Hello from CT

JohnLocke · April 19, 2014, 07:35:41 PM

Greetings all,
I have been reading all the great info and advice on this site for a while and have finally gotten my first package of bees. I am trying to go as natural as possible: foundationless, treatment free etc. I installed my first package of bees today and the install went much smoother than expected. I guess now I need someone to tell me not to look in and see what is going on in that hive...hard to stay away. I am a teacher and have gotten some help from parents of students who keep bees locally but I value the opinions of those who are active on this forum.

I don't know if this is where I should post this question...when should I check first? I did a direct release of the queen so I know I have to take the queen cage out at some point and check for comb building (hopefully aligned on the frame guides) but I am nervous about waiting too long or disturbing them too soon. Any advice would be great.

ScituateMA · April 19, 2014, 08:16:54 PM

hi
you should feed them. they need syrup to draw wax.I f i were you, i would not go foundationless way.they will make a lot of drone cells which you dont need that much. you also should treat them for varroa sooner or later at some point. otherwise they will DIE. they are package bees not from a treatment free stock. honey bees are not native to the USA.so the best natural way should be then not to keep them. they are like our pets. they need our help sometime

AllenF · April 19, 2014, 09:19:19 PM

Welcome to the forum. Foundationless is harder to do for new bee keepers. With no wax foundation, starter strips, or melted or speared wax for scent, the bees like leave. But can be done. I would give them several days before checking and opening the hive.

JohnLocke · April 20, 2014, 07:44:40 AM

Thanks for the input. I am going to check in on them in a couple days. I guess for now it is just keep the feeder on and think happy thoughts.

Happy Easter!

BeeMaster2 · April 20, 2014, 08:34:34 AM

I would ask the seller what they were treating with. I am not treating my hives but I am using feral hives to do it. Bees that have been dependent on the beek to control mites probably have not selected the queen with the genes necessary to control the mites and SHB's. If the sellerr did not treat, then you will probably bee OK. Being a package, you should bee OK till fall. During the late summer, keep an eye on your mite drop.
Good luck.
Jim

tefer2 · April 20, 2014, 10:01:00 AM

Welcome to the forum John.

Joe D · April 20, 2014, 10:45:33 AM

Welcome to the forum, John. Take into thought what you read here and also listen to your local people. Join your local bee club. It would be easier to start with some foundation. As far as them building drone cells, they will build what they think they need. Some treat and some don't, we all lose some. Good luck

Joe

JohnLocke · April 20, 2014, 05:40:44 PM

Thanks. I still need to join the local club. I got in touch but didn't show up to the meeting. I guess now that I have bees I should get on that.

SueCT · April 20, 2014, 11:12:43 PM

Hi John - welcome! I'm also in CT - Naugatuck! Lots of great help with the local Beekeepers groups here in CT! We are awaiting our first bees - our Nucs will be ready for pickup 2nd week of May. My father and grandfather were both beeks, so I've been around bees most of my life, but have not had hives of my own to manage. Things have changed since my dad last had a hive, so I still have plenty to learn! ;)

Really great beekeeping series going on at Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury - you missed the first couple of meetings, but may still be able to join in (and honestly haven't missed all that much that you probably haven't already read in books or on online forums. Next meeting is coming up this Friday at 7pm - it's a package install demo and may also include hive inspection of a couple of the hives on the Flanders property. If you do a web search on Flanders Nature Center and click on their calendar, you'll find the information. Tried to post a link, but got an error message that I can't post web links as I'm new on the forum.

You might also want to check out the CT Beekeepers Association. They have meetings down in Woodbury and also out in Hamden at Lockwood Farms. Their bee school in February was good - and packed! I missed their meeting last weekend, but hope to make the June meeting. More info on the CT Beekeepers Association website.

Have fun with your new hives - looking forward to seeing your updates! Sue ([email protected])

JohnLocke · April 21, 2014, 09:21:29 PM

Wow...seems like I am way behind you. Best of luck with your nucs. I am definitely going to check out Flanders. I have done a lot of reading but there is nothing like seeing and doing to in order to learn. I am going to the next meeting of the association in sw CT but if I can get some time around hives with people who know what they're doing I will be that much more comfortable.

fruitveggirl · April 27, 2014, 11:04:05 AM

Hi! I'm also in CT! Kudos on going natural as much as possible. What kind of hives do you have?

Also, I highly recommend joining one of CT's 3 beekeeping clubs. They're a great place to find mentors and have all your questions answered. I belong to the CT Beekeeper's Assoc. We had a couple of brilliant talks by Chris Harp a few weeks ago on natural beekeeping. In June, Sam Comfort of Anarchy Apiaries is going to speak.

Good luck with your bees & keep us posted! Cheers!

SueCT · April 30, 2014, 07:31:47 PM

Was so disappointed to miss the natural beekeeping discussion - had it on the calendar, but was in the process of building new stone wall in the back yard to create a flat terrace for the hives. Decided I had to make that a priority because we're picking up our nucs in Sterling in a week. I actually saw some photos of my grandfather and Mr. Avitabile at a CT Beekeepers Association meeting from something like 25 years ago when the group met out in Bethlehem at the convent - apparently, the nuns kept hives on the property and used to let them use the convent for meetings. It was kind of sentimental to meet him at a CBA meeting - sort of a link to my grandfather. I have very vivid memories of spending summer afternoons in grandpa's gardens in Shelton and watching the bees fan the hive. I used to repeatedly check on the birdbath and rescue bees that I thought in danger of drowning get back to the edge or onto one of the rocks placed there for their safety. This is going to be quite a sentimental journey for me!

SueCT · April 30, 2014, 07:39:12 PM

Quote from: JohnLocke on April 21, 2014, 09:21:29 PM
Wow...seems like I am way behind you. Best of luck with your nucs. I am definitely going to check out Flanders. I have done a lot of reading but there is nothing like seeing and doing to in order to learn. I am going to the next meeting of the association in sw CT but if I can get some time around hives with people who know what they're doing I will be that much more comfortable.

Not at all, John. I've got tons to learn, and that's part of the joy of this adventure! You might also want to plan a visit to the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center some day soon - if you call ahead, see if you can find out when you can visit when Dawn will be there. She maintains their observation hive and is a local beekeeper and educator. She's wonderful to talk to and is very generous with her time and knowledge.

Hope you'll post updates as you get started!