Hello everyone, New beekeeper North Central Florida

RaMerc · May 23, 2015, 08:56:39 PM

Hello,

I would like to say I'm glad to have found this forum. I am new to beekeeping and I'm getting my children involved so they can learn about the importance of bees and all that they do for us. We don't currently have any bees but the kids and I are getting ready to build our first top bar beehive out of a 55 gallon plastic drum similar to the one in the attachment. We have been researching and this one seems to be a good start for us. However, we would appreciate any help/suggestions for our task ahead. We hope to learn a lot from everyone and cant wait to get started.

Maggiesdad · May 23, 2015, 10:45:34 PM

Welcome to Beemaster!

pdmattox · May 24, 2015, 07:19:51 AM

Welcome to the group.

BeeMaster2 · May 24, 2015, 08:45:49 AM

Welcome to Beemaster. Add your location to your profile. It will be important when you ask questions. Since your still in the research phase, I recommend starting out with 8 frame medium Langstroth hives. A lot less weight and all of the frames are interchangeable. If you go with a top bar hive, you need to be very careful about how you handle the bar. You have to keep the comb vertical. Especially when it is new. It can easily break of and drop a thousands bees at your feet and they will not be happy.
Jim

RaMerc · May 24, 2015, 12:30:55 PM

Thanks for the welcome and the info, I definitely would not want that to happen. Ill keep you guys updated with pictures as we move forward and to seek answer to my questions. I put my location on profile can someone verify for me that it is showing? Thanks again.

Dallasbeek · May 24, 2015, 01:06:05 PM

Welcome to the forum and yes, your location shows. Hope you find beekeeping a pleasure and rewarding. Read and learn a lot and feel free to ask questions, no matter how trivial you may think they are.

GSF · May 26, 2015, 08:28:31 AM

Welcome

Rurification · May 26, 2015, 08:49:16 AM

Welcome to the forum! I started bees because I wanted them myself....Now, even my 16 yo daughter who has never been a fan of bugs has gotten curious and works the bees with me [full suit and would be in total body armor if she could, but there she is right next to me looking for the queen on a frame.] I think your kids are going to love the bees.