New from south Texas.

NotactJack · March 30, 2013, 06:58:54 AM

I'm just starting from scratch. I'm a avid home brewer and cyclist. I'm also a amateur welder and woodworker. I started making mead and researching honey. That's about it. I built 2 TBH and 3 swarm traps. I've got a friend that owns an abandoned house with a hive located in it. This hive is at least 5 years old.

I've done two cut outs. The first all the bees left after being harassed by ants. And the second I didn't get enough bees before the exterminator was called to spray. So they were very weak. Then I see a ton of them died in the motor oil moat I put to keep
The ants away. I'm pretty sure they are dead too. Well I have a package from rweaver and a queen coming. I also have a line on one more cut out.

Joe D · March 30, 2013, 10:48:12 AM

Welcome to the forum, NotactJack. There are lots of threads and videos here that can help. You may want to check into a local bee club. And put your location, south Texas is a good size place. Good luck with your bees

Joe

AllenF · March 30, 2013, 12:17:47 PM

Welcome to the forum.

tefer2 · March 30, 2013, 01:06:13 PM

Welcome to the bee forum Jack.

vmmartin · March 30, 2013, 01:44:38 PM

Welcome to the place for all things bee. How far South are you?

Georgia Boy · March 30, 2013, 10:00:43 PM

Welcome!

David

NotactJack · March 31, 2013, 05:16:27 AM

Laredo, Texas actually. Which stinks because this area used to be known for growning onions and cantalope. Now no one grows anything its all deer hunting leases.

I have two packages coming. Italians from Pigeon Mountain and All American from Rweaver (italian hybrid). Also a queen that I'm going to use for my next cut out.

I have ordered 1 Langstroth and I built 2 48" TBH and 3 TBH nuc boxes. I am thinking about building some nuc boxes that take lang frames.

buzzbee · March 31, 2013, 06:48:57 AM

What do they plant for deer forage? I'm sure that aceage has something blooming and may be more diverse than just onions and cantaloupe. It may be a good thing as far as honey flavors and bee health.

rbinhood · March 31, 2013, 07:16:46 PM

Welcome to the forum.....and enjoy the adventure of beekeeping.

NotactJack · April 01, 2013, 01:14:46 AM

Quote from: buzzbee on March 31, 2013, 06:48:57 AM
What do they plant for deer forage? I'm sure that aceage has something blooming and may be more diverse than just onions and cantaloupe. It may be a good thing as far as honey flavors and bee health.

Unfortunately they don't use food plots. It's all done with corn deer feeders. I had a buddy pay 3k for a hunting lease. He told me he spent 6k feeding him. Most what grows out here is cactus and brush. It's mesquite trees and prickly pear cactus.

txbeegal · April 01, 2013, 11:31:29 AM

Welcome neighbor. Well, sort of, we all know how big Texas is. That is why we need more bees:)

REDBEE · April 01, 2013, 06:14:12 PM

Mesquite trees makes a mild white honey that is sought after by many and lots of it.

NotactJack · April 03, 2013, 07:08:43 PM

Oh yeah a mesquite varietal sounds great. I'm really excited for prickly pear cactus honey. I love the jams the tunas make.

yanta61 · April 04, 2013, 12:25:24 PM

just got a call from a lady in Laredo needing a cutout done. I'll send you a PM with her number if you want

txbeegal · April 04, 2013, 04:02:38 PM

This will be my first honey harvest, (hopefully) and we have dewberries and lots and lots of mesquite around us. I can't wait to see what it looks and tastes like.:)

NotactJack · April 05, 2013, 08:25:40 AM

Thanks for the job. I'll call her in the morning and maybe I can house some new bees.