[Misc] Beekeeping...

[Titanic]

Any beekeepers on NSC who would care to share advice with a newbie?

My children gave me a hive for a significant birthday recently... and subsequently I have acquired more equipment from someone on FB marketplace who was selling up. I only went to get a couple of supers and some frames - and after several visits and chats, they decided to give me all of their equipment, which was both nice and a bit of PITA! So now I have many Langstroth deep brood boxes, small supers and loads of assorted frames / crownboards / QEs etc... enough to make up 4 hives.

I bought a nuc of bees at an auction a couple of months ago, and they are installed in one of the hives. They have filled out the brood chamber very well, so I added a small super, but they don't show signs of building any comb out or storing any honey - I understand it has been pretty shocking weather and we are now in a seasonal lull - so I very happy to be patient!

The issue I have is that the nuc frames were for a National hive - so I had to 'adapt' them by attaching them to Langstroth top bars. It is a bit messy because the bees keep building random comb in the gaps at the sides... so I would like to swap them out.

The internet is just so full of beekeeping forums / articles / blogs / Youtubes etc... and everyone has a different opinion!

I am wondering about a second brood chamber with some used comb and some new frames - and gradually moving the bastard frames up there to allow the brood to hatch and hopefully by moving them to the edge they will gradually become less used and can be safely removed Does this sound like a reasonable, if rather slow, plan?

I am then thinking this might lead to being able to do a split (probably with a new bought mated queen) - but slightly concerned how late I can do this - would it be Ok in July some time, or is that too late?

I did also wonder about using one or more of the spare hives as a swarm trap - can't do any harm, can it??

I have tried the local beekeeping association but not found it very helpful - I will resist being rude about them because who knows who is on NSC!!

 

[Goldstone1976]

It's rare I read a post on NSC where I understand only about one word in every four, but you've managed it.

In true NSC tradition I therefore respond as follows:

"Does this sound like a reasonable, if rather slow, plan?" For a beginner, you show great wisdom and knowledge. That's exactly what you should do.

"would it be Ok in July some time, or is that too late?" July is late, but not too late. August is too late though.

"can't do any harm, can it??" Oh dear. Yes, yes it can do immense harm. And almost certainly will.

Hope that helps.

*Disclaimer: I have no f***ing clue what I'm talking about.

 

[Happy Exile]

Plumpton College run a beginners beekeeping course - I did the first part of it a couple of years ago which was the foundation for the more practical elements, then Mrs Exile decided she didn't want me having a hive in the garden after all unfortunately. I'd very much recommend the course though. There's nothing like a day spent with an expert and I imagine once it gets practical it'll be like a fast-track to getting up and running. I suspect it also plugs you into a network for local advice and obtaining the queens cheaper/easier than online, people who'll help with swarms and so on.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

Any beekeepers on NSC who would care to share advice with a newbie?

My children gave me a hive for a significant birthday recently... and subsequently I have acquired more equipment from someone on FB marketplace who was selling up. I only went to get a couple of supers and some frames - and after several visits and chats, they decided to give me all of their equipment, which was both nice and a bit of PITA! So now I have many Langstroth deep brood boxes, small supers and loads of assorted frames / crownboards / QEs etc... enough to make up 4 hives.

I bought a nuc of bees at an auction a couple of months ago, and they are installed in one of the hives. They have filled out the brood chamber very well, so I added a small super, but they don't show signs of building any comb out or storing any honey - I understand it has been pretty shocking weather and we are now in a seasonal lull - so I very happy to be patient!

The issue I have is that the nuc frames were for a National hive - so I had to 'adapt' them by attaching them to Langstroth top bars. It is a bit messy because the bees keep building random comb in the gaps at the sides... so I would like to swap them out.

The internet is just so full of beekeeping forums / articles / blogs / Youtubes etc... and everyone has a different opinion!

I am wondering about a second brood chamber with some used comb and some new frames - and gradually moving the bastard frames up there to allow the brood to hatch and hopefully by moving them to the edge they will gradually become less used and can be safely removed Does this sound like a reasonable, if rather slow, plan?

I am then thinking this might lead to being able to do a split (probably with a new bought mated queen) - but slightly concerned how late I can do this - would it be Ok in July some time, or is that too late?

I did also wonder about using one or more of the spare hives as a swarm trap - can't do any harm, can it??

I have tried the local beekeeping association but not found it very helpful - I will resist being rude about them because who knows who is on NSC!!

Probably a bit late for you but I did consider doing beekeeping in the garden - until I was advised that sometimes you need to move the hives to a couple of miles away from where you originally put them - something I can't do as I don't have a 1000 acre farm !

 

[US Seagull]

At my work they keep bees on the roof of our downtown office. Sadly I'm not really part of the bee keeping clique. They do seem to end up having to replace the bees ever year because the little buggers keep dying out. But our winters are brutal.

Here's a recent picture from our #bees slack channel:

 

[US Seagull]

Probably a bit late for you but I did consider doing beekeeping in the garden - until I was advised that sometimes you need to move the hives to a couple of miles away from where you originally put them - something I can't do as I don't have a 1000 acre farm !

In the garden. Or at the very least outside!

 

[Titanic]

Plumpton College run a beginners beekeeping course - I did the first part of it a couple of years ago which was the foundation for the more practical elements, then Mrs Exile decided she didn't want me having a hive in the garden after all unfortunately. I'd very much recommend the course though. There's nothing like a day spent with an expert and I imagine once it gets practical it'll be like a fast-track to getting up and running. I suspect it also plugs you into a network for local advice and obtaining the queens cheaper/easier than online, people who'll help with swarms and so on.

