Beekeeping

   / Beekeeping #561  
I'm not sure paint color denotes quality in any way, but it does look more uniform, if you like that type of thing.

Although the oops paint is one possibility, there are many other reasons. There are some beekeepers who believe it's easier for the bees to locate their hive in a busy apiary if there are different colors of hives. I'm skeptical of that personally. Some people do like to have colorful hives and even paint little flowers and things on them. You may see Langstroth hives that are different colors in the same "stack". Langstroth's are modular and you typically add and remove components throughout the year. It could be that the beekeeper wanted mixed colors or it could be that they had started with different color full hives but necessity required that they use what was available and it was a different color than the other parts on that hive.

Beekeepers can be an eclectic bunch. Around our parts you get the uniformity of CloverKnoll, to tie die hippies with their bold colors with randomly distributed hives, and everywhere in between. There are as many ways and methods to keep bees as there are beekeepers. A lot of them will tell you the way they do it, or the equipment they use, is the best. They are right, and they are wrong. They have determined it's the best way for them, but it may not be the best way for you. Also, hive management styles typically change over time, as you try new things or as you notice how the bees react to your methods.

I like that so many people are getting education and enjoyment. More bees is more better.

What I mean by quality is, that I don't go to the paint counter and ask for a can of random discounted paint that was tinted incorrectly, to do the job as cheaply as possible. I buy off the shelf the same paint every time... And don't bother to have it tinted. I just use white.
 
   / Beekeeping #562  
You can use different colors to reduce or eliminate drift between hives, though I'm not sure people actually work to mitigate this.
 
   / Beekeeping #563  
There she is

IMG20250427162349.jpg
 
   / Beekeeping #564  
I'm gonna try to get pictures of the multi-colored hives I posted about. So you all can see what I'm talking about.
Eric
 
   / Beekeeping #565  
Today I made a split.

I have a hive with a VSH queen in it. That colony has about 15 queen cells right now. So I took one frame of brood, with 2 capped queen cells on it and put it in a box. I then went to another very strong hive and took 2 frames of brood (one of them had three capped queen cells on it). Placed those in the box. Added a frame of honey, one with pollen, and one open comb.

Should have a queen in a week. Hopefully laying eggs in two weeks.
 
   / Beekeeping #566  
Today I made a split.

I have a hive with a VSH queen in it. That colony has about 15 queen cells right now. So I took one frame of brood, with 2 capped queen cells on it and put it in a box. I then went to another very strong hive and took 2 frames of brood (one of them had three capped queen cells on it). Placed those in the box. Added a frame of honey, one with pollen, and one open comb.

Should have a queen in a week. Hopefully laying eggs in two weeks.
It's a long shot. But a buddy of mine in Indiana just sent me this picture of a guy splitting a beehive on his place. Is this you?

493519272_10236759654473908_1990852271339844592_n.jpg
 
   / Beekeeping #569  
My buddy just lets him put them on his land in exchange for some honey. He says it's really good, but he doesn't have anything to do with them. I just thought it was kind of funny that he sent me a text with the picture right after I had caught up with this thread.
 

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