First time "holding" bees

jmblakeney · March 19, 2011, 11:15:06 PM

A guy gave me a nuc at the later part of the season last year. It was started too late in the year and ended up hopping on the Jesus train this winter. The nuc is still outside and we went out today and I saw 30-40 bees "visiting" it. I am hoping that a swarm will take up residence this spring sometime. This is the first time I have got to be around bees without protection. Anyway, as they were robbing out the leftover honey we thought we would see if we could hold them without getting stung. I know robbing is not something one would want to encourage but there wasn't that much left in the nuc and I know that it is common to set out "wet" frames or extractors and let the bees clean them up. So I felt it was ok.

I was able to hold a frame and watch them work around on the frame, all w/out gloves or veil. The following is a couple of pics of me and my wife letting them eat some of the honey off our fingers. She through me for a loop when she said she didn't care to do it.They were surprisingly gentle.

This is what the entrance looked like with the bees hurrying in.

This was so much fun being able to have the bees near by and watching them do there thing. I can see why some say its therapeutic to watch b/c I was able to sit and watch them for a couple hours. I can't wait to have some permanently.

Irwin · March 20, 2011, 11:10:53 AM

To me every time I'm around my bee's it's like the first time . Those were some great picture's and I think your hooked now. :-D

JP · March 20, 2011, 11:22:09 AM

Hey Jim, now you can see first hand how getting high on bees is good thing!

...JP

jmblakeney · March 20, 2011, 12:27:02 PM

Quote from: Irwin on March 20, 2011, 11:10:53 AM
I think your hooked now. :-D

Quote from: JP on March 20, 2011, 11:22:09 AM
now you can see first hand how getting high on bees is a good thing.

Absolutely, that was so much fun.

TomP · March 20, 2011, 04:57:10 PM

I remember the first time i put my hand down into a topbar hive body full of bees. It was something I could feel in my stomach. Now I do it with no hesitation. I still have yet to harvest a swarm the way Scawee does here (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,31966.0.html) but am going to try it this season.

yockey5 · June 12, 2011, 02:46:56 PM

I am betting that by now you have had a swarm or two moved in!

ScottAz · September 25, 2011, 02:45:55 PM

Someday, I have got to try "holding" bees. Loved the yelow flower on the hive ... is that to help the bees navigate and find home? Thanks!

jmblakeney · September 25, 2011, 04:37:55 PM

Scott,
The flower was something the gentleman's g-daughter drew and painted on the nuc.

Yockey,
Sorry for just now getting to ur comment, must've missed it somehow. I never did get a swarm into that nuc. But, I did get a colony from a bee tree and a package this season.

Thanks,
James

Sundog · September 25, 2011, 04:57:19 PM

I'm happy for the both of you, having such a good time. I like the flower, I decorate my hives too. Why not, it is all about the enjoyment, at least at my level.

Have fun!

yockey5 · September 25, 2011, 05:26:52 PM

James.
Good to know that you are now, 'in the business'! Bees are fun.