My Introduction to the Beemaster Forum

Kellybee · February 07, 2015, 01:13:59 PM

I'm a newbee. I was given a 10 frame Langsford hive; 2 brood chambers, 2 supers, top & bottom board. It had wax moths destroy everything bees had built. Going to rehab the hive; use wire brush on all parts, use Bosch heat gun to remove paint, flame all parts, soak all parts in 10% Chlorox solution, then repaint. ANY THOUGHTS ON MY REHAB PLAN? Have ordered local nuc for $100 that I'll pick up 12 miles away. I live in MO., belong to bee club, & have been watching Fatbeeman on Utube. Trying to figure out where to place hive on my 3/4 acre lot. Small backyard where I garden a lot? Large front yard. I have LOTS of oak, hickory, & maple trees, all devoid of leaves in fall & winter, so the should stay warm. Summer there's lots of shade. IS THE SUMMER SHADE A PROBLEM? Best place I can figure is on driveway facing S.E. to get sun. WONDERING IF CARS IN AND OUT OF DRIVEWAY WILL BE A PROBLEM. ANY SUGGESTIONS? LOTS OF SHADE FROM TREES, ONLY A FEW SPOTS TO GET EASTERN & AFTERNOON SUN. DO NOT WANT THEM IN FRONT YARD, BUT WILL IF REQUIRED.

Maggiesdad · February 07, 2015, 03:02:09 PM

Welcome!

... I'll be watching this to see what the oldtimers tell you.

Jim134 · February 07, 2015, 03:20:06 PM

I would like to welcome you to Bee Master
First of all clorox will not kill AFB spores. If you live in the area that has small hive Beatles (SHB)You do not want to hive in the shade at all.It would be nice to put your location your profile

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

mikecva · February 07, 2015, 03:45:36 PM

I presume you will be only painting the outside. I would do everything 3 weeks before I put bees in.

If you end up on your driveway be aware of reflected heat from the driveway so the bees do not get overheated. Good luck. -Mike

GSF · February 08, 2015, 08:07:58 AM

Welcome, hives in full sun w/oil trays - less than 10 beetles in 18 hives (now 16)

CBT · February 08, 2015, 09:04:17 AM

I have hives in the shade without any big problems but if there's a choice full sun is much better. Like he said.

Michael Bush · February 09, 2015, 10:58:44 AM

Give it a once over with the hive tool and put bees in it...

jalentour · February 12, 2015, 11:07:43 PM

Welcome to Beemaster.

Clorox won't anything for wax moths. Do what M. Bush said and let the bees clean it up
Sun is best, shade is ok, a mix of either is ok. Most importantly, keep away from your neighbors and your main path of travel in your yard. They do become a little territorial during dearth. I wouldn't do driveway, but that's just me.
And read Beemaster, the search button is helpful.

Enjoy your bees!

BeeMaster2 · February 13, 2015, 06:36:12 AM

Welcome to Beemaster.
I have on average 12 hives in prime small hive beetle territory. I keep most of my hives in my back yard and they have way too much shade. Spent $1200 to have the trees cut back for sun on them and within one year it fully grew back. Screen bottom boards and oil trays have saved my hives. I have one hive in full sun on an old cemented dog cage. That hive produced half of all the honey that I was able to collect last year. The other hives were moved in the spring to gallberry and were in full sun on a trailer but they only capped about 10 percent of the honey. The one on cement produced 6 medium 10 frames supers of fully capped honey and I left a full super of honey on it for winter. Don't be afraid to put them on the cement.
Jim