queen hibernates, much like Wasps. you could probably capture a Queen Honey bee In the Fall try and induce her into burrowing .

Who knows an Ant farm style Burrow would be kinda neat. More research would be needed. But IT wouldn't be any thing like a Bee hive. I don't know much more than that sorry.

:? Im not sure what you are looking for then DR

Well here it is,a thread for building beehives.Lay it on me.

:? ........

 

[nepenthes]

Ok, If you are going to build them try and get Good Grade Pine. #1 or #2 (i think thats the grading system), just try to get as few knots as possible and a nice clean piece of wood. Plans are at that one web site.

I saved about 100 bucks on a bee hive. By building it my self, I still haven't bought the Tin for the top, and I'm not using a queen excluder (one less thing I have to build). Other wise Ive got it figured out. Like i said before try finding a bee club local to you, call your county office ask them where you can get a hold of the County Bee Inspector ask him for willing People who would be able to help you out, Hands on experience in this hobby is best.

Gluck again.

 

[DR zuum]

I was going to leave this alone as I wanted this to be about info only and keep a spirit of learning.But I find that I cannot.In the shell game I always know where the pea is.

Now hold on a minute,you said this.

Im getting my **first two hives in Spring.** If you are gonna get started now is the time, only a few months left till the season gets rolling, not sure when it starts where you are I live in Ohio..

So you have actually never kept them,and therefore have no real experience.So how are you any further advanced than me,except in reading materials and building one which you say you have not yet completed.lol And you are in high school.Man you have got to be kidding how in the hell are you going to advise if you have never actually done it then say this.

Hands on experience in this hobby is best..

Of which by your own admission above you have none.Kid you are not talking to a wal mart,ding fries are done.While I can appreciate you relating your own endeavours,please refrain from talking like you actually know what you are doing since you have never done it by your own admission.

And dont give tips on keeping them since you've yet to do it.Jesus h.

I saw a quote from M.Bush I think you are just pulling our legs...

Now you say he is a saviour but you are not even aware that quote is taken directly from his site.So how can you represent him as a saviour when you really do not even know what he says on his site?

Im in high school by the way, Im building a third Bee hive in Shop class. People think Im crazy! Maybe they are right? ...

But you are

Im getting my **first two hives in Spring.**

and you have not even finished the first.

People think Im crazy! Maybe they are right? ....

Looks like they called it.

So far the only 2 people that have presented credentials and experience in this area that I have verified.Are Tim V and Code Monkey,both respected experts I went to the virginia bee keepers website, http://www.virginiabeekeepers.org/ cm and his dad are down,so is Tim verified by many academic and commercial sources out in cali.I think the only difference between them is their own experiences yrs in it and new or old research data.

Regardless my differences in opinion with them on other topics.Only a fool would dismiss their ability and knowledge of which I have respect for both.And I believe in the end if this goes anywhere here one of the two or both or another expert in this area,who may not have spoken yet will be our guides if they are kind enough or inclined to do so.

 

[nepenthes]

I didn't mention ANY thing about me not working around bee's before. I HAVE worked with some one who has bee's. I HAVE complete Hives (just need to paint a few more deeps and I'm set) frames and foundation are in, I just don't have bee's in them yet. I'm sorry for trying to help you out a little bit, I think its great you are getting into the hobby, but we don't need pricks in the hobby either. Don't be so stuck up young people can have just as much information as older people. Ill just let you stick around and wait for you're two "authority" figures, instead of giving you a little helping hand.

*edit*

And the reason people thought I was crazy was because of the fact I'm KEEPING BEE'S thats not an every day thing you hear about.

 

[DR zuum]

I didn't mention ANY thing about me not working around bee's before. I HAVE worked with some one who has bee's. I HAVE complete Hives (just need to paint a few more deeps and I'm set) frames and foundation are in, I just don't have bee's in them yet. I'm sorry for trying to help you out a little bit, I think its great you are getting into the hobby, but we don't need pricks in the hobby either. Don't be so stuck up young people can have just as much information as older people. Ill just let you stick around and wait for you're two "authority" figures, instead of giving you a little helping hand.

*edit*

And the reason people thought I was crazy was because of the fact I'm KEEPING BEE'S thats not an every day thing you hear about.

