Okay I picked up my bees today, Two Single 10-frame boxes. Upon arriving home I let the settle for about 1.5 hours and then preceded to transfer the bees. The two boxes were full 1 / 2 frames of honey mostly capped, noticed a lot of uncapped brood . I did not see the queen in box 1 but did in box 2.
Now keep in my I have two hives one hive is foundation while the other is foundationless. When putting the bees / frames into there new home I followed the pattern below.,
eeehbbheee
eepbbbbpee
e=empty
h=honey/nectar
p=pollen/drone
b=brood
After all was and done I did not spend a lot of time go through the frames as I want the bees to settle for a few days or maybe at least until tomorrow.
I did notice that my smoke was a little warm. I am not sure how to make it cool " I was using pine straw".. Please advice on this..
I also notice after I had everything done " gloves suck " Hard to fell a few things also I noticed that there a lot of dead bees , I know that some of these were my doing . Not exactly sure how many between stepping on them smashing them. I am sure that some were already dead as well.
Thanks for all of your thoughts and time.
A fella could not ask for better weather. Sounds like you got a good buy on your bees with honey no less. My dad purchased my first hive for $35.00 many a year ago, I still to this very day enjoy watching the bees.
Blessings
OOPS! Normally you would not install into two deeps. If they came in a deep box you didn't need to do anything unless your supplier wanted his box back. In which case they should have been installed exactly as they were in new boxes. Although looking at what you did I don't think it will hurt.
A tool that is handy in the beginning is a frame gripper. It won't smash any bees and it allows you to use the clumsiest gloves.
Quote from: djgriggs on April 28, 2018, 04:26:57 PM
After all was and done I did not spend a lot of time go through the frames as I want the bees to settle for a few days or maybe at least until tomorrow.
Your work is done for now. I would let them settle for a week. You can take this time to observe the entrance(learn whats "normal"). IMO there would be nothing gained in going into them any earlier.
Quote from: djgriggs on April 28, 2018, 04:26:57 PM
I also notice after I had everything done " gloves suck " Hard to fell a few things also I noticed that there a lot of dead bees , I know that some of these were my doing .
I have never used gloves. I like to be able to get a good grip on the frames when I pull them out. Sometimes it is by the fingernails. :wink: I can't see how people can use them. It does startle me everytime I start to grab a frame with a bee trapped between the frame and my finger, and the bee buzzes.
Quote from: djgriggs on April 28, 2018, 04:26:57 PM
I did notice that my smoke was a little warm. I am not sure how to make it cool " I was using pine straw".. .
Do you have the large or small smoker? The taller ones are easier to get good hot embers in the bottom and still have enough of a wad of pine needles on top that the smoke has to go through to cool it. It also makes a difference in how much moisture is in the needles. If they are very dry they burn easier and quicker. If they are a little damp they are harder to get lit and keep lit. On thing you could try is, after you get it lit good, pack about an inch or two of pine needles thay are a little damp on top. Also, if you notice that is getting a little warm, hold the smoker a little farther away from the bees when you blow the smoke.
Quote from: cao on April 28, 2018, 09:12:27 PM
Quote from: djgriggs on April 28, 2018, 04:26:57 PM
After all was and done I did not spend a lot of time go through the frames as I want the bees to settle for a few days or maybe at least until tomorrow.
Your work is done for now. I would let them settle for a week. You can take this time to observe the entrance(learn whats "normal"). IMO there would be nothing gained in going into them any earlier.
Quote from: djgriggs on April 28, 2018, 04:26:57 PM
I also notice after I had everything done " gloves suck " Hard to fell a few things also I noticed that there a lot of dead bees , I know that some of these were my doing .
I have never used gloves. I like to be able to get a good grip on the frames when I pull them out. Sometimes it is by the fingernails. :wink: I can't see how people can use them. It does startle me everytime I start to grab a frame with a bee trapped between the frame and my finger, and the bee buzzes.
Quote from: djgriggs on April 28, 2018, 04:26:57 PM
I did notice that my smoke was a little warm. I am not sure how to make it cool " I was using pine straw".. .
Do you have the large or small smoker? The taller ones are easier to get good hot embers in the bottom and still have enough of a wad of pine needles on top that the smoke has to go through to cool it. It also makes a difference in how much moisture is in the needles. If they are very dry they burn easier and quicker. If they are a little damp they are harder to get lit and keep lit. On thing you could try is, after you get it lit good, pack about an inch or two of pine needles thay are a little damp on top. Also, if you notice that is getting a little warm, hold the smoker a little farther away from the bees when you blow the smoke.
I am planning to check them next weekend. I am using a large smoker and using pine straw, thinking about trying wood chips to see if it creates a colder smoke or the pellets. I knew that the smoke was warm so I kept the smoker at a distance.. Plus I need to find a smoke that does not smell as bad...
