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Posted: 4/14/2017 11:04:26 PM EDT
[#1]
Question: Is there not "candy" in one end of the cage?
Normally a queen cage has corks in both ends. But one end also has "candy" inside--a glob of white stuff between the cork and the queen. Does your queen cage not have this? I'll write to the provider and ask him about this. He's an experienced beekeeper himself. He provides lots of bees from between Albuquerque and Orange County, CA, where he picks them up. The " bee bus" (it's the actual name of the cage the bees come in) has a jar of thick syrup. So if the attendants are accepting her -- and as I said, it appears that they are*-- then they are feeding her. She's been in her cage inside the bee bus with the rest of the package for, I'm guessing, a week or more. *I have seen a video of bees as they start "balling" the queen. They are quite viscious! The video I saw had the queen in her cage, surrounded by angry, murderous workers. The beekeeper could not pry them away from the cage without effort!  How Bees Beehave When They Don't Accept the New Queen |
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Posted: 4/14/2017 11:06:35 PM EDT
[#2]
Question: Is there not "candy" in one end of the cage?
Normally a queen cage has corks in both ends. But one end also has "candy" inside--a glob of white stuff between the cork and the queen. Does your queen cage not have this? I'll write to the provider and ask him about this. He's an experienced beekeeper himself. He provides lots of bees from between Albuquerque and Orange County, CA, where he picks them up. The " bee bus" (it's the actual name of the cage the bees come in) has a jar of thick syrup. So if the attendants are accepting her -- and as I said, it appears that they are*-- then they are feeding her. She's been in her cage inside the bee bus with the rest of the package for, I'm guessing, a week or more. *I have seen a video of bees as they start "balling" the queen. They are quite viscious! The video I saw had the queen in her cage, surrounded by angry, murderous workers. The beekeeper could not pry them away from the cage without effort! How Bees Beehave When They Don't Accept the New Queen |
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Posted: 4/14/2017 11:46:02 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By FrankSymptoms:
I haven't looked. I assumed that all of the candy she had would consist of the marshmallow cork... which isn't in her cage at this time. I'll write to the provider and ask him about this. He's an experienced beekeeper himself. He provides lots of bees from between Albuquerque and Orange County, CA, where he picks them up. The " bee bus" (it's the actual name of the cage the bees come in) has a jar of thick syrup. So if the attendants are accepting her -- and as I said, it appears that they are*-- then they are feeding her. She's been in her cage inside the bee bus with the rest of the package for, I'm guessing, a week or more. *I have seen a video of bees as they start "balling" the queen. They are quite viscious! The video I saw had the queen in her cage, surrounded by angry, murderous workers. The beekeeper could not pry them away from the cage without effort!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQJ8bJj1XIsIn the other end of the cage is a cork with 'candy" behind it. This candy is a barrier that is somewhat hard. I once knew the recipe for this, but no longer do as I never had to make it. I bet CE knows, though, as he's fixin to start raising queens. Anyway...this is not just marshmallow. This is a BARRIER. So most beekeepers will put the queen cage in and remove the cork from the 'candy" end. It will take the colony three days or so to chew through this candy to release the queen. By then they have accepted her. If, by that time, they have not made it through, the beekeeper will take an ice pick or some such, and poke a hole or two in the candy to help the colony along with their release of the queen. If your queen has been in that cage for a week already, you want her released as soon as possible, assuming the colony has accepted her. NOW....Not all bee behavior is as blatant as the video. Yes, those bees want to kill that queen. But there is "we want to kill this bitch!" And there is..."who is this bitch? *sniff* Who does she think she is? She thinks she's comin' in here to run things? Well we'll see about THAT." And there is..."Okay yeah.. She smells good. Let's see if she's got the egg laying thing happening..." And there is "OH YEAH BABY! GET OUT HERE AND SHOW US YOUR EGGS!!!!" So...don't get hung up on any of that, but look in that cage and see if you don't have a blob of white stuff under in one "hole" (LOOK FROM THE QUEEN'S POINT OF VIEW. DO NOT TAKE OUT THE CORK UNLESS YOU KNOW FOR SURE) If you see a blob of white stuff in the hole on one end, I'd take that cork out and let the colony begin chewing away the candy to release her. You still might have to help, but let them get going. Time's a wastin in the bee world. |
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Posted: 4/15/2017 12:03:25 AM EDT
[#4]
After a bit of a rough start, my packages came in today around 10:00 am. By 16:30 I had them all re-homed, after my better half got off work and went down there with me. She took lots of pics as we went. I even spotted the queen in the feral colony that I rescued back in February. It was exciting. That colony is doing well. Lots of brood and honey.