Thats not what you said,anybody can scroll up and read for themselves,now its something different. I think the prick is the one trying to come off as a experienced keeper,when by your own mouth you are getting your first two hives in spring.Save your smoke for your bees.When someone blows it up my boodiehole I would prefer at least someone who can do it well.

And once again by your own mouth you have never actually kept them yourself,that alone is enough.Kid stay out of deep water you cant tread.

As to help im fairly certain just reading what you have written my 2 days worth of study has already put me ahead of you.After all you did not even know what your saviour says on his site.Pfffft I mean what kind of responsible keeper would send you to someone selling AHB which is illegal.Imagine me driving into vegas with a load of killer bees in the back lol .I could have been fined,jailed whatever.

Or thinking I had these gentle hardly ever mean Lus bees only to find out they were africans!! I mean if I had yrs of experience thats one thing but I was up front that I was a novice and still no warning they were africans.That sounds more like a devil than a saviour, how can that ever be forgiven I mean come on.Tim just saved me a whole lot of heartache by sharing his knowledge of what I was about to get myself into,and I am in his debt.

So lets leave it at that and let the thread go where it was supposed to.Designs pics diy of hives and experienced keepers input.

 

[nepenthes]

I have read his site, I don't remember useless things like you're quote from his site.

I will admit I am not an deeply experienced keeper yes. But I probably know more than you do I have been researching for the past year. You don't know any thing about Apis mellifera. Ive read many pages, I have browsed many forums, I've wasted allot of time doing research. I've spent time with an experienced bee keeper (a county bee inspector) I've been around open hives, buzzing around me, don't say I'm in experienced.

I'm still a freaking novice yea, but I HAVE way more experience than you.

 

[DR zuum]

I have read his site, I don't remember useless things like you're quote from his site.

I will admit I am not an deeply experienced keeper yes. But I probably know more than you do I have been researching for the past year. You don't know any thing about Apis mellifera. Ive read many pages, I have browsed many forums, I've wasted allot of time doing research. I've spent time with an experienced bee keeper (a county bee inspector) I've been around open hives, buzzing around me, don't say I'm in experienced.

I'm still a freaking novice yea, but I HAVE way more experience than you.

I have read his site, I don't remember useless things like you're quote from his site..

Actually considering he's sending people to buy africans from another keeper without telling them,as I asked him directly about the Lus bee,even though he himself isnt selling them.Its not useless thats some damn good advice in that quote from his site.ROFL Run through them bushes get them africans off.HAHAHA too much my side is hurting from laughing.

Well since I have read about 1500 pages of material already covering various species,their characteristics,diseases,techniques etc.And I have various husbandry skills with various inverts marine and terrestrial over a 29 yr period as a hobby and professionally including running a successful shop for 7 yrs in the late eighties designing and building reef systems from the home to office to the casino here in vegas,until my divorce from my first wife.A lot of which I can see already that will carry over into this hobby believe it or not.

I've already got some techniques in mind that I think will prove useful in disease and mite elimination.As well as my breeding experience with tarantulas while it was not on Mr.Swifts level or Mr.Hochs in quantity or species.I believe everyone who bought from me was very satisfied with the size health and color of my T's almost all of which were bred by me.Not imported and sold like a lot of the newcomes do,not that theres anything wrong with that more power to them make that money.

Its always good to have experience in more than one discipline to draw on.But until I actually am working with them I will not know for sure,as I do not know their actual stress levels or ability to adapt.

I think what those yrs of experience and knowledge will bring to the game will edge you out and stack up quite well against your experience and high school accomplishments. But since niether you nor I have ever actually kept them ourselves the point is moot and ridiculous to discuss.

But I tell you what,since we are both novices,and im crippled up with nothing to do really as the business I started recently runs itself,lets see who carries the ball and who fumbles it.I'm going with a production hive as Tim suggested i'll only have one.At the end of the season lets see whose produces more honey.How about it?

You follow your mentor I will follow Tim if he will guide/teach me if not,i'll still take you on running on what i've learned already and what I will gain as I go.My one hive against the best one of your yet to be completed many. Winner gets bragging rights loser gets teabagged.How about it.We are on the honor system on this i'll have a independent source measure mine with documentation,on your honor you do the same.Thats if you accept.Oh and while your mentor may guide/school you,he can have no actual hands on in the care or maintenance of your hive,same applies to me.

