Good Morning, all!
Soon to be first time beekeeper - starting with two Langs and two TBHs, and two nucs and two packages to go with them.
Here to learn...
Glen
welcome to the fourm! im a newbee too, and theres alot of people on here thats more than willing to guide you along the way. i definately recommend you going on ventrillo if you have a mic
Welcome, Im also in central Va. Im just going in to my third year and have learned alot of lessons here and elsewhere and of course, the hard way. Good move starting with 4. If there is anything at all I may be able to help you with locally, feel free to message me. Good luck. G
If you change your profile to include your town and state, we will be able to help you more.
I found local knowledge to be helpful. I have been a mentor for years but like most other mentors I will not do your work for you. I have stood by my charges and in their boxes with them but again, not doing their work. I mention this because I strongly advise you to find a beekeeping club near you and sign up for their mentoring program (if they have one.) Other then that, ask as many questions as you like, most likely we have asked the same question (or like ones) ourselves.
Good luck -Mike
Thanks all, for the welcome!
I've signed up for a Feb class that our county parks and rec puts on, plus I'll be at the MAOHBC in Richmond, March 28th. That's the one I'm looking forward to!
I've been planning since last Oct, and I haven't been able to find squat as far as local associations, hopefully activity will pick up over the next month or two. Maybe I'll meet folks on the 28th, or be able to get some help from Mr. Tignor.
Anybody on here planning to attend? http://maohbc.com/schedule/ (http://maohbc.com/schedule/)
Welcome aboard from Sedgwick, Kansas
I just looked up the brochure. Im not trying to scare you or anything, but from what little I read, and what little I know, that approach will take a long time with lots of losses to achieve. There are lots of Beekeepers who are treatment free, Michael Bush comes to mind, but, that being said, I think he would tell you it was a long road. My goal is to one day be treatment free. Doesnt happen overnight if you want bees in the spring is my guess. Maybe that conference will have local queen producers that will up the odds. I would be interested to know. Good Luck and enjoy. G
Thanks for the heads up, G. Like I said - I'm here to learn... and I dang sure don't have any experience!
I'm going in w/ my eyes open. If I have one hive come spring, then I guess it won't be a total failure.
I think treating is more prone to problems than not treating. If you look at all the myriad of questionnaires and surveys done by various local clubs, state clubs, Bee Informed etc. I think it's obvious that losses when treating are no different than losses when not treating and that is not taking into account doing anything other than treating or not...
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoursimplesteps.htm
Thank you Michael Bush - I read your website one weekend, then drifted over to the Cushman pages... I had to quit when my eyes started bleeding in there.
I'll be getting a copy of your book to have as a ready reference once the girls get here. I appreciate the wisdom you've brought together to share with others.
Regards,
Glen
Welcome to our forum
when I started I just jumped right in.
bees got into insecticide and died
the next year was much better. this is now the second winter with nature. and all is well
do not force and issue do if you must but Bees know how to bee bees.
splits are necessary too keep control
Welcome