New hive

[kattz]

Question: I’m new to beekeeping and have mainly done lots of research. I was wondering if it’s too late to start a new hive and new bees this late in the season. It will take me at least 2 weeks to get everything put together, and then there is the problem of getting bees this late in the year, any thoughts

[Mici]

- read more (if you have the will, i don't  :D )
- from gathering info gather the rest of the equipment
- go to a local beekeeper, talk to him and stuff

if you follow this 3 simple points you will:
- most probably not buy bees this year
- the beekeeper-if he's a real beekeeper will give you a swarm or 2 in the next year
- you will find yourself in the situation "darn, what now, i don't have xx thing" less often
- try to catch your own swarm with traps maybe
- avoid unnecessary costs and problems with overwintering



This are just my thoughts, it's my 1st year to, so....it might not be the best answer but i think the advice is not so bad.

[TwT]

im not sure of texas flows and when winter really hits, if it were me I would get all my equipment bought and ready and order package's or nuc's for next year and start in the spring, rememeber it is always best to atlest get 2 hives going so you have something to compare with besides that will make it twice as fun... I would wait till next year, this will give you more time to read and learn plus time to get everything ready for 1, 2, or more hives....

[kattz]

Thank you! Ted that's kind of what i was thinking wait until next spring and in the mean time get on this site ask more questions and learn from all the old pros. It's an awsome site and i have found it to be very helpful.

[Brian D. Bray]

I always recommend enough equipment to start 2 hives 3 or 4 boxes high plus enough to catch 2 swarms (2-4 extra boxes). That also means 4 top and bottom boards.  If you don't catch swarms you have enough equipment to give your bees sufficient supers during the flows of spring & summer.
Winter is when beekeepers build and paint there equipment for the next year.  Start ordering now.  I recommend using all medium sized boxes.  If you search the enteries in this forum you'll find out why or go to www.beekeepersvoice.com and check the getting started page.

[kattz]

Thank you Brian on that information, being a newbie and trying to pick up enough information so that hopefully i can start on the right foot. I know i'll learn from my mistakes but i sure don't want to do too many of those. Thats why i figured this is a great site to read and learn.

[zan]

i was wandering how can beginers cach a swarm ???
thanks, zan.

[Brian D. Bray]

Here in the USA beekeepers interested in picking up swarms of bees usually do 1 of 4 things.
Set out a swarm trap or empty hive in areas where swarms have been known to settle in the past.
Contact local animal control or police agencies which are often the 1st to be notified of unwanted guests.  I have my name on a list with the local authorites.
Word of mouth, let your friends and neighbors know you're looking for a swarm of bees.
Serendipity.

[Michael Bush]

> I was wondering if it’s too late to start a new hive

Yes.  I haven't seen packages available past May.  Even if you found a nuc there's not time for it to build up.  You might be able to set up on observation hive from a nuc, but it's have to be a thriving nuc.

> and new bees this late in the season. It will take me at least 2 weeks to get everything put together, and then there is the problem of getting bees this late in the year, any thoughts

Read about your choices:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnewbees.htm

Choose carefully what you want to do.  Buy the equipment.  Assemble the equipment.  Read more books.