My first install...yikes

Started by TheMasonicHive, April 12, 2010, 08:13:08 AM

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TheMasonicHive

April 12, 2010, 08:13:08 AM
Hey everyone,


Got my bees into their home last night, but don't really think I did all that great on the install.  Made a few textbook errors I think.

First and foremost my spray bottles "mist" function was clearly not working properly so I was shooting streams onto the bees.  Didn't seem to bother them that much, but certainly made it to where they weren't sticking as much.

Next, and probably my biggest concern, is that I didn't have a nail to remove the cork from the queen cage to expose the candy.  So I had to use some pliers.  In the midst of using said pliers I pushed inward to grab more cork (as it was falling apart) and accidently pushed the cork, and the candy into the cage WITH the queen.  It was really late, so I couldn't see if I hurt her, but I don't think I did.

I plugged it with a marshmallow and put it upside down (candy side down) in between two frames.

There was no "bracket" to hang her in there with, so I had to press two frames together and hope that it'll hold.

I don't know.  First time doing this and kinda freaking out!
Christopher Peace
Oakland County, MI

"It teaches us that, as we come into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow-creatures around us are in want, when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience to ourselves." - Freemasonry on the Beehive

indypartridge

#1
April 12, 2010, 08:21:41 AM
QuoteI plugged it with a marshmallow...
Actually, it sounds like you were well prepared and able to handle things as they went amiss. The very first time is always a rush of excitement and nervousness.

Enjoy your bees, you'll do great.

buzzbee

#2
April 12, 2010, 09:53:16 PM
You dealt with it just fine.Good job!

Michael Bach

#3
April 12, 2010, 10:56:00 PM
Good luck with your hive.

I just installed my new hives this weekend.  I have four beautiful new colonies.  I was a novice too.

My cork did not want to come out either.  Just crumbled like yours.  I found that a tooth pick worked great.  One queen cage was completely combed over and I had to gently pick t it to see if she was alive.

Good luck

What an amazing experience.

Beaver Dam

#4
April 13, 2010, 12:19:36 AM
Yep. Been working bees for 3 years now. Haven't seen the same thing in a day as of yet. Includes cutouts and swarm capture. You just have to bee ready for any thing....

TheMasonicHive

#5
April 13, 2010, 12:43:18 PM
Well, my major concern is that the bit of cork I pushed in, and the candy are resting on the hole, as the cage is pointing with the hole down.

I really don't know how to manually release the queen, which I'm suspecting I'll have to do, if she's even alive.
Christopher Peace
Oakland County, MI

"It teaches us that, as we come into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow-creatures around us are in want, when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience to ourselves." - Freemasonry on the Beehive

beek4018

#6
April 13, 2010, 02:43:40 PM
I hived my first last week, and made some major mistakes as well, but al seems to be well.

I was surprised to see that when I went back to check on the queen's release,they'd actually eaten all of the candy out and not just a tunnel to get her out.  There was nothing left, so I think she'll be fine and they'll get her out. 

Let us know how things look when you go in in a few days.

Kathyp

#7
April 13, 2010, 02:57:56 PM
if you have to release her, hold the cage low over the hive, or in the hive and peel the screen back with the screen side facing sideways a bit and against some drawn comb.  she'll usually just walk out onto a frame and you are good.
The people the people are the rightful masters of both congresses and courts not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.

Abraham  Lincoln
Speech in Kansas, December 1859

TheMasonicHive

#8
April 15, 2010, 08:05:23 PM
Checked the hive today.  The queen is out, and I've got some drawn comb.

I'm pretty sure I was seeing eggs too, but my mission today was just to release the queen.  We'll see what happens in a week or so!
Christopher Peace
Oakland County, MI

"It teaches us that, as we come into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow-creatures around us are in want, when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience to ourselves." - Freemasonry on the Beehive

Sparky

#9
April 15, 2010, 09:57:11 PM
Quote from: TheMasonicHive on April 13, 2010, 12:43:18 PM
Well, my major concern is that the bit of cork I pushed in, and the candy are resting on the hole, as the cage is pointing with the hole down.

I really don't know how to manually release the queen, which I'm suspecting I'll have to do, if she's even alive.
The next time that  you secure the queen cage between two frames, try to put the screen side of the cage facing down so that the cage runs horizontal to the top bar. That will help to keep the release hole from getting plugged up. Sounds like you off and running just fine, even with a couple of burps, they are working it out.  ;)

sarafina

#10
April 16, 2010, 03:34:58 PM
I am glad it worked out ok for you.

My first hiving was textbook, no "glitches".  The next year I hived my second one I had the same thing happen - couldn't get a grip on the cork with a nail or needle nose pliers and ended up pushing it into the cage instead.  And I was taking my time and not all nervous like I was my first time.  It ended up ok also and she  was released when I checked a few days later.

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