New to Beekeeping and Forum

Slowmodem · October 11, 2011, 11:27:25 AM

Hello!

I live in Meigs County, TN, about half-way between Chattanooga and Knoxville, on the eastern shore of Watts Bar Lake.

Around the middle of August, a coworker told me that he had too many bees, and that if I would get a hive, he'd give me some bees to start my own colony. So I got a deep and some frames and a top and went to his place. I gave him five new frames, and he gave me five of his "active" frames. He told me they'd make a queen and that it would be ok. Got them home ok and all seems well. I've been feeding them with a hive top feeder. I started out feeding 1 to 1 but have since upped it to two to one. They are going through about 3 gallons a week.

I tried to read a lot about this before getting the bees, but sometimes the material doesn't really click until you have the bees in hand and actually see what is going on. I know it's late in the season for some of this, but I really hope I can get them in good enough shape to make it through the winter. If nothing else, at least I am getting some experience this fall so hopefully I'll be more prepared next spring.

Greg Whitehead
Euchee, TN

PS: The screen name comes from only having dialup internet access. Most days it's 26.4 kbs. So it's a great day if it's 28.8.

VolunteerK9 · October 11, 2011, 11:34:18 AM

Hello. Your just a few counties over from me-welcome to the site. Have you done a check on your hive to see if you do have a queen and of so is she laying good? Also, when you get a chance change your location in your profile-there are several Tn Keeps on here to help you out.

Slowmodem · October 11, 2011, 11:47:51 AM

Quote from: VolunteerK9 on October 11, 2011, 11:34:18 AM
Hello. Your just a few counties over from me-welcome to the site. Have you done a check on your hive to see if you do have a queen and of so is she laying good? Also, when you get a chance change your location in your profile-there are several Tn Keeps on here to help you out.

I did a mite count with the sticky board this past weekend and that looked very good. I was in the hive yesterday and they look well and happy. The bees were returning to the hive loaded down with goldenrod pollen. :)

The problem I found was that a laden 10-frame deep is HEAVY. I will be going to 8-frame mediums next year.

BeeMaster2 · October 11, 2011, 12:29:05 PM

Quote from: Slowmodem on October 11, 2011, 11:27:25 AM
PS: The screen name comes from only having dial-up internet access. Most days it's 26.4 kbs. So it's a great day if it's 28.8.

26.4 KBS, OUCH. I am amazed you can even operate at those speeds. Sorry to hear that. Good luck with your bees.
Jim
P.S I won't tell you what I'm operating at, I don't want to make it worse for you. :-D

VolunteerK9 · October 11, 2011, 01:19:55 PM

Quote from: Slowmodem on October 11, 2011, 11:47:51 AM
Quote from: VolunteerK9 on October 11, 2011, 11:34:18 AM
Hello. Your just a few counties over from me-welcome to the site. Have you done a check on your hive to see if you do have a queen and of so is she laying good? Also, when you get a chance change your location in your profile-there are several Tn Keeps on here to help you out.

I did a mite count with the sticky board this past weekend and that looked very good. I was in the hive yesterday and they look well and happy. The bees were returning to the hive loaded down with goldenrod pollen. :)

The problem I found was that a laden 10-frame deep is HEAVY. I will be going to 8-frame mediums next year.

A 5 frame queenless nuc made in mid August shouldnt have a high mite load with the brood break. After re-reading your post, are you still feeding 3 gallons a week? I cant imagine a 5 frame queenless nuc needing that much syrup. Your hive was queenless for at least 15 days, a few days to mate, and then another 21 days for her brood to hatch. Just make sure that your hive isnt honey bound and really make sure that you have a laying queen. Meanwhile, read, read and read some more and enjoy!

BeeMaster2 · October 11, 2011, 01:22:19 PM

Sounds like you are feeding someone Else's apiary.
Jim

Slowmodem · October 11, 2011, 02:11:42 PM

Quote from: VolunteerK9 on October 11, 2011, 01:19:55 PM

A 5 frame queenless nuc made in mid August shouldnt have a high mite load with the brood break. After re-reading your post, are you still feeding 3 gallons a week? I cant imagine a 5 frame queenless nuc needing that much syrup. Your hive was queenless for at least 15 days, a few days to mate, and then another 21 days for her brood to hatch. Just make sure that your hive isnt honey bound and really make sure that you have a laying queen. Meanwhile, read, read and read some more and enjoy!

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear. I got 5 frames of bees and put them into a 10-frame deep. I now have a second deep on top of that and they're working on those frames now.

Tinker Belle · October 19, 2011, 08:04:46 PM

It seems pretty unlikely that a few frames of queen-less bees would even still be around, let alone engulfing that much sugar syrup without a laying queen & exploding population! Good job getting started. Take off running.

buzzbee · October 19, 2011, 08:14:16 PM

Be sure to remove empty boxes and frames when the cold sets in.A small cluster need np extra room for heat loss.

specialkayme · October 19, 2011, 09:36:59 PM

Welcome to the site!