Beekeeping

[CloverKnollFarms]

Glad search turned up this thread. Been considering trying out beekeeping and have a question for the folks here...

(yes I know get a mentor, take a class, etc. I've been reading up on beesource, got "Beekeeping for Dummies", etc)

Is it possible to have a hive and worry about growing/splitting it, swarming, etc? Basically, can I start with and maintain just two langsroth hives (or whatever other structure) each with 1-2 deep brood boxes and a super or two and maintain that indefinitely? Or does keeping bees mean continuously growing hives, more colonies, etc?

You can keep just two hives. No need to split or manage.

Bees are genetically created to swarm... But that doesn't hurt your plans to keep two hives. Mine swarm every year, no big deal.

I never split... But I do trap swarms for more colonies

 

[drumminj]

You can keep just two hives. No need to split or manage.

Bees are genetically created to swarm... But that doesn't hurt your plans to keep two hives. Mine swarm every year, no big deal.

I never split... But I do trap swarms for more colonies

Thanks, that's helpful to confirm. As much as I've read, I've not come across anything straight-forward on what the minimal setup/"commitment" is.

So, worst case they swarm and I lose part of my colony/have lower production, but so long as they don't cause a problem for my neighbors and I'm happy with my colonies I'm good?

No clue what I'll actually want to do, but want to be clear on the min bar of what I'd be signing up for.

Thanks!

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Thanks, that's helpful to confirm. As much as I've read, I've not come across anything straight-forward on what the minimal setup/"commitment" is.

So, worst case they swarm and I lose part of my colony/have lower production, but so long as they don't cause a problem for my neighbors and I'm happy with my colonies I'm good?

No clue what I'll actually want to do, but want to be clear on the min bar of what I'd be signing up for.

Thanks!

You are correct on all accounts. Swarming actually has real benefits for a healthy colony, so I don't try to stop them from swarming.

 

[drumminj]

Great. I will keep investigating this path, reading and learning.

Unfortunately the dog doesn't seem to approve - last night she chewed up the 'beekeeping for dummies' book I left on the couch. Never done anything like that before so it must mean something

 

[MossRoad]

Happy Valentine's Day to all you beekeepers.

Saint Valentine - the patron Saint of bees

Executive Council Official documents Logo guidelines

www.apimondia.org

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Delivering another order today. This is the max for my delivery capabilities

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Anyone experience the bee collapse syndrome recently? I have at least one hive I lost maybe the other one. Gotta check it to be sure. I probably won't replace them again. I'm hoping the wild bees/bumble bees around here will complete my pollenization this year.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Anyone experience the bee collapse syndrome recently? I have at least one hive I lost maybe the other one. Gotta check it to be sure. I probably won't replace them again. I'm hoping the wild bees/bumble bees around here will complete my pollenization this year.

We have 100% survival so far this winter.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Spoke with another local beekeeper yesterday who runs 100 hives, and he has lost one...

Locally we seem to be in pretty good shape

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Cutting and planing panels for (4) more swarm traps, for myself.

All customer work is stopped until I get myself ready for swarm season in 4 weeks!

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I have a neighbor about a mile down the road who used to maintain 10 hives at his place. I drove by today and they are all gone. Just stacks of cinder blocks where they used to be.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I have only lost one so far this winter. I'm in the process of moving my apiary to the back part of my property.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

My second hive is in good shape. I do need to add another brood chamber and honey supers. Should get a decent crop of honey this year.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

More progress. Should go into the season with 8 traps.

 

[RayIN]

My how hive construction has advanced. I studied bee-keeping in the 1950's while helping dad with his 6 hives.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

My how hive construction has advanced. I studied bee-keeping in the 1950's while helping dad with his 6 hives.

This is actually a very old design, dating back to the mid 1800’s in France.

Do you still keep bees after all these years?

 

[drumminj]

Officially taking the plunge. Have two nucs on order and got hives + basic tools a few days ago. Looking forward to the experience!

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Need to paint the new traps, and repaint a couple older ones, but I'll have 11 traps up this spring... Usually I have 4-5 hung. Hoping for a good year.

I have (3) empty hives in the barn and parts cut for (5) more. (6) With overwintered colonies out in the field.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Still have to knock out another 100 frames

This will make 300 I've built this winter alone

 

[RayIN]

This is actually a very old design, dating back to the mid 1800’s in France.

Do you still keep bees after all these years?

No, when something killed all dad's hives at the same time he quit. I never pursued beekeeping, but it still interests me.
I remember dad and I would begin scouting in March for swarms in trees while searching for a home/hive. That's how dad got all his bees.
Today I buy honey locally at Hunter's Bee farm about 30 miles away. It's a lot more expensive than WM honey from the mid-east, but well worth the cost IMO.