Beginning Bee Keeper seeks advice

[two dogs]

Hi all,

We just started this year with a single hive in Ann Arbor, MI.  Hive seems to be going well, but I have noticed that recently in the evening and at night, quite a few bees are hanging out at the entrance outside of brood box.  It's been pretty hot here, so I thought it was temperature related.  Didn't know if this was normal behavour or not, so thought I'd ask. 

If it is temperature, is there a good way of controlling it.  The hive is located on the south side of our lot and the sun can get pretty brutal there for about 5 hours.  We have taken to setting up an awning that blocks the sun from about 3:00 pm on.  Any thoughts on that?

Thanks in advance.

2 dogs

[Kathyp]

the bees are pretty good at regulating hive temp.  they move out when it's to hot and hang out in front.  you can use a stick or something top prop up the top a bit and let some of the heat out.  you just have to watch for robbers.  you should also have a SBB with the tray removed.

make sure they have access to water.

[dlmarti]

Thats either temp or crowding related.

For crowding, add supers, swap brood boxes, add slated rack, etc.  You need to read a decent book, and decide what your take is on the subject.  They all contradict each other.

For Temp., add a screen bottom board, prop up your telescoping cover, add supers, or split the hive.

In all probability you don't have to do anything unless it gets really bad, it probably just normal temp/crowd control.

The biggest thing that confuses me as a beginner, is how often the "experts" contradict each other, on the subject of bee keeping.
Everyone claims that "their" way works the best, and all other methods lead to disaster.

I have become convinced that bee keeping, is much less a science, and more of an art form.   If your good at your particular form of art, it all works out (with a little help from the bees).

After reading more books than I care to admit on the subject, and listening to numerous "expert" opinions, I'm pretty much trying to follow the "art" of M. Bush.  His site is here.

[Kathyp]

The biggest thing that confuses me as a beginner, is how often the "experts" contradict each other, on the subject of bee keeping.
Everyone claims that "their" way works the best, and all other methods lead to disaster.

:-)

read all.  take what works for you.  be inventive.  when you go to do something, don't.  take a break and rethink.  if it still seems like a good idea after a cup of coffee (or whatever) try it.

many ideas.  much adaptation.  more common sense.

[two dogs]

Thanks all.....

There does seem to be a good deal of advice on the subject and it is hard to tell what is what.  With regard to the crowding comment, I just installed the bees 5 weeks ago, and I have two stacked brood boxes - 19 frames with one frame feeder.  Last time I checked, about 3 weeks ago, the bees had only filled up 3 or 4 frames.  Based on what I know about bee life cycle, which, admittedly, is not much, there hasn't been enough time for enough bees to develop to overcrowd the hive yet.  I have been resisting (with strong encouragment from my wife!) not to crack open the hive at every opportunity and check it out.

I have noticed that just recently, last couple of days, lots of bees are simply circling the hive, flying up 20 + feet and back to the hive entrance, similar to the orientation flights during installation.  I was thinking that some of the younger bees were getting ready to start foraging.  Whatever the reason, with the onset of the hotter weather, there is a lot more activity around the hive.  Hopefully, this is normal!

With regard to water, do folks normally provide it , e.g., with a bird bath.  Should it be in close proximity of the hive?  we have a couple of bird baths, in our yard away from the hive.  Is that sufficient.

Finally, any recommendations on good reference material would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks in advance.

2 dogs

[tillie]

As a Michael Bush fan, I'll also encourage you to go to his site.  Since the link didn't appear in dlmarti's post, here it is:

http://www.bushfarms.com/bees.htm

Here's his advice for newbees:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnewbees.htm

Linda T in Atlanta
PS Sorry, dlmarti, it doesn't show as a different color in my computer, but now I realize that you set up "here" as a link.

[dlmarti]

PS Sorry, dlmarti, it doesn't show as a different color in my computer, but now I realize that you set up "here" as a link.

No problem.

I'm also a fan of Tillie's site, H E R E.
Love the videos...

[two dogs]

got it bookmarked...thanks

[dlmarti]

With regard to the crowding comment, I just installed the bees 5 weeks ago, and I have two stacked brood boxes - 19 frames with one frame feeder.  Last time I checked, about 3 weeks ago, the bees had only filled up 3 or 4 frames.  Based on what I know about bee life cycle, which, admittedly, is not much, there hasn't been enough time for enough bees to develop to overcrowd the hive yet.  I have been resisting (with strong encouragment from my wife!) not to crack open the hive at every opportunity and check it out.

Then I agree, its not crowding.  Probably temp.
I would consider a screened bottom board, not only will it help with the temp, but will also keep the hive healthier.

I have noticed that just recently, last couple of days, lots of bees are simply circling the hive, flying up 20 + feet and back to the hive entrance, similar to the orientation flights during installation.  I was thinking that some of the younger bees were getting ready to start foraging.  Whatever the reason, with the onset of the hotter weather, there is a lot more activity around the hive.  Hopefully, this is normal!

I see it here also, I'm too new to say for sure, but it looks normal.

With regard to water, do folks normally provide it , e.g., with a bird bath.  Should it be in close proximity of the hive?  we have a couple of bird baths, in our yard away from the hive.  Is that sufficient.

If you have clean water within a half mile of the house, you don't need to do anything.

On that subject, I'm looking for one of those tiny water pumps that run off of a solar cell.  I was going to make a bee watering station out of it.  That is my plan.

Finally, any recommendations on good reference material would be greatly appreciated. 

Go to the library check out everything they got, and read it.  After that do searchs on Amazon, get the ISBN number and ask your reference librarian to get the book for you through inter-library loan.  Once you find a book that you click with, buy that one :)

[Michael Bush]

Bearding is normal in hot weather.  If there is a lot of it, I'd provide room and ventilation.  If there is still a lot of it, it's just hot.

[annette]

Regarding the tiny water pump running on solar cell. I had a solar fountain up at the bee hive last summer. They never would go to it. Perhaps you will have more success. I had bought a whole unit including the bowls and stand for $100.00. Way to much money, but I was trying to make the bees happy.

The bees have finally settled for a pond I have about 250 feet from the hives where they suck up water from the concrete surrounding the pools.

If you are still interested I can look through my receipts and try to find the place I bought it.

Annette

[two dogs]

annette,

Thanks for the advice:  I'm planning on letting the bees figure it out - we've got some streams and backyard ponds within~ 1/2 mile of the house. 

[Kirk-o]

You know it gets hotter than heck here in Los Angeles so I give my bees plenty of room and crack the lid haven't had bearding for some time now
kirko