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Offline rt1068

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newbee question
« on: August 30, 2016, 11:54:03 am »
I am planning on getting one, maybe two, hives next year.  I am going to place them in my backyard.  My question is how do I keep it to just the one or two hives?  I mean, if everything goes well, the number of bees will grow beyond the capacity of the hives.  I realize that this would be a good problem because it would mean that the colonies are healthy, but I am unsure what to do once there becomes a need for a third or fourth hive.  Are there successful keeps out there who just have a few hives or should I only get started if I am willing and able to keep growing?

Thanks for all of the sage advice I get here!

Rick
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Offline Green bee

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2016, 12:21:03 pm »
Maybe you could sell any splits you make, if the price is right would go fast!
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Offline iddee

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2016, 12:40:23 pm »
Keep a couple empty hives ready. When your hive gets crowded, make a split. When you catch a swarm, hive it. Then put a listing on Craig's list for a 5 frame nuc for 150.00. It will sell the first day. Buy 5 new frames to replace the ones sold and get ready to do it again
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Offline Jen

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2016, 03:12:58 pm »
Hi rt1068, good advice from Green bee and Iddee. But there is this option as well. I too am learning how to keep my hives down to just two. I know of other beeks in my area who will come and pick up the swarm for me and take it to expand their own apiary. I used to chase down the swarms and hive them, but got to 5 hives which is too many for the tight neighborhood I live in. So now, I keep an eye on my hives in the spring and I know pretty close to where the swarms are going to land. Then I call my swarm patrol.

Find out who your beekeepers are in your area, get acquainted with them and let them help you as well. I have yet to meet a beek that will turn down Free Bees  ;) 8)

Oh! And swarms are awesome and magical to watch, if you see one starting from your hive, not stopping it! Just stand outside and watch it, listen to it, and pay attention to where it lands. So Cool!
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Offline CBT

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2016, 04:29:04 pm »
You may consider having two big hives and two nucs. If you have some bad luck or hive issues a nuc can be a saving grace. So much to consider. It is good you have time to ponder the possibilities. ???
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Offline Perry

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2016, 04:35:57 pm »
"One or two hives" 
That's a good one! :yes: :D ;D
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I like this new guy, rt1068, he's funny!
A hint Rick, start looking for some property, scour the net for some good used gear, and then we'll talk some more. ;)
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Offline CBT

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2016, 04:40:18 pm »
He's got all fall and winter to select his hive colors from the misstent section of the local paint store.
 :yes: Primer too.
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Offline Wandering Man

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2016, 04:43:27 pm »
When we started thinking about "a hive" last November, that was all we wanted.  Everything I read convinced Wife and I to buy two nucs and to start with two hives.  Wife insisted "Only TWO!"

Two nights ago she surprised me by asking if we had room in the back yard for a third hive!

I don't know what we're going to look like next year.  But I still have visions of only two hives.

Denial?
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Offline CBT

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2016, 04:47:19 pm »
Your wife is always right. Two hives and one nuc soon make three hives, and three hives and three hives.
Go with the flow :yes:
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Offline Green bee

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2016, 04:50:13 pm »
Quote from: Perry on August 30, 2016, 04:35:57 pm
"One or two hives" 
That's a good one! :yes: :D ;D
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I like this new guy, rt1068, he's funny!
A hint Rick, start looking for some property, scour the net for some good used gear, and then we'll talk some more. ;)
omg Perry that's to funny, but very true. I like rt1068 have yet to get bees, but I said I was only gonna have 2 hives. Now me and the wife has said no more than 4.  :laugh: :laugh: :no:
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Offline iddee

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2016, 05:08:09 pm »
I had 35 in Mississippi. Then moved to NC in 1986. Told my wife I was going to get a couple hives just to play with. 2 or 3 years later, in 88 or 89, I lost 80 plus hives when the mites arrived.
SURE, RT, you can stay with just 2 hives. Keep believing it.  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
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Offline Green bee

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #11 on: August 30, 2016, 05:12:59 pm »
Hey rt sounds to me their saying bees are like tator chips..you can't have just one or two ;D ;D
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Offline rt1068

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2016, 06:57:38 pm »
Quote from: Perry on August 30, 2016, 04:35:57 pm
"One or two hives" 
That's a good one! :yes: :D ;D
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I like this new guy, rt1068, he's funny!
A hint Rick, start looking for some property, scour the net for some good used gear, and then we'll talk some more. ;)

see, that is what I mean. I was afraid I was just fooling myself by thinking I could just have a couple of hives. Honestly though, I really wouldn't have room to add much more at my present location. Don't tell my wife but I have found myself searching the net for some land for the future ;D. I suppose I need to worry about getting through my first winter before worrying about expansion. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I also don't want to fail to plan.

Oh, and I am a funny guy, you're right :laugh:
« Last Edit: August 30, 2016, 07:02:07 pm by rt1068 »
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Offline rt1068

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #13 on: August 30, 2016, 06:59:19 pm »
Quote from: Green bee on August 30, 2016, 05:12:59 pm
Hey rt sounds to me their saying bees are like tator chips..you can't have just one or two ;D ;D

Yeah, I am picking up on that.  :D
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Offline Jen

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #14 on: August 30, 2016, 07:00:15 pm »
Now! You Guys! You just might scare rt1068 away.

I have successfully downscaled my 5 hives to 2 nice productive hives...

The 5 nucs don't count. Shhhhh   ;) :D 8)
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Offline Perry

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #15 on: August 30, 2016, 07:27:53 pm »
rt said, "I have found myself searching the net for some land for the future".

It's all over for ya Rick, you just don't realize it yet! :laugh:
Next you'll be able to identify all manner of plant life wherever you go, you'll really start appreciating the look of just about anything made of stainless steel, and suddenly you'll be noticing those trucks with flat decks on the back, thinking, that would be nice to work off of and move hives with.  :)
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Offline Green bee

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #16 on: August 30, 2016, 07:52:25 pm »
Rt , how are you planning on starting? Are you buying packages of bees or nucs? Any plans yet.
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Offline iddee

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #17 on: August 30, 2016, 08:07:03 pm »
By spring, he'll be searching Calif. Craig's list for truck loads for sell coming out of the almonds.   :laugh: :yes: :yes: :yes: :laugh:
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“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
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Offline Green bee

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #18 on: August 30, 2016, 08:08:54 pm »
 
Quote from: iddee on August 30, 2016, 08:07:03 pm
By spring, he'll be searching Calif. Craig's list for truck loads for sell coming out of the almonds.   :laugh: :yes: :yes: :yes: :laugh:
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
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Offline CBT

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Re: newbee question
« Reply #19 on: August 30, 2016, 09:01:38 pm »
Sounds to me like he's a bee man walking alright  :yes:
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