abandoned hive???

Mr T-Bone · November 19, 2005, 10:47:18 AM

I just inherited an abandoned hive, one brood box and one shallow super, full of bees... I'm very new to bees, but have been curious about them for a long time and was going to get some this spring anyway.
My questions are, the bees in this hive are fairly timid and appear healthy, should I medicate them and keep them? What about honey? should I rob some or leave it? I took the top off yesterday and pulled 1 frame out, it was dripping with honey.
Any suggestions or comments are deeply appreciated.
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Jerrymac · November 19, 2005, 12:24:14 PM

What do you mean abandoned hive??? As in, no one has been tending to these bees for quite some time?? If so then I have to wonder why the first thing you think of is medicating this hive when those bees have done fine with out any help???

Mr T-Bone · November 19, 2005, 12:35:51 PM

Quote from: JerrymacWhat do you mean abandoned hive??? As in, no one has been tending to these bees for quite some time??

Yes that's what I mean, it had been left unattended for quite some time, and the folks whose land it was on wanted it removed.

Quote from: JerrymacIf so then I have to wonder why the first thing you think of is medicating this hive when those bees have done fine with out any help???

Because like I said I'm new to this, and I don't know what I should do if anything

Jerrymac · November 19, 2005, 01:05:57 PM

What I would do is;

If the weather is fine, pop the top and look in on them. If it appears there is nothing wrong, and they have plenty of stores for the winter, put the top back on and leave them alone until spring.

If there is nothing wrong with the bees I wouldn't medicate. But then I don't plan on ever putting anything in the hive the bees wouldn't place in there themselves. ( Besides the wooden boxes and frames)

Michael Bush · November 19, 2005, 01:06:42 PM

I don't do anything if the bees are doing well. I think it's a bad idea in the short run and the long run to treat when you don't have a problem. It's like you taking antibiotics everyday so you won't get sick.

If you want to move them you might want to do it in the spring (I'm not that up on raising bees in LA though). If they are in a hurry you could do it sooner. I'd try to remove the honey so they will be easier to move.

Do a search on moving hives and you'll find a lot of discussion.

Michael

Mr T-Bone · November 19, 2005, 01:33:17 PM

Thanks,
I've already moved them to my place. How much honey should I remove from the super? All of it half of it? I know the bees will need some for the winter. Will there be enough in the brood box if I take it all out of the super?

Jerrymac · November 19, 2005, 01:36:35 PM

Is it only one deep and one super? (medium?)

Mr T-Bone · November 19, 2005, 01:56:53 PM

one deep and one shallow.

thegolfpsycho · November 19, 2005, 03:27:49 PM

Since you have them moved, I would just leave them alone for now. As far as harvesting the honey, there is no telling what or when the previous owner put in the hive for mite and disease control. Let them hopefully come out strong in the spring. Then you can get them moved into the type equipment you prefer, get some new clean wax drawn, and your in business. Gives ya a couple months to decide on equipment, study the different management styles, and learn what you are looking for as far as colony heath, mites, etc.

I agree with Jerrymac and Michael. I don't put chems in my hives as a preventative measure. Just builds resistance.

Michael Bush · November 19, 2005, 04:35:41 PM

I wasn't thinking in terms of harvesting, just making it easier to move. :)

A deep and a shallow I'd leave for them for now. Where are you? What's your climate?

Apis629 · November 19, 2005, 05:59:15 PM

You probably just want to leave the honey on for the bees the first year, but trust me, you'll be able to harvest way more than one shallow super next year. It's an investment worth doing.

Finsky · November 20, 2005, 02:21:58 AM

Quote from: Mr T-BoneThanks,
I've already moved them to my place. How much honey should I remove from the super? All of it half of it? I know the bees will need some for the winter. Will there be enough in the brood box if I take it all out of the super?

You should start now bee nursing. You open the hive and look what is inside: honey, pollen, brood, sign of deseases, condition of frames. No one knos winterfood if he does not look inside. It is not an art of internet betting. :P
Of course it is important to beginner to know what to look at inside hive.

Dale · November 21, 2005, 08:12:51 PM

I think I would check it for mites at least. It wouldn't be a good thing if you left it go, and it was infested with mites, and died over the winter. If you let it go, and it does survive, I would seriously think about raising some queens from it though. Even if you made a split in the spring, and left them make one. This of course, that it makes it through the winter.

Mr T-Bone · November 23, 2005, 07:35:53 PM

Thanks for all of the advice, upon inspecting the hive, they all appear healthy, and there is no sign of moths. I will just let it be till spring and see what happens. I pulled the frames out and looked at them too, they are full so the bees should be fine here since our winters are typically mild.
Thanks again, I'm sure I'll have more questions as time goes by. :lol: