hello all from okla.

[yelnifok]

short intro: I have had bees since '94 but have been a beekeeper  since @ 2000. It took me that long to learn that the girls will do what 'they' want to,when they want to. I was building cedar/canvas canoes by hand (no power tools) when a friend introduced me to catching a swarm. "come on it will be fun" he said and you know somthing - it was- and he gave me a hive body to put the girls in and we were lucky enough to see the queen. Then he said "now your a beekeeper" and have been trying to achieve that goal- ever since. He was right- it is fun. yelnifok...

[Joe D]

Welcome to the forum.  And best of luck to you and your bees



Joe

[AllenF]

Welcome to the forum. 

[Hemlock]

yelnifok, Welcome to the forum.

Cedar & canvas canoes!  Do you make your own hive woodenware?  Cedar hives would last forever!  I'd say good luck but it sounds like you already have it.

[Rex Smith]

Welcome!  What part of Oklahoma are you in?

[yelnifok]

thanks all, rex- ne okla -pryor. hemlock- I have thought of using cedar for the wooden ware but red cedar(which is the only available cedar here) has an excess of tannins in it, that is why it does not rot, but this is toxic to the bees. I have made inner covers and screened bottom board frames with cedar and have not noticed any ill effects. ...

[Hemlock]

Whatever wood you use the bees will wax coat the inside of it.  Use cedar if it's cheap and plentiful to you.