I have done a beginners course with the local Beekeeping Association, and it has definitely got me up and running - as has the rather accelerated way things have spiralled recently! I have spent hours/days watching Youtube and reading / discussing on forums, but would love to find an individual mentor person who wasn't a bit weird or overpowering to give me a bit more confidence in decision making etc...

 

[The Antikythera Mechanism]

If you happen upon a swarm, don’t do this.

 

[Brovion]

It's rare I read a post on NSC where I understand only about one word in every four, but you've managed it.

In true NSC tradition I therefore respond as follows:

"Does this sound like a reasonable, if rather slow, plan?" For a beginner, you show great wisdom and knowledge. That's exactly what you should do.

"would it be Ok in July some time, or is that too late?" July is late, but not too late. August is too late though.

"can't do any harm, can it??" Oh dear. Yes, yes it can do immense harm. And almost certainly will.

Hope that helps.

*Disclaimer: I have no f***ing clue what I'm talking about.

Me too!

I was going to suggest taking out the Langstroth top bars and replacing them with Anderson points, taking care not crush the queen with the jiving treaddle. Failing that talk to Jason Statham, I think he made a film about it.

But like you I haven't got a f***ing clue what I'm talking about!

 

[Justice]

Beware it’s easy to get stung on Facebook marketplace

 

[Titanic]

Beware it’s easy to get stung on Facebook marketplace

Indeed... it is a wretched hive of scum and villainy.

 

[Brovion]

In all seriousness @Titanic, although as you can tell I have zero knowledge, I'll be interested to hear how you get on. I didn't realise it was so complex; I thought all you needed was a wooden box to keep the bees in, a hat with a net and a little smoke puffer thing.

 

[Titanic]

In all seriousness @Titanic, although as you can tell I have zero knowledge, I'll be interested to hear how you get on. I didn't realise it was so complex; I thought all you needed was a wooden box to keep the bees in, a hat with a net and a little smoke puffer thing.

One thing that came as quite a surprise was the price of bees. A decent 5 frame nucleus (basically a starter set of bees and a queen for a new hive) costs £200-300.

 

[chip]

One thing that came as quite a surprise was the price of bees. A decent 5 frame nucleus (basically a starter set of bees and a queen for a new hive) costs £200-300.

It just shows how under-valued bees are, even by those in the know.

I could have offered you a swarm the other day, but they've now departed the yew tree. Be interetsing to read how you get on.

 

[Guinness Boy]

It's rare I read a post on NSC where I understand only about one word in every four, but you've managed it.

In true NSC tradition I therefore respond as follows:

"Does this sound like a reasonable, if rather slow, plan?" For a beginner, you show great wisdom and knowledge. That's exactly what you should do.

"would it be Ok in July some time, or is that too late?" July is late, but not too late. August is too late though.

"can't do any harm, can it??" Oh dear. Yes, yes it can do immense harm. And almost certainly will.

Hope that helps.

*Disclaimer: I have no f***ing clue what I'm talking about.

For some reason the OP put me in mind of the WILTY compilation featuring Bob Mortimer where he talks about jobbletops and the part of a tree known as “The Clooney”.

 

[Anger]

The most important rule in bee keeping is not to let them get away.

Beyond that, I have no advice to give.

 

[zefarelly]

Mrs Zef will bee along in a minute, she's been pondering bees for ages . . . . Bizzarely you're not allowed to keep them on the allotment . . . Seems like a very good place to keep them!

 

[amexer]

Any beekeepers on NSC who would care to share advice with a newbie?

My children gave me a hive for a significant birthday recently... and subsequently I have acquired more equipment from someone on FB marketplace who was selling up. I only went to get a couple of supers and some frames - and after several visits and chats, they decided to give me all of their equipment, which was both nice and a bit of PITA! So now I have many Langstroth deep brood boxes, small supers and loads of assorted frames / crownboards / QEs etc... enough to make up 4 hives.

I bought a nuc of bees at an auction a couple of months ago, and they are installed in one of the hives. They have filled out the brood chamber very well, so I added a small super, but they don't show signs of building any comb out or storing any honey - I understand it has been pretty shocking weather and we are now in a seasonal lull - so I very happy to be patient!

The issue I have is that the nuc frames were for a National hive - so I had to 'adapt' them by attaching them to Langstroth top bars. It is a bit messy because the bees keep building random comb in the gaps at the sides... so I would like to swap them out.

The internet is just so full of beekeeping forums / articles / blogs / Youtubes etc... and everyone has a different opinion!

I am wondering about a second brood chamber with some used comb and some new frames - and gradually moving the bastard frames up there to allow the brood to hatch and hopefully by moving them to the edge they will gradually become less used and can be safely removed Does this sound like a reasonable, if rather slow, plan?

I am then thinking this might lead to being able to do a split (probably with a new bought mated queen) - but slightly concerned how late I can do this - would it be Ok in July some time, or is that too late?

I did also wonder about using one or more of the spare hives as a swarm trap - can't do any harm, can it??

I have tried the local beekeeping association but not found it very helpful - I will resist being rude about them because who knows who is on NSC!!

Had crossed my mind to give this ago but after reading that no way ever. Didnt understand a word for something thought was fairly simple

 

[Eeyore]

Indeed... it is a wretched hive of scum and villainy.

Beware it’s easy to get stung on Facebook marketplace

Yes, I think folk get quite a buzz out of it though.

 

[HeaviestTed]

No one saying what we are all thinking? Brentford can f*** right off