My Observation Hive...

BlueBee · March 13, 2014, 02:41:34 AM

I'm almost speechless for a change. :idunno:

What can I say, but well done Moots. X:X Very nice looking ob hive.

BeeMaster2 · March 13, 2014, 05:21:54 AM

Looks great moots. That is one heavy swarm. It usually takes months for my OH to cover all of the frames like that. Did you put some honey frames in there or is that just white foundation?
Jim

sterling · March 13, 2014, 11:50:13 AM

WTG Moots

Moots · March 13, 2014, 12:27:58 PM

Quote from: BlueBee on March 13, 2014, 02:41:34 AM
I'm almost speechless for a change. :idunno:

What can I say, but well done Moots. X:X Very nice looking ob hive.

Thanks Blue...Much appreciated!

Moots · March 13, 2014, 12:37:41 PM

Jim,
Didn't give them any honey, just gave them 2 frames of drawn comb and 6 with wax foundation. I put the two drawn frames at the bottom, which after I was finished I questioned myself on whether or not I should have put them at the top....still not sure what's the best answer there. :?
They've cleaned up the two drawn frames nicely and I'd say are actively drawing comb on probably 4 of the 6 frames of wax foundation. When I loaded it Saturday, I gave them a quart of Sugar water, which I don't think they touched until yesterday...they've dropped the level maybe an 1 or 1 1/2 inches.

Lots of traffic when the weather has been pretty, but I haven't noticed any pollen coming in yet...I'm wondering if that's because they are concentrating on nectar to help them draw comb. :? I'm really not sure.

Hopefully, I'll see some signs of a laying queen in the near future. Up till now I haven't viewed it much...trying to let them settle in without too much disturbance. Starting to feel a little more comfortable that they've decided to stay, so I'll start "observing" a little more.

BeeMaster2 · March 13, 2014, 01:12:29 PM

Quote from: Moots on March 13, 2014, 12:37:41 PM
Jim,
Didn't give them any honey, just gave them 2 frames of drawn comb and 6 with wax foundation. I put the two drawn frames at the bottom, which after I was finished I questioned myself on whether or not I should have put them at the top....still not sure what's the best answer there. :?
They've cleaned up the two drawn frames nicely and I'd say are actively drawing comb on probably 4 of the 6 frames of wax foundation. When I loaded it Saturday, I gave them a quart of Sugar water, which I don't think they touched until yesterday...they've dropped the level maybe an 1 or 1 1/2 inches.

Lots of traffic when the weather has been pretty, but I haven't noticed any pollen coming in yet...I'm wondering if that's because they are concentrating on nectar to help them draw comb. :? I'm really not sure.

Hopefully, I'll see some signs of a laying queen in the near future. Up till now I haven't viewed it much...trying to let them settle in without too much disturbance. Starting to feel a little more comfortable that they've decided to stay, so I'll start "observing" a little more.

Glad to here it.
I am going to hold off replenishing my hive until I get a swarm. I never put a swarm in it before but after seeing yours, I will have to try it.
I have never seen a single piece of wax on a bee. Have you seen it yet? I do see it in the cleanout tray.
I think you are right, the house bees need nectar to make wax and that is what they beg for. Once the brood starts to hatch, I bet it will change.
Jim

Moots · March 13, 2014, 04:38:45 PM

A bit of good news...Ran home for lunch today, and look who I spotted! :shock:

Youtube Video!

Jim,
Yes I have seen wax on bees, the only time I've ever noticed it is with swarms. I vacuumed up a swarm last year and put the catch bucket on the front seat to keep them cool for the ride home, got home and the seat was covered with tiny wax flakes. It was at that time that I noticed all the small wax flakes on the underside of the bees. Probably explains why swarms are such wax drawing machines. :-D

D Coates · March 13, 2014, 05:34:36 PM

I couldn't help but smile for you Moots watching that video. Great job. She's laying so you've officially got yourself an up and running OB hive.

Moots · March 13, 2014, 05:42:16 PM

Quote from: D Coates on March 13, 2014, 05:34:36 PM
I couldn't help but smile for you Moots watching that video. Great job. She's laying so you've officially got yourself an up and running OB hive.

Thanks D...when I spotted her and she backed that long rear end into a cell, I was as happy as a kid on Christmas morning! :-D

D Coates · March 13, 2014, 06:32:11 PM

That's exactly why I was smiling. I know how you felt. After all that work, then to actually see it begin to succeed with a queen laying right in front of you? It feeds the soul.

rjmeyer · March 13, 2014, 09:01:52 PM

Nice Moots...great video...amazing how attentive all her attendants are around her, she must be immiting great phermones.

