Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => HONEYBEE REMOVAL => Topic started by: JP on September 23, 2008, 12:56:09 AM

Title: Dirtiest Jacket Award?
Post by: JP on September 23, 2008, 12:56:09 AM
Pulled some honey to harvest yesterday, did cut out today, lots of honey, calm bees, almost stepped on the queen.

I love the picture of their butts putting out the nosanov don't you?

Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/SEPTEMBER222008?authkey=B_8a7ToI5fo#


...JP
Title: Re: Dirtiest Jacket Award?
Post by: mlewis48 on September 23, 2008, 01:26:46 AM
 Nice pictures, thanks so sharing. This is the time of the year that I hate to see coming, Fall. Too late for cut-outs, removals and in our part of the county, getting them ready for Winter. I have 2 cut outs that are ready, when Spring comes. That is a nice trailer, I have to have one of those. It would be nice to have somewhere to have tools organized and not flopping around in the back of my truck. I have got to say that your jacket should get the Award! Keep the pics coming!
                                       Marc
Title: Re: Dirtiest Jacket Award?
Post by: JP on September 23, 2008, 01:35:41 AM
Got the trailer after Katrina, this yr decided to use it for my bee removals, its like a shed on wheels. Best bee removal vehicle IMO, a van, easier to park also, maybe one coming in the future.

Yeah, I think its time to wash the jacket. :-D


...JP
Title: Re: Dirtiest Jacket Award?
Post by: annette on September 23, 2008, 02:04:09 AM
What do you do with all the honey you extract??

Title: Re: Dirtiest Jacket Award?
Post by: JP on September 23, 2008, 07:55:19 AM
Earlier in the yr when there is more of a flow, not that the bees aren't still making some honey down here still, they are, but nothing like the major flows, I don't transfer quite as much honey during cut outs, but this time of yr I give them much more for stores.

The guy who comissioned me to do this job's father n law's father used to keep bees and they were very excited I was removing them live and to get honey. They wanted honey, apparently their entire family wanted honey, fresh honey!

So, I filled that large pot in the pic with honey.

BTW, the guy's daughter was present, perhaps a 10yr old and she was just too cute, asked a gazillion questions about the bees and honey.

The wonderful thing that I noticed was that her parents did not mind one bit that she was asking me all of these questions.

I have run into many folks that usually tell their kids something like, "hey don't bother the man, he's working!" Which is a travesty IMO. Here was this sweet, innocent bright eyed little girl utterly excited and curious wanting and thirsting for knowledge.

I could have sat there for days answering her questions and sharing what I know about bees and honey, she deserved answers, it was very nice.


...JP
Title: Re: Dirtiest Jacket Award?
Post by: Cindi on September 23, 2008, 10:51:08 AM
JP, you got some great pictures going on there, as usual.  I personally think it is so cool that you didn't mind one little bit to answer that curious little wide-eyed girls questions.  You may have instilled the making of a new, young beekeeper by so doing, good for you, yeah!!!  Children have that natural curiosity, and when the adult human takes that time to satisfy that curiosity, well, what more can I say.....beautiful and most wonderfully awesome day, Cindi
Title: Re: Dirtiest Jacket Award?
Post by: dpence on September 23, 2008, 12:12:30 PM
Nice pictures JP.  I like the trailer, always nice to have your tools and equipment available.  I tend to forget something I need when I go to do a removal. 

David
Title: Re: Dirtiest Jacket Award?
Post by: JP on September 23, 2008, 03:17:14 PM
Quote from: dpence on September 23, 2008, 12:12:30 PM
Nice pictures JP.  I like the trailer, always nice to have your tools and equipment available.  I tend to forget something I need when I go to do a removal. 

David

David, I love the trailer, its a little awkward with parking sometimes, but other than that my gear is enclosed and locked and I made shelves to hold all my stuff, besides its great when I evacuate for hurricanes, then I pile even more junk inside!

Cindi, I don't have kids and I'm pretty set in my ways by now and don't know if I'd want any, kinda late for us, but I do like them and feel we should take the time to give them our best, they are after all the future.


...JP
Title: Re: Dirtiest Jacket Award?
Post by: KONASDAD on September 23, 2008, 04:06:03 PM
Quote from: annette on September 23, 2008, 02:04:09 AM
What do you do with all the honey you extract??


I leave much for the bees , but i also take the balance.....
I have been taking my cutout wax and honey and performing crush and starin method of extraction. i filter through screen and bottle. Here is the thing- I sell it as "WILDBEE Honey" I sold over 85lbs of this this year. I offer it for $10/lb. I just sold my last 8 bottles today for $65. This was to a repeat customer. I wish i had a thousand pounds of this honey. I sell it as fast as i get it. I did a cutout last week. the comb was weak so I couldn't leave for bees( whish i copuld have done that) but I got 3 lbs of totally black honey. I mean jet black like ink. I wasn't going to sell it, but a customer saw it bottled in my car. I said it wasn't for sale, but he offered $50 for 3lbs.... well... i sold it. I also licked the bucket out cause I wanted a tastse!!!! Rootbeer is what it tasted like. I wish I had kept a pound...
Title: Re: Dirtiest Jacket Award?
Post by: annette on September 23, 2008, 05:32:44 PM
I am glad you are getting a very good price for the honey. I believe when you are a small time beekeeper and have to do so much work to keep really good healthy hives, well the honey IMO is worth much more.

Take care
Annette