Worldwide Beekeeping
Announcements => Welcome => Topic started by: Joshh on May 19, 2014, 07:48:13 pm
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Hello everyone my name is Josh.
I believe I was first excited with the thought of raising bees after watching a documentary on Netflix concerning the disappearance of the honey bees. I talked to my father about it and he thought it was a great idea and that I should give it a try. I/we kicked the idea around all winter long each having rational fears about having 60,000 bees living in a semi close proximity to where we sleep. I have three young girls and my fears about stings and killer bees pushed the idea out of mind until early march. I found out that the local extension office was holding a BEE class. For a meager sum I was able to attend classes and received a beeginer's book. After the first class I was all in.
After I decided I was giving it a whirl my father warmed up to the idea. After every class I'd rush over to Dad's and dish out the next batch of information I had received. I wanted him to get one as well, there is some part of my reptilian brain that screamed at me saying "So... You want to raise a colony of 40,000 stinging insects in a two foot square pine box 100ft away from where you live... Genius!!"
Finally, the hives, equipment and bees were ordered.. then the long slow wait!
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Hello Josh and welcome to the forum!
Build a bigger hive stand, it will never stop at one hive.
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Welcome and enjoy your stay! :)
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G3farms: Oddly enough both my father and I have already begun talking about expanding. I believe the biggest hold up for me at the moment is getting the hive I have through winter. The weather has been cool and I didn't get the bees until mid may. From what I have read I need two brood boxes in my area to give the hive a good chance.
My father and I recently have been debating on if we should check for brood the recommended 48hrs after the queen is released or if we are going to give the hive a few extra days to develop without further interruptions by us. I can see how both sides have a benefit and a draw back as I understand it.
48hrs .. presence of new brood, killing another 10-20 bees due to accidental squishes.
5 days... Time for the hive to develop without killing more bees due to accidental squishes, don't know if the queen is laying or when she started laying.
Thoughts??
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The family that "keeps" together..... ;)
Welcome, and have fun here while you're at it.
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Welcome, Josh. Glad you came on board.
If you really want to relax and enjoy your bees, drive the few miles up to Richland and visit lazybkpr when he is going into his hives for a regular inspection. Watch him handle the bees without the "spacesuit" for a few minutes, then you and your dad follow suit. I guarantee you will leave with a whole new perception of bees and consider it the most useful hour you ever spent in beekeeping.
I wait 7 days after installing before taking the first look. I have been very successful doing it that way.
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Hey Josh, I was wondering when you'd stop lurking in the shadows and step into the light! Welcome aboard buddy. Up for a trip to Richland, assuming LazyBkp is okay with that?
The family that keeps together! Hehehe! I like that! Ted
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You will have to let me know what day you want to come down so I can schedule something interesting. Your always welcome!
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Josh- ""Oddly enough both my father and I have already begun talking about expanding.""
It's only a matter of time :) sooner or later more hives accumulate
You're gonna love it here Ted and Josh, this forum is run with expertise!
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hey josh, greetings and welcome to the forum! thanks for coming and looking forward to reading your posts!
i check to see if the queen was released on the 3rd or 4th day, then after that, like iddee, i don't check the hive for another 7 days. it works for me. ;)
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I like to tell new keeps that the only way to learn what is going on inside the hive is to get in there, the draw back to it looking inside all of the time is you CAN "LOVE" them to DEATH!
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Welcome Josh, Glad you came here. Lots of good folks here and always room for one more. Jim
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Welcome to the forum, Josh! I understand the wait and the worry about time for them to develop to get through the first winter. I'm in north-central MA and I'm supposed to get my bees this coming Sunday. Yeah, I have my fears, so I'm right the with ya.
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Welcome Josh!
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Welcome Josh to the forum.
Ken
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Welcome aboard Josh. As you've already found out, this beekeeping stuff gets in your blood. Lots of good people and advice here. Don't be afraid to ask questions on the forum. You'll get lots of help and make a bunch of friends from the kindred spirits here.
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welcome to the forum
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Welcome Josh It's exciting to here you are getting into bees with your father. Do you have your hives together or one at each of your places? With your father having a hive also you will at least have help when extracting time comes around.