BeeMaster2 · March 14, 2014, 06:40:17 AM

Nice Moots, I like how you can see her very clearly. I usually get mostly reflections off of the window. Did you say that is glass or plexiglas or acrylic. I am going to replace the pane in my OH this week.
Jim

Carol · March 14, 2014, 05:40:49 PM

I would love to beable to watch that. I have to be content to sit with my binoculars and watch the front porchs.

Moots · March 14, 2014, 05:51:47 PM

Quote from: sawdstmakr on March 14, 2014, 06:40:17 AM
Nice Moots, I like how you can see her very clearly. I usually get mostly reflections off of the window. Did you say that is glass or plexiglas or acrylic. I am going to replace the pane in my OH this week.
Jim

Jim,
It's glass, I tried to avoid getting the reflections, but it's tough...I'm going to try to come up with a plan to help capture better pictures and video...but I was relatively happy with the quality of the video...

BeeMaster2 · March 14, 2014, 10:04:49 PM

Quote from: Moots on March 14, 2014, 05:51:47 PM
Quote from: sawdstmakr on March 14, 2014, 06:40:17 AM
Nice Moots, I like how you can see her very clearly. I usually get mostly reflections off of the window. Did you say that is glass or Plexiglas or acrylic. I am going to replace the pane in my OH this week.
Jim

Jim,
It's glass, I tried to avoid getting the reflections, but it's tough...I'm going to try to come up with a plan to help capture better pictures and video...but I was relatively happy with the quality of the video...

Thanks, I think I will use glass also. I thought that the acrylic panes were pretty clear even though I could never see eggs in the cells. When I opened it and looked from the inside out, it was terrible foggy. Very hard to see through. I will have to get the same thickness as the acrylic panes but how thick is your glass. I used acrylic because I was concerned with it being broke in the house with 10,000 bees in it.
Jim

Moots · March 14, 2014, 11:08:49 PM

Jim,
My glass is 1/8" thick, and just regular glass.

I read a lot and heard a lot about people using 1/4" as well as tempered and safety glass. I know some talk about making them child and pet proof...Neither of which I have.
So, I just couldn't see going that thick as being necessary. 1/8" glass is twice as think as a standard windowpane...and I don't think my OH will be subjected to any more abuse than a regular windowpane.

Also, 1/8" glass is twice as cheap as 1/4", which is nice, but possibly more important, it's half the weight.

Honestly, after making the decision to purchase the 1/8" glass instead of the 1/4" glass, I had some serious second thoughts and wondered if I had messed up. But now that it's assembled and up, I'm completely comfortable with the decision.

BeeMaster2 · March 14, 2014, 11:58:49 PM

Moots,
Sounds like glass will be much better. Not sure if the acrylic is 3/16 or 1/8 but if it was 3/16 I think there is enough room if it was at least 3/16".
Thanks.
Jim

D Coates · March 17, 2014, 10:29:52 AM

Quote from: Moots on March 14, 2014, 11:08:49 PM

Also, 1/8" glass is twice as cheap as 1/4", which is nice, but possibly more important, it's half the weight.

Honestly, after making the decision to purchase the 1/8" glass instead of the 1/4" glass, I had some serious second thoughts and wondered if I had messed up. But now that it's assembled and up, I'm completely comfortable with the decision.

Dead on about the weight. Mine is the 1/4" glass that I recycled from large chipped desk top here. It's very heavy but being in a commercial building with customers and employees coming in and out daily a thinner glass wasn't an option due to safety concerns. I would have done the same thing you did Moots if it was in my home.

RHBee · March 17, 2014, 10:50:28 AM

I know I'm a little bit late but, beautiful work. That is the best looking OH I have ever seen. I don't think that my wife would buy into bees in the house but your efforts make it look great. That video was something to watch.

Moots · March 17, 2014, 10:55:05 AM

Quote from: RHBee on March 17, 2014, 10:50:28 AM
I know I'm a little bit late but, beautiful work. That is the best looking OH I have ever seen. I don't think that my wife would buy into bees in the house but your efforts make it look great. That video was something to watch.

Thanks RH....As for the wife "buying into bees in the house"...Sometimes you have to go with the, "It's easier to get forgiveness than permission", approach! :-D :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: