CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
People call me all the time. I'm in my shop about 8 hours per day now
Beekeeping
- Thread starter LittleBittyBigJohn
- Start date
- Views: 96894
People call me all the time. I'm in my shop about 8 hours per day now
ponytug
Super Member
Before a couple of drought years, here we used to have two or three overflights of swarms every year. I love watching the swarms move and hang out around the house, before finding a how and drifting away. If you are interested or fascinated by swarms, I really recommend this book;
"Honeybee Democracy"
All the best,
Peter
"Honeybee Democracy"
All the best,
Peter
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Got these girls moved today, and I will get them in a big box tomorrow. Black locusts are in bloom, so there is plenty of work for them to do
Picked up our two nucs today. Excited to start the journey. Goal #1: get them to survive the first winter.
Kind of sad watching them start dragging out their dead when I first opened the entrances. Hopefully not too many.
Kind of sad watching them start dragging out their dead when I first opened the entrances. Hopefully not too many.
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
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.
From what I've read, folks tend to wear at least a veil when mowing around the hives. It's basically just one width of my mower behind the hives so I can just make a quick circle around them and hopefully be far enough away to not bother them, but we will see
I was out there yesterday with a weedeater getting everything nice and low so I don't have to worry about it for a little while. Of course we got a ton of rain last night and will rain more this week, so I'll have to do something here in a week or so I'd guess.
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
For me, it's something I never thought of. My wife really wants bees, and usually, what she wants, we end up getting.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
You will definitely get stung. I got hit about 30' from one of my hives yesterday. I wear a jacket and veil when I mow near them and trim around them.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Just did that task today
ponytug
Super Member
Why are some of your hives strapped down, but not others of a similar size?
All the best, Peter
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
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.
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Torvy
Super Member
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
Elite Member
That's where I buy our honey. Three 2# bottles for $48. Free shipping if over $45 purchase.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
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
Epic Contributor
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
Super Member
Wow that is cheap honey
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
I've lost count. This was at 1pm today!
I think I've added 7 free colonies in 5 weeks
I think I've added 7 free colonies in 5 weeks
OP
LittleBittyBigJohn
Veteran Member
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.
Before we built the house.
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
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?
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?)
