Beekeeping

[CloverKnollFarms]

Why are some of your hives strapped down, but not others of a similar size?

All the best, Peter

The ones strapped down are un-insulated, and rangefrom 7-14 frames... Weight is much different. Those are temporary boxes for swarms and splits. The large gabled roof hives are much heavier and need no securing. The straps are probably superfluous... One isnt strapped. My wife feels better if they are strapped...Im not that anxious.

 

[Torvy]

Do you have to take any precautions when mowing around them? I'm curious how you maintain the grass, and if you risk getting stung while on a mower or using a weed eater.

Elzner Farms near Jacksonville is where she got our bees.

I didn't mow immediately adjacent to the hive, I left about a 4 ft cushion. I was nervous, but they didn't seem to mind. I didn't suit up. I probably should have.

 

[WM75Guy]

Elzner Farms near Jacksonville is where she got our bees.

I didn't mow immediately adjacent to the hive, I left about a 4 ft cushion. I was nervous, but they didn't seem to mind. I didn't suit up. I probably should have.

That's where I buy our honey. Three 2# bottles for $48. Free shipping if over $45 purchase.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

A couple more hives in the paint phase. They may sit a bit as I go do tillage work onthe farm in Michigan. I've got three swarms still in boxes in trees waiting.

 

[EddieWalker]

Elzner Farms near Jacksonville is where she got our bees.

I didn't mow immediately adjacent to the hive, I left about a 4 ft cushion. I was nervous, but they didn't seem to mind. I didn't suit up. I probably should have.

Thanks for the name of the farm. I looked them up and added them to my favorites so I can find them again in the future.

In a couple months there will be the Tomato Festival in Jacksonville. My mom and my wife go there every year to buy a massive number of tomatoes. We don't grow anywhere close to enough for all our canning, and these are really nice tomatoes!!!

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

That's where I buy our honey. Three 2# bottles for $48. Free shipping if over $45 purchase.

Wow that is cheap honey

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I've lost count. This was at 1pm today!

I think I've added 7 free colonies in 5 weeks

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

A page or so back there was discussion about mowing near hives. I generally just mow by them while I'm mowing. Don't blow grass towards them and be mindful of if your exhaust will blow at them. I've only been stung once while mowing in the 4 years or so I've had bees, last weekend... in the ear, and it hurt, bad!

Before we built the house.

 

[EddieWalker]

Your mower is a lot quieter than mine. I have to wear ear plugs when I'm mowing.

Can you spray roundup around the hive to kill all the grass so you don't have to mow any closer then necessary? If not roundup, will something else work that won't hurt the bees?

 

[drumminj]

Your mower is a lot quieter than mine. I have to wear ear plugs when I'm mowing.

Can you spray roundup around the hive to kill all the grass so you don't have to mow any closer then necessary? If not roundup, will something else work that won't hurt the bees?

If I were going to do that I'd just put down weed fabric and some gravel vs using chemicals.

Honestly I had thought about that, but wanted to see how this location worked first with regard to sunshine/shade and any issues with parasites/hive beetles. Assuming it goes well I'll probably go back and do that if I can figure out how without disturbing the bees too much (wonder if they'd mind me lifting the hive stand + hives with the tractor and forks?)