Hi all,
I am not new to the world of bees having worked with them years ago in the world of molecular genetics. However, I am new to the world of keeping them in the backgarden. My neighbour who we have lived next door to since I was born has kept bees for as many years as I can remember and we have always been lucky enough to have honey on tap. Recently though he passed away leaving all his hives without a home. Having pottered around with him while he used to work the hives and also sometimes remediying things when vandals struck while he was on holidays I though a fitting way to remember him would be to adopt a couple of his hives. That I have done but unfortunately they are not in a good state as he was unable to do much with them for the last 6 months or so. Many of the combs are black and in some frames the comb seems to have been eaten away.
I have been feeding them all winter and now that spring has come I took the hives apart to see how the bees were faring. The queens in all three hives are there and the brood that is there is nice and regular. It does seem to have a fair few drones in it though.
I would like to start replacing the combs but am unsure where to start and also I would like to clean the boxes but again am unsure where to begin.
I have many questions and am glad to have found this forum where there seems to be many people willing to share their considerable experiences. Certainly, every beekeeper I have met so far has been fantastic and enthisiastic.
Thats about it and I hope to be able to trawl the forums and find some answers to my questions soon.
I have attached some photos of the state of the combs for those who may be interested.
(http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/1914/img0411resizeddv1.th.jpg) (http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0411resizeddv1.jpg)
(http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/1497/img0420resizedpo1.th.jpg) (http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0420resizedpo1.jpg)
(http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/9529/img0413resizedjt2.th.jpg) (http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0413resizedjt2.jpg)
Cheers,
Meroopt
Hello!!
Can you tell us where you are? You said spring has just come, so I'm guessing you're in the Southern Hemisphere, ... Australia perhaps?
If it's spring and the queens are laying nice patterns, it sounds like you did a good job getting them through winter. As for the blackened/damaged comb, it's recommended that comb be replaced regularly. Some beeks replace 1/3 of their frames every year, others 1/4 or 1/5. I usually take the darkest ones, or any damaged ones, cut out the old comb and replace with new foundation or starter strips. Cleaning boxes: I don't do much other than scrape off excess propolis. Do they need a fresh coat of paint? Some beekeepers use a paint roller and paint hives with the bees inside. I haven't tried that, though.
Good Luck!
Meroopt, please go into your profile and tell us where you are. Also, you're a new member, you need to have more posts before you can post pictures - send a moderator the link to your photo and they'll post it for you. Moderators are buzzbee, pdmattox, or Robo, our super admin!
Meroopt. Welcome to our forum, so glad that you did find us. What a wonderful thing to do, to take on that responsibility of your neighbours bee colonies, I am sure that you would do him proud, that is beautiful. Spend time here with us, you will find that we are a friendly and a crew that loves to listen and help out with answers to questions. Sounds like you are doing just fine so far though, yeah!!! Have the most beautiful and wonderful day, Cindi
I was thinking the same as Cindi when I read your post...You seem to have a pretty good grip on things for just recently making the hives your own!
Have a good time here and I'm looking forward to seeing how things go for you with you bees!
your friend,
john
G'DAY MATE!!!!
Spent time last year in Brissy..love you Aussie's!
Read up, Use the search area for "Foundationless frames" I've been testing it out on my girls and they prefer it. Cheaper too! Now is the time to do it for you in OZ..springtime they make the most comb and you won't upset their game.
You might have had wax moths over the winter...hence the eaten away area's..not sure but sounds right.
A healthy hive will run those buggers right out most times. Be sure to provide water nearby and talk to local Beekeepers and get involved with a club if possible. They will be able to put you with a " Mentor" who will tutor you.
Good on ya for taking over a man's life love...it too will become yours if you spend time with our little ladies.
Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Mark