Stores have apple wood pellets. A sweet smelling smoke that stimulates my taste buds. The biggest problem is the family smells the smoke, then I have to smoke some meats.
I use a small propane tourch, with one click ignition to lite the pellets. It?s fast and easy.
Quote from: djgriggs on April 28, 2018, 10:48:26 PM
Plus I need to find a smoke that does not smell as bad...
Don't use pot. LOL
Pretty much all smoke smells bad. Rarely have I lite a fire and not have my eyes water and choke like the devil. Placing the smoker where is drifts across the hive and doesn't get you and you can still reach it takes years of experience. Still working on that problem.
As mentioned, the trick to getting cool smoke is how you light the smoker. Never pack the smoker and then light the top. This makes a good flame thrower.
Light a small bunch of needles in the bottom, then take a thick bunch of needles and roll them in a thick wad and pack them in th smoker, slowly while puffing and slowly push them down tight with you hive tool. Then add another wax. Use your hive tool to clean up the needles sticking up and close it up.
Jim
Also, work the bellows hard and fast, get hot smoke.
Work the bellows slow and easy, get cool smoke.
Ok, after spending about 20 minutes watching the hives today I seen a lot of activity on Hive 1 ( foundation ) . I did not see much activity on Hive 2 ( foundation-less ) In case either Hive was struggling for food ( which I do not think Hive one is as I had seem many bees flying in with lots of pollen. I have put a half of a Pollen Patty in each right below the inner cover.. I am considering changing out the inner cover with a Vivaldi board, any thoughts on that?
I was considering Syrup but I only have one pale feeder at this time. I do have another on order but it is not due to arrive until until Monday
Quote from: djgriggs on April 29, 2018, 02:04:21 PM
Ok, after spending about 20 minutes watching the hives today I seen a lot of activity on Hive 1 ( foundation ) . I did not see much activity on Hive 2 ( foundation-less ) In case either Hive was struggling for food ( which I do not think Hive one is as I had seem many bees flying in with lots of pollen. I have put a half of a Pollen Patty in each right below the inner cover.. I am considering changing out the inner cover with a Vivaldi board, any thoughts on that?
I was considering Syrup but I only have one pale feeder at this time. I do have another on order but it is not due to arrive until until Monday
No thoughts on Vivaldi but I wouldn't give them patties if they are bringing in fresh pollen. You just end up feeding the hive beetles.
Quote from: moebees on April 29, 2018, 03:27:37 PM
Quote from: djgriggs on April 29, 2018, 02:04:21 PM
Ok, after spending about 20 minutes watching the hives today I seen a lot of activity on Hive 1 ( foundation ) . I did not see much activity on Hive 2 ( foundation-less ) In case either Hive was struggling for food ( which I do not think Hive one is as I had seem many bees flying in with lots of pollen. I have put a half of a Pollen Patty in each right below the inner cover.. I am considering changing out the inner cover with a Vivaldi board, any thoughts on that?
I was considering Syrup but I only have one pale feeder at this time. I do have another on order but it is not due to arrive until until Monday
No thoughts on Vivaldi but I wouldn't give them patties if they are bringing in fresh pollen. You just end up feeding the hive beetles.
Am I to gain from that statement that the patties are not good to use and that it could cause SHB ? Should I go and remove these patties ?
Thank you
I believe Vivaldi boards are to alleviate moisture issues. I use home made quilt boxes in the winter but remove them in spring. Im sure a standard inner cover or hive mat will work just fine for you this time of year. There are a ton of gadgets out there. Most of them are probably not necessary imo.
>Am I to gain from that statement that the patties are not good to use and that it could cause SHB ? Should I go and remove these patties ?
They do not cause SHB but if they are not eaten soon they will attract them. I wouldn't necessarily remove but, I would not leave them in for long.
Removing them is up to you. But the bees will prefer the fresh pollen to the patties and small hive beetles will thrive on the patties.
Leave them in for 3 days. However much is left then is how much they should be fed and checked each 3 days and remove the remainder.
The 3 days mentioned is due to the SHBs will lay their eggs in the pollen and hatch in 3 days. That is why you need to clean it out.
I recommend you not use pollen patties here in the south. I would be willing to bet your bees have plenty of natural pollen.
Jim
Quote from: sawdstmakr on April 29, 2018, 11:21:22 PM
The 3 days mentioned is due to the SHBs will lay their eggs in the pollen and hatch in 3 days. That is why you need to clean it out.
I recommend you not use pollen patties here in the south. I would be willing to bet your bees have plenty of natural pollen.
Jim
I did not realize that the Pollen Patties were that much of a magnet. I have 1 pale feeder and then another will arrive tomorrow. .. I will stop by the store tomorrow and pick up 4 bags of sugar and make some syrup . Do you think fondant is a good source ?
Thank you once again
>Do you think fondant is a good source ?
