THE BEES........THE BEES.........

[mgates61]

Hey all......

I have my bees ordered....got a call from R Weaver  to confirm the order , so i am now in the dreaded waiting stage.............

GOing to order some start up equipment tomorrow.  As always.....thanks for all the advise and info from all the "old timers" here.

[JP]

Congratulations!

Best of luck, JP

[indypartridge]

I have my bees ordered....
GOing to order some start up equipment tomorrow.  As always.....thanks for all the advise and info from all the "old timers" here.

Practice using your smoker before you need it. Try different types of fuels; see how long it will stay lit; how often you need to puff it to keep it lit; practice re-lighting it when it's hot, etc. Good Luck!

[Cindi]

I have my bees ordered....
GOing to order some start up equipment tomorrow.  As always.....thanks for all the advise and info from all the "old timers" here.

Practice using your smoker before you need it. Try different types of fuels; see how long it will stay lit; how often you need to puff it to keep it lit; practice re-lighting it when it's hot, etc. Good Luck!

Indypartride.  Now that was some really, really good advice.  I agree with you.  It takes a lot of time and practice to get really good at this, what seems to be such a simple thing to do.  They even have contests at our bee fairs to see who can have the smoker that lasts the longest, that says something right there.

It is a good idea to get the smoker going at least 10 minutes before you want to work with the hives.   That way you will have that smoke that is ready and hopefully won't let you down.

If you want to let your smoker go out, that has been pointed out, lay the smoker on the side.  Remember to always keep it vertical when working with the bees, because if it falls over on its side, it will indeed go out, or even just slow down so much that you have to get it going really well again.  Have a great and wonderful day, enjoy your life you live.  Cindi

[Scadsobees]

Shucks...don't worry about the smoker.  Just put something highly volatile like pine needles or paper in there and use a lighter to re-light it everytime you pick it up.  :roll:  That is what I usually end up doing.

Waiting...to me that builds the anticipation level high and keeps beekeeping fun. I have every winter to wait....so I have to find useful things to do to keep busy.  The question is whether I'll get all my jobs done before spring happens....

Rick

[qa33010]

    I'm evidently having problems with emailing/pm ing you.  But the answer is not a problem!  Come on down!

[mgates61]

I got your PM and sent a reply. :)