I have my Carniolans Tim suggested lined up for delivery at march end.And I am going to buy one of the kits,I compared all the cost of wood,materials etc.and buying the equipment its cheaper here just to buy it all as a kit.And im not uptight or anything,or hating on you son.Just going to prove a point,have some fun and enjoy some healthy american competition.:3:

 

[nepenthes]

Ok, Sounds like a good bet.

But I would expect you to know Honey production doesn't just depend on if the bee's can make it, it also depends on how the nectar flows are that year. Im not trying to make an excuse of any kind I'm just saying it could be a good nectar year or it could be a bad year.

So you are getting a Carnolian? I hear they are pretty good. But Im getting an Italian and a Russian.

The loser of the bet should get some kind of Banner or something that says they cant keep bee's, or some witty comment.

Gluck

 

[DR zuum]

Ok, Sounds like a good bet.

But I would expect you to know Honey production doesn't just depend on if the bee's can make it, it also depends on how the nectar flows are that year. Im not trying to make an excuse of any kind I'm just saying it could be a good nectar year or it could be a bad year.

So you are getting a Carnolian? I hear they are pretty good. But Im getting an Italian and a Russian.

The loser of the bet should get some kind of Banner or something that says they cant keep bee's, or some witty comment.

Gluck

Yep I read that already,im like a tumor when it comes to subjects im interested in I just keep growing.So here are the rules my one against the best of your many,thats already in your favor you cannot beat that,thats vegas house odds. No direct hands on help from your mentor or mine that is if I have one or if he even lends his knowledge to this fiasco.A independent source reviews our yield on our respective hives.

After reviewing the direction this thread went I believe we both are insane,having never actually kept them ourselves,I am on medication however and therefore exempt of that distinction by influence from a outside factor. As a banner I believe the loser should have as his avatar a flag with a crying bee on it like the old ghostbusters symbol.Hey maybe we can get CM and Tim to compete too see whose got the juice.lol More fentanyl palease.

I'm considering a buckfast queen to carnie workers or just the straight carnies,barely beginning the journey and im already experimenting.Watch over me stroud! Something about the history of the buckfast and how they were created at the abbey by a old monk has me hooked.

 

[PINK1081]

I just have to add some of my own experiences here.(all in good sprit) I do not have a degree and I will not be comparing testicles to see who's are bigger, just MY experiences.

I have been Keeping Bees for 7 years here in the Northeast (we must deal with 4 months of Winter weather). I am just a hobbiest keeping as many as 15 hives in a good summer and as few as 1 after a bad winter.

I have split hives, collected swarms, raised my own queens, started my own nucs, built my own hives, kept Carnolian and Italians, kept an observation hive and extracted my own honey. I have treated for; mites, treacial mites, foulbrood and have had to deal with any other problems that come up.

Bees are a GREAT HOBBY, but I would not want to depend on it for a living. Here in my area there is one good necter flow and it lasts about 2 weeks ( locust tree blooms). If it rains during that time (and that has happened) you will be feeding your bees to get them through the winter, if the weather is good your bees will produce 60 to 100 pounds of honey in those 2 weeks.

Just one thing you should understand....You will be working with up to 60,000 women and like most they have a 'collective' mind of there own. In areas where there is winter weather the drones are kicked out in the fall and are not allowed to return, they do NO work and are not needed.

Things that happen.....

1. You buy and introduce a new queen ($20.00 plus $15.00 shipping)..your girls don't like her for some reason so...they make their own replacement for her and kill her off.

2. You spent hours retreving a swarm from 50 feet up in a tree, place them in a nice box with drawn comb and a brand new lid....the next morning, they leave because they had already deceided to move into a opening in the neighbors siding.

3. Your girls in hive #1 see that the girls in hive #4 are a little weak and are not guarding the hive like they should....They raid the hive stealing all the honey and killing most of the bees including your prize queen.

I have had all of these happen to ME in my "learning years" which will most likly last another 30 years. Its all fun and always something new when you lift that lid off a hive.

One thing I have learned over the years is this....you can be in a room with 15 beekeepers and not 2 keepers keep their bees the same way and none of their methods are wrong if they work for them.

I enjoy beekeeping and wish you both the best in your new hobby. Read all you can, but you will learn the most from the bees.

Happy beekeeping......Jim

 

[PINK1081]

A day above 40 and the girls are cleaning out the dead, writing their names in the snow and just getting out for some fresh air.