Need help with organization

Rachel · April 03, 2008, 10:32:04 AM

OK, this may sound very confusing. I am keeping my bees at an old historic house down the street...it is owned by the county (I think). There are a few other beekeepers there, that know what they are doing, but when I ask them questions, they seem to talk in some kind of "bee jargon" and assume I know what they are talking about! I am clueless! I keep telling them that! Anyway, originally, I was going to split two hives with a friend. We ordered two packs of bees that are arriving on the 12th. She talked to one of the other beekeepers there, and got scared away, and now she's wimped out on me....leaving me with two packs of bees and a mish-mosh of equipment. I originally had bought stuff for my ONE hive, she was going to take care of the other. Now I ordered some new stuff, but as I said, I'm clueless! Here is what I have:

2 bottom boards (one is here, one is supposed to arrive soon)
2 hive bodies
1 Medium super
1 shallow super
2 queen excluders (one here, one in route...do I even need these?)
1 inner cover (don't know why i forgot the other)
2 telescoping tops
Frames and foundation for all

How should I arrange these for two packs of bees?
Thanks for you help.

Cindi · April 03, 2008, 11:06:17 AM

Rachel, I won't comment on your needs for the bees right now, my "job", in my own mind's eye, is to support you. I feel badly that you have had a bad run in with these beekeepers, you are a new beekeeper and you need to be treated gently. You have obviously felt that you have had a rough treatment, not good......Too bad also that you friend got turned off, thank goodness you didn't. This is where being a member in this forum will help you out, you need some support here and we will not treat you like we are not listening. We will not use bee jargon that will frighten you off, we are here to help, and we were all once new beekeepers and some of us have had to learn things the hard way too. Wait for responses, girl, they will come, and it will help you to feel a way more comfortable than what you are feeling right now. I am sorry that you had such a hard knock on the first attempts to keep bees. We need to encourage new beekeepers, not scare them off. The world needs more of these wonderful people that keep bees, you will become one of these, and this will give you strength to one day help a new beekeeper, just like you have been helped. Keep on keeping on girl, keep that chin up and the strength will come. Have a beautiful and wonderful day, Cindi

Kathyp · April 03, 2008, 11:29:19 AM

you have enough to put two hives together from packages. you will probably need a little more before the summer is out. here is what i did with my first packages. maybe it will help you.

i had: 1 bottom board-----1 deep super (box)-----10 frames-----foundation------top.

there are many other things you can buy and other configurations that you will learn as you go. no point in adding to your confusion now. :-) you don't need to worry about excluders right now.

the short of it is, you are ok.

indypartridge · April 03, 2008, 12:46:00 PM

Hi Rachel,

Most of the beekeepers I've met since I started have been very helpful. I'm really sorry the ones you've met haven't been. As kathyp said, you have enough equipment to get started, so don't panic.

Beside the beeks that haven't been helpful, are you connected with a beekeeping club? There are several in your immediate area. Although I've heard of a few clubs that are mostly "good ol' boys", generally clubs are very eager to help new beekeepers. Many offer beginning beekeeping classes. Call around, attend a few meetings, find a club that has lots of friendly beekeepers.
http://www.pastatebeekeepers.org/Reports/Map/2007%20Contacts%20and%20Inspectors.html

Here are a few photos my daughter took of me installing a couple of new packages last spring, just so you can see how easy it is:
http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/nn64/indypartridge/installing%20bees/?action=view&current=IM_A0002.jpg

Don't hesitate to ask questions. This is a great forum for learning about beekeeping!

Good Luck!

dlmarti · April 03, 2008, 01:12:03 PM

Quote from: Rachel on April 03, 2008, 10:32:04 AM
OK, this may sound very confusing. I am keeping my bees at an old historic house down the street...it is owned by the county (I think).

Sounds like a sweet deal, how did you get permission, and how do you not know who owns it? I've been looking for new sites, so I like to hear these things.

Quote from: Rachel on April 03, 2008, 10:32:04 AMThere are a few other beekeepers there, that know what they are doing, but when I ask them questions, they seem to talk in some kind of "bee jargon" and assume I know what they are talking about!

I'm sorry to hear that. My suggestion would be to remain friendly with them, and just for the time being avoid them. They probably aren't bad people, just not used to the mentor role.

Go to your local library and take out every book about bee keeping, tons of starting information to be had for free. Most fields/hobbies have their own language, a lot is unnecessary, but its just something you need to work through.

After your more comfortable with the jargon, and the basics you can reconnect with the other beekeepers.

Quote from: Rachel on April 03, 2008, 10:32:04 AMAnyway, originally, I was going to split two hives with a friend. We ordered two packs of bees that are arriving on the 12th. She talked to one of the other beekeepers there, and got scared away, and now she's wimped out on me....leaving me with two packs of bees and a mish-mosh of equipment.

great!, you lucked out. Its much easier with two hives than one. Get the hives started, and invite your friend back for a look, maybe you can get her interested in helping out.

Quote from: Rachel on April 03, 2008, 10:32:04 AM

Quote from: Rachel on April 03, 2008, 10:32:04 AMI originally had bought stuff for my ONE hive, she was going to take care of the other. Now I ordered some new stuff, but as I said, I'm clueless!

Make up a hive composed of 1 bottom board, a hive body, frames, and top cover (on one hive use the inner cover). The inner cover is mostly used for insulation from the heat, ventilation, and ease of putting on the telescoping cover. Inner covers are relatively cheap, and you can pick one up before the heat of August.

You might want to pick up a couple of feeders. I think there is a Dadant store to your north, just over the border of NY.

Good luck!

CBEE · April 03, 2008, 01:46:37 PM

Sorry you are not getting the help you need. All the beeks in my local club fall all over themselves wanting to help and make sure you succeed. :-D You do have at least a veil and smoker ? If not you need at least that and I would go ahead and order a few more medium supers and frames if you have the sawbucks. Rather to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them. Everyone here will help as much as they can but I would surely think someone close to you would help. You just gotta keep looking.

Michael Bush · April 03, 2008, 09:01:28 PM

If you plan to use the deeps for the brood then put the bottom boards on something to keep them off the dirt (bricks, old boards whatever) get them level. Put the deep box on top of that full of frames with foundation or some kind of guide. Install the bees in the one box and put the lid on (inner and outer cover or migratory cover).

This might help with the jargon:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesterms.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesglossary.htm