Author Topic: Hello from northern Illinois  (Read 4540 times)

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Offline moebees

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Hello from northern Illinois
« on: April 02, 2018, 07:03:28 am »
I began beekeeping in 1974 with 2 packages and kept bees for a few years but then got busy with University, Graduate School and an academic career.  Started with bees again last year as I am retired.  I do not use chemicals and run 6 frame deep polystyrene hives.
Bee-keeping is like raising Martians - Isabella Rossellini

Offline Wandering Man

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Re: Hello from northern Illinois
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2018, 08:04:36 am »
Welcome aboard, moebees.
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Offline Perry

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Re: Hello from northern Illinois
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2018, 08:29:20 am »
 :welcome:
6 frame deeps? Do you overwinter in double 6 frame configuration? I know there is a large segment of the beekeeping community converting to 8 frame gear but this is the first time I have heard of 6 frame configuration.
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Offline CBT

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Re: Hello from northern Illinois
« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2018, 09:07:58 am »
Welcome, hope to hear how your bees do. This is a new day in beekeeping as far as pests that were not around back then. Lots of ways to be organic and bee friendly.
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Offline riverbee

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Re: Hello from northern Illinois
« Reply #4 on: April 02, 2018, 10:09:47 am »


welcome moebees!
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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: Hello from northern Illinois
« Reply #5 on: April 02, 2018, 11:29:21 am »
Welcome!
 Yes tell us more about the 6 frame deeps!
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Offline apisbees

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Re: Hello from northern Illinois
« Reply #6 on: April 02, 2018, 11:54:12 am »
Welcome,
Honey Judge, Beekeeping Display Coordinator, Armstrong Fair and Rodeo.
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Offline moebees

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Re: Hello from northern Illinois
« Reply #7 on: April 02, 2018, 01:38:19 pm »
Wow!  Thanks for all the friendly welcomes.  I will try to address some of the questions pertaining to the 6 frame deeps. 

I chose them because I wanted lighter boxes and wanted polystyrene. Two manufacturers are available in the U.S. in 6 frame nuc configuration so that is what I went with.  Eight frame isn't available in polystyrene here as far as I can tell and I didn't want to go mediums.  This winter I overwintered in three boxes.  I had unlimited brood nests last year but this year plan to use queen excluders over two boxes.  My overwintering wasn't great but don't think it had anything to do with the boxes.  I attribute the losses to a combination of mites, skunks, and small splits started late without the right resources.  I don't want to ramble on too much but will be happy to answer any questions about the hives I am using.
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Offline tedh

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Re: Hello from northern Illinois
« Reply #8 on: April 02, 2018, 03:59:44 pm »
Ramble away Moebees, everyone else does :laugh:!  Welcome to the forum!  Ted
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Offline neillsayers

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Re: Hello from northern Illinois
« Reply #9 on: April 02, 2018, 06:28:14 pm »
Ramble, please ramble! :)

Welcome buddy.

Best thing I've been able to do about skunks is to raise the hive so the entrance is at least 18" from ground level.
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Offline Les

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Re: Hello from northern Illinois
« Reply #10 on: April 02, 2018, 07:25:25 pm »
Welcome to the forum!

To deal with skunks, i took a piece of chicken wire, folded it in half and placed it in front of the hive.  Skunks don’t like to walk on the wire.

Offline moebees

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Re: Hello from northern Illinois
« Reply #11 on: April 02, 2018, 07:40:19 pm »
For the skunks I got some barb wire and looped it around many times and stapled to a 2 x 8, 18 inches long.  My hive stands put the entrance about 10 inches off the ground and I didn't want to go any higher because with 6 frame boxes the height can get to be too much in a hurry.
Bee-keeping is like raising Martians - Isabella Rossellini

Offline Bakersdozen

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Re: Hello from northern Illinois
« Reply #12 on: April 03, 2018, 03:57:12 pm »
Welcome Moebees.  It sounds like you have an interesting set up.  We look forward to reading about it in the future. 
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Offline efmesch

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Re: Hello from northern Illinois
« Reply #13 on: April 04, 2018, 03:40:18 am »
Greetings on joining THE forum.  Hope you have an enjoyable and beneficial say here.
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Offline Mikey N.C.

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Re: Hello from northern Illinois
« Reply #14 on: April 08, 2018, 10:14:50 am »
Welcome aboard,  great info here.