This time of year a light 1:1 syrup would be best way to feed. It it closest to nectar which is what they need for raising brood. Fondant, sugar bricks and thick syrup are best in the fall/winter for them to store.
DJ,
For you right now, you will probably be wasting your money. I think your flow is starting now and if it is, the bees will ignore the sugar water. Bees prefer nectar to sugar water. If there is no flow, then 1 to 1 is what you want to feed them to stimulate the queen to lay eggs and build brood levels.
Jim
Hey everyone , should I be concerned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
came home walked out to set and watch the bees. I noticed a bee walking on the concrete. I thought how odd. it does not seem to be able to fly.. I put my hand down the bee walks on..
The be is gray.. Powdery gray and it has a varroa mite on it. .. Concerned,, Did both of my boxes come with bees and varroa or is it just this one hive ? How bad is it ? What is up with the Gray bee ? Please all thoughts . I am at a loss.
Thank you
DJ
Most hives have mites to some extent. I?m very surprised you saw one on a bee on your first day. I rarely ever see any on bees and I have an observation hive. Did you look at the wings for Deformed Wing Virus? There is a good chance that?s why she was on the ground.
Jim
No, to be honest the only reason I think i noticed is because the bee was ash grey. when I picked up the bee I noticed the mite. It was just by chance that I seen it. I did not think to look for any other issues. but I will keep that in mind next weekend when I check the hive.
Okay, I got home today and installed a pale feeder in my foundation-less hive. I am concerned because I cannot tell if it was leaking or not once it is in place. I do not think it is but then again when I first flipped the pales over it was slowly dripping. Any thoughts?
My original thought was to remove the partial / half of the pollen patty that I had put in place however the bees were still all over it so I just left it and went ahead and put down the full pale feeder. I am just hoping it does not leak , can anyone give me some advice on this.
Thank you
When you first turn over the feeder, it will leak a little until it creates a vaccum. It shouldn't take long for it to stop. There may be some remaining drops hanging on when you put it on the hive.
Quote from: cao on April 30, 2018, 06:21:03 AM
>Do you think fondant is a good source ?
This time of year a light 1:1 syrup would be best way to feed. It it closest to nectar which is what they need for raising brood. Fondant, sugar bricks and thick syrup are best in the fall/winter for them to store.
Sense I only installed the Pale of syrup in the foundation-less hive I did 2:1 two bags of sugar to 1 gallon of water. I was informed that this would help stimulate wax production.
Is this correct ?
DJ,
I?m not sure if 2 to 1 will stimulate wax production, bees holding nectar/honey in their crop causes wax production. The problem is this is spring. You want to stimulate the queen to produce eggs. 2 to 1 does not stimulate egg production. If there in no flow, then I would feed them 1 to 1. If they have, in your case, no place to store it then they will produce wax.
Jim
Quote from: sawdstmakr on May 03, 2018, 01:01:56 PM
DJ,
I?m not sure if 2 to 1 will stimulate wax production, bees holding nectar/honey in their crop causes wax production. The problem is this is spring. You want to stimulate the queen to produce eggs. 2 to 1 does not stimulate egg production. If there in no flow, then I would feed them 1 to 1. If they have, in your case, no place to store it then they will produce wax.
Jim
Good deal.. I will make the change to 1:1 "1 sugar to 1 gallon of water"
Okay, I went when I got home today to remove what was left of the half pollen patties. " I do not think I will ever use them again"
One reason is that it is like a melted peace of taffy.. When I removed the inner cover they were about 8 bees stuck upside down on the pollen patty and 3 were dead. .. .. Once this is gone I do not think I will touch the stuff again.
I had planned to do a full inspection of both hives but while changing the syrup on the foundation-less hive and trying to remove the pollen patty I took a moment to look through some frames... I was not able to find the queen but I did see what I thought was a queen cell that was open..
I am looking for someone in the area that can help me do an inspection this Sunday so that I can follow along and learn how to properly do the inspection , Oh yeah did I mentioned that I ended up killing some bees.. I felt so bad.. It was a terrible feeling to hear that crunch.. apparently I cannot properly put on a 2nd deep box without smashing bees @#$#%$$%#$^#$ ..
any possible help is always welcome.
No reason to be alarmed if you find queen cups. This time of year they build them. Hold frame upside down with the sun to your back and look inside the cup. If there is an egg or larvae in the cup then u have an issue. Try not to stress too much dj. The bees usually know what theyre doing. Hopefully you find a local beekeeper to help you out.
PS-It sucks to smash bees but every beekeeper does it ;)
DJ,
When you put the super back on, turn it 30 degrees to the right or left, slowly lower it wiggling it as you make contact and slowly turn it to line up with the box below.
You can also puff a little smoke across the top frames to move the bees down into the hive and then add the super.
Jim
What Dustymunky and Sawdstmakr said. :smile: