Beekeeping

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I generally always wear earplugs. Not sure why I didn't have them in on this video, it was a long time ago.

Yes I typically roundup around and under my hives. I have since moved them and put some old assembly line belt under them. My work had changed out a couple of belts and the old ones were being trashed so I saved them.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

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?)

I would probably not lift the stand with the hive on it.... But, if you set up a table or some other sort of temporary stand a few feet away you can easily move the hive by hand at night. Then you can do your work and put it back. I would put my temp stand a few feet in front, that way you would be working behind it. For something like this, I've had good luck moving the stands front to back, but the bees seem to get lost easier if you move them side to side.

 

[ponytug]

I would probably not lift the stand with the hive on it.... But, if you set up a table or some other sort of temporary stand a few feet away you can easily move the hive by hand at night. Then you can do your work and put it back. I would put my temp stand a few feet in front, that way you would be working behind it. For something like this, I've had good luck moving the stands front to back, but the bees seem to get lost easier if you move them side to side.

As bees navigate in part by the sun, relative to the sun, what is the motion that worked for you?

All the best,

Peter

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

The general rule of thumb is move them less than 3 feet or more than 3 miles. My experience has been that when I have made small moves the bees generally find home if the hive is moved forward or backward in the direction of the entrance. I assume since the bees are typically flying in a straight line in and out, a few feet front or back and they are still in line with where they think the hive should be so they don't really have an issue. When I have moved them laterally it seems to confuse them more. I've had to hand carry small groups of lost bees 10 feet to the left or right in cases where I have added stands and moved hives.

I've also done the same type of move in increments over the course of a week on a temp stand and have had good results.

 

[ning]

I'm about to swap the stands under the hives; they're on concrete blocks right now and I cooked up a tube metal stand. I've had ant issues in the past, and with metal stand legs I can slather some crisco on the legs and the ants won't cross it.

My plan is to do the swap at night - block the opening, move the hive (luckily only the two brood boxes right now) to a temporary spot, swap stands, put the hive back, unblock. Hopefully nobody gets mad about that...

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I have a friend who is a new beekeeper, and he now has two hives ON HIS BACK PATIO, 3' from his house. I advised that probably wasn't a great idea, but he is forging ahead. I think when the dearth hits, he will regret his choice. We all learn, sometimes painfuly

 

[drumminj]

I'm about to swap the stands under the hives; they're on concrete blocks right now and I cooked up a tube metal stand. I've had ant issues in the past, and with metal stand legs I can slather some crisco on the legs and the ants won't cross it.

My plan is to do the swap at night - block the opening, move the hive (luckily only the two brood boxes right now) to a temporary spot, swap stands, put the hive back, unblock. Hopefully nobody gets mad about that...

Report back how it goes!

 

[ponytug]

I have a friend who is a new beekeeper, and he now has two hives ON HIS BACK PATIO, 3' from his house. I advised that probably wasn't a great idea, but he is forging ahead. I think when the dearth hits, he will regret his choice. We all learn, sometimes painfuly

 

[Eaglesfate]

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.View attachment 3495731

Congratulations on the swarm catches. Free bees are good bees most the time.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Congratulations on the swarm catches. Free bees are good bees most the time.

The worst thing that can happen, is they produce honey and die. Which I still see as a win. Poor genetics should never be allowed to survive, and I do like honey

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

These bees refused to go into the trap, after 5 days... Building comb on the tree. So, they got the vacuum. Now they have to live in a beautiful condo.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Went to pull some swarm traps down today, because I only catch until the end of May... And looks like I have another. This is #7 I think

 

[BackRoad]

Does Poison Ivy bother you or your wife Mr. CloverKnoll?

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Does Poison Ivy bother you or your wife Mr. CloverKnoll?

Ha ha yep. It does. I often strip on the porch and clothes go to the wash.

This spot is an annual producer of swarms... But very dicey to enter and exit

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Moved a little swarm to a big box. Queen is laying.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

This guy lives on about 80 acres, and backs up to thousands of state forest... Said I can place as many hives as I like. So, we started today! Bonus, he is only 4 miles from me.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Prepped the summer dearth buckwheat plot for seed.

 

[EddieWalker]

Here, the bees seem to like my wife's coneflowers.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Got a call... Another swarm. That is #8... Plus my one split.

Now I'm short hives. Wow. Wow. Epic year. We still haven't done a single cut out this year.

I'm taking down all swarm traps next week. No more swarms. It's time to take care of what I have and get more hives built. One colony went to a full 20 frames today... They are insane. Some eggs from a brand new queen.

 

[ponytug]

Nice to see your apiary thriving!

Any insights as to why you have had such a large number of swarms this year?

All the best,

Peter