Record Keeping

[efmesch]

This thread is opened because of two items I recently ran into:
1. Bakersdozen reported that she began using a "sharpie " (permanent marker) to write on her frames the year in which they were built.
2. In the process of repairing and painting some old roofs of my hives I came across pencil writing from at least fifteen years ago, when I recorded information about assorted things I had done with the hives beneath them such as: dates of inspection, addition or removal of honey frames and even simple items such as "QC" (=queen seen), etc.  I had totally forgotten about those records but here they were, many years later, clear and visible for anyone who took the trouble to look.

Writing on a roof can have many advantages--simplicity, easy accessibility, and even a sort of permanence.  I had written with a "carpenter's pencil" and the markings withstood the test of time in spite of exposure to the elements.

Only one drawback---don't switch the roofs of your hives if you decide to try it. 

[Riverrat]

I have done the same thing only I used a sharpie.  Works great

[LazyBkpr]

Switching the roof can cause confusion    I use duct tape on the lid, and write on that.. after about four layers and some rain and sun, you peel the old stack of tape off, slap some new stuff on and write away...    Credit goes to Michael Palmer for that idea...

[Zweefer]

This year I am trying out hivetracks.com...  well see how long i stick with it before i give up and go back to pad and paper...

[riverbee]

"Only one drawback---don't switch the roofs of your hives if you decide to try it.  "

..............

i have not kept records for some time, it sure does help though. just lazy i guess. i do mark the frames i put in the hives now and have for about 8 or 10 years?, with the month and date as bakers does with a sharpie.  i have scribbled all sorts of notes on the undersides of lids and backsides of deeps and supers with carpenters pencils, crayons, etc.....
haven't managed to transfer the notes from the underside of a lid to another...........well, that i know of..........

[Perry]

I just file everything mentally.

[tbonekel]

I tried hive tracks once for about as long as it took me to enter the information. Then I just haven't messed with it. I'm not really good with mentally remembering things and I'm not very organized, so I'm messed up. I wish I was better at it though.

[Jen]

This is what I'm doing this year. It's a desk top calendar a month at a glance. It sits where I sit at the dining room table, that way it's in my face all the time    I can look forward and backwards in time to refresh what's been going on in the hive. I don't have to ruffle thru a bunch of tablet paper.

I had to do something to keep track. My memory isn't what it used to be either ~
 

[Bakersdozen]

Because this is how my brain works, this is what I am using.  I too keep my card file handy, otherwise it's too easily forgotten.  Also, the color helps remember.  Each hive is numbered, and no I don't have that many hives.  There is file for a diagram of each apiary and bloom data.  Also room, if I want to depress myself, for expenditures.

[Jen]

Also room, if I want to depress myself, for expenditures.


      Baker, and don't I know it!  or ... don't we all know it 

[capt44]

I use a program called Bee Tight which is a very good program

[Alleyyooper]

Kare has bought small some thing like 4 x 8 inch spiral note books to keep records in She has one for each bee yard, All hives are numbered in that yard from left to right from behind them.
She can go back 5 or 6 years and find all the times we requeened the hive, added frames of brood and from which hive it came from. How many times we made a nuc or split the colony and how many honey supers we removed from it that year and percentage of capped when pulled.

I did know a fellow years ago I bought my first bees from in a nuc who made these things up. Don't remember his name being Burke but remember it was Emerald Ridge Apiaries near Mt. Pleasant Michigan.

http://shop.honeybeeware.com/Hive-Minders-452.htm

His he used thumb tacks to hold them inside the outer cover and a erasable marker to write on them with.
He had an ad in Bee Culture for years.

   Al

[Barbarian]

I prefer a book which I can take with me to and from the apiary.

In theory, I should check the book before I leave home ..... to see what I need to take and do.

Does anyone use the hive top moveable brick as job reminder ?

[Dunkel]

I'm a brick dude. On its side check, on its end immediate attention.  Producing hives mostly not a problem. 28 nucs and four swarms I don't have a clue about just an idea.  Just a running tally of approximately how far behind I am again.

[Perry]

I'm a brick dude. On its side check, on its end immediate attention.  Producing hives mostly not a problem. 28 nucs and four swarms I don't have a clue about just an idea.  Just a running tally of approximately how far behind I am again.

 

[gtrr4]

I use a program called Bee Tight which is a very good program

This year I am trying out hivetracks.com...  well see how long i stick with it before i give up and go back to pad and paper...

My first 2 years having only 3-5 hives it is easy to remember.  This year after swarms and splits and requesting I started a speardsheet to keep my notes for each hive.  I am curious (and will check) big it compares to the above two sites.

[brooksbeefarm]

Perry, do the bees move the brick when they need something?  Jack

[Mosti]

I just file everything mentally.