Hello!
I live in Meigs County, TN, about half-way between Chattanooga and Knoxville, on the eastern shore of Watts Bar Lake.
Around the middle of August, a coworker told me that he had too many bees, and that if I would get a hive, he'd give me some bees to start my own colony. So I got a deep and some frames and a top and went to his place. I gave him five new frames, and he gave me five of his "active" frames. He told me they'd make a queen and that it would be ok. Got them home ok and all seems well. I've been feeding them with a hive top feeder. I started out feeding 1 to 1 but have since upped it to two to one. They are going through about 3 gallons a week.
I tried to read a lot about this before getting the bees, but sometimes the material doesn't really click until you have the bees in hand and actually see what is going on. I know it's late in the season for some of this, but I really hope I can get them in good enough shape to make it through the winter. If nothing else, at least I am getting some experience this fall so hopefully I'll be more prepared next spring.
Greg Whitehead
Euchee, TN
PS: The screen name comes from only having dialup internet access. Most days it's 26.4 kbs. So it's a great day if it's 28.8.
Hello. Your just a few counties over from me-welcome to the site. Have you done a check on your hive to see if you do have a queen and of so is she laying good? Also, when you get a chance change your location in your profile-there are several Tn Keeps on here to help you out.
Quote from: VolunteerK9 on October 11, 2011, 11:34:18 AM
Hello. Your just a few counties over from me-welcome to the site. Have you done a check on your hive to see if you do have a queen and of so is she laying good? Also, when you get a chance change your location in your profile-there are several Tn Keeps on here to help you out.
I did a mite count with the sticky board this past weekend and that looked very good. I was in the hive yesterday and they look well and happy. The bees were returning to the hive loaded down with goldenrod pollen. :)
The problem I found was that a laden 10-frame deep is HEAVY. I will be going to 8-frame mediums next year.
Quote from: Slowmodem on October 11, 2011, 11:27:25 AM
PS: The screen name comes from only having dial-up internet access. Most days it's 26.4 kbs. So it's a great day if it's 28.8.
26.4 KBS, OUCH. I am amazed you can even operate at those speeds. Sorry to hear that. Good luck with your bees.
Jim
P.S I won't tell you what I'm operating at, I don't want to make it worse for you. :-D
Quote from: Slowmodem on October 11, 2011, 11:47:51 AM
Quote from: VolunteerK9 on October 11, 2011, 11:34:18 AM
Hello. Your just a few counties over from me-welcome to the site. Have you done a check on your hive to see if you do have a queen and of so is she laying good? Also, when you get a chance change your location in your profile-there are several Tn Keeps on here to help you out.
I did a mite count with the sticky board this past weekend and that looked very good. I was in the hive yesterday and they look well and happy. The bees were returning to the hive loaded down with goldenrod pollen. :)
The problem I found was that a laden 10-frame deep is HEAVY. I will be going to 8-frame mediums next year.
A 5 frame queenless nuc made in mid August shouldnt have a high mite load with the brood break. After re-reading your post, are you still feeding 3 gallons a week? I cant imagine a 5 frame queenless nuc needing that much syrup. Your hive was queenless for at least 15 days, a few days to mate, and then another 21 days for her brood to hatch. Just make sure that your hive isnt honey bound and really make sure that you have a laying queen. Meanwhile, read, read and read some more and enjoy!
Sounds like you are feeding someone Else's apiary.
Jim
Quote from: VolunteerK9 on October 11, 2011, 01:19:55 PM
A 5 frame queenless nuc made in mid August shouldnt have a high mite load with the brood break. After re-reading your post, are you still feeding 3 gallons a week? I cant imagine a 5 frame queenless nuc needing that much syrup. Your hive was queenless for at least 15 days, a few days to mate, and then another 21 days for her brood to hatch. Just make sure that your hive isnt honey bound and really make sure that you have a laying queen. Meanwhile, read, read and read some more and enjoy!
Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear. I got 5 frames of bees and put them into a 10-frame deep. I now have a second deep on top of that and they're working on those frames now.
It seems pretty unlikely that a few frames of queen-less bees would even still be around, let alone engulfing that much sugar syrup without a laying queen & exploding population! Good job getting started. Take off running.
Be sure to remove empty boxes and frames when the cold sets in.A small cluster need np extra room for heat loss.
Welcome to the site!