Unfortunately, not everything went well. The vendor doesn't use a hard candy in the bee bus (thanks FrankSymptoms for the new term). They used a very sticky, glue-like candy. Well, two of my queens were stuck in it and dead. I don't know which happened first, the dying or the sticking, but they are goners. I've already contacted the vendor both via phone (left voicemail) and email. Their policy is to ship new queens if notified within 24 hours. I really hoped to be done with this vendor. Now, for the problem. It's Easter weekend. I'm traveling Tuesday. My wife probably isn't willing to install the queens by herself. I will ask members of my bee club whether one of them is available. Am I totally screwed? Or, just marginally? What is the proper course of action when this happens? |
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Posted: 4/15/2017 10:02:58 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
What does everyone do to prevent swarming? There are many ways (reversing brood boxes, adding supers, splitting). I would like to get an idea of how everyone handles this. Since I am in the business of making bees, my swarm prevention methods include splitting hives but this season I would like to have a "few" colonies that I use for honey production. I am also thinking about trying to run one or two colonies in single brood boxes with multiple supers. It will be tricky to overwinter them in this configuration but I'm willing to try. It may mean leaving a full super on for the winter. Last week I finished up making 39 splits. This year I left the queen in the mother hive and the Nuc made the new queen cells. Last year I removed the queen and placed her in the nuc, forcing the mother hive to make a new queen. I think this is the best idea. This eliminated any chance of a swarm until the new queen started laying. By then I hoped that whichever bees in the hive decided the swarm was a good idea should be expired. I didn't have time to run and check all of the mother hives to see if they re-queened properly last year. This year all of my nucs are in 1 yard and I can check them all in 1 day. |
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Posted: 4/15/2017 10:07:59 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
To your last question: If the colony has decided to accept her, they will feed her. She should have attendants in her cage. (Does she?) Normally a queen is caged with attendants. So when you watch closely what the colony is doing while they are gathered around her cage, you might see that some of them are feeding her, or offering food to the attendants, who will then feed her. If they are not trying to bite her through the cage wire, they have probably accepted her. Question: Is there not "candy" in one end of the cage? Normally a queen cage has corks in both ends. But one end also has "candy" inside--a glob of white stuff between the cork and the queen. Does your queen cage not have this? |
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Posted: 4/15/2017 10:11:23 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DUX4LIFE:
All of the above...lol Last week I finished up making 39 splits. This year I left the queen in the mother hive and the Nuc made the new queen cells. Last year I removed the queen and placed her in the nuc, forcing the mother hive to make a new queen. I think this is the best idea. This eliminated any chance of a swarm until the new queen started laying. By then I hoped that whichever bees in the hive decided the swarm was a good idea should be expired. I didn't have time to run and check all of the mother hives to see if they re-queened properly last year. This year all of my nucs are in 1 yard and I can check them all in 1 day. 
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Posted: 4/15/2017 10:13:53 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DUX4LIFE:
Many queen producers are now shipping queens WITHOUT attendants. WTF... The queens are in smaller cages also... |
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Posted: 4/15/2017 10:14:50 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DUX4LIFE:
Many queen producers are now shipping queens WITHOUT attendants. WTF... The queens are in smaller cages also... 
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Posted: 4/15/2017 10:17:00 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By sgt_seti:
After a bit of a rough start, my packages came in today around 10:00 am. By 16:30 I had them all re-homed, after my better half got off work and went down there with me. She took lots of pics as we went. I even spotted the queen in the feral colony that I rescued back in February. It was exciting. That colony is doing well. Lots of brood and honey. Unfortunately, not everything went well. The vendor doesn't use a hard candy in the bee bus (thanks FrankSymptoms for the new term). They used a very sticky, glue-like candy. Well, two of my queens were stuck in it and dead. I don't know which happened first, the dying or the sticking, but they are goners. I've already contacted the vendor both via phone (left voicemail) and email. Their policy is to ship new queens if notified within 24 hours. I really hoped to be done with this vendor. Now, for the problem. It's Easter weekend. I'm traveling Tuesday. My wife probably isn't willing to install the queens by herself. I will ask members of my bee club whether one of them is available. Am I totally screwed? Or, just marginally? What is the proper course of action when this happens? How long are you going to be gone? |
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Posted: 4/15/2017 10:19:07 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
Have heard the same. I wonder why they are doing this? It only takes a minute to put in 5 or 6 attendants in the cage and it will certainly help the queen as that is how she gets fed. I don't get it... |
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Posted: 4/15/2017 10:25:05 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
It seems idiotic, but I wonder what the thinking is? |
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Posted: 4/15/2017 11:19:55 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Kitties-with-Sigs]
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
Time = money so that extra minute or two per queen cage can add up when making hundreds of them up. They may also figure that the cluster around the queen cage can still feed her through the screening on the cage. I'm not sure that's just my guess but it seems stupid if you ask me. I'm willing to bet that a lot more packages will arrive with dead queens. Not good business IMHO. Packages are a disaster to begin with, this will make the product even worse. I thought about the idea that if the cluster doesn't give food and water to the attendants, they can't give it to the queen, so maybe the thinking is....she will live or die. ..but there's the candy available from her end too, at least in a normal queen cage that I'm used to. If that kind of "whatever let's save 30 seconds per queen" thinking is pervading beekeeping, I am truly worried about the industry. 
I will also say...that IMO, the marshmallow instead of queen candy is why I lost a number of queens from a local producer, and I think it's why he didn't make it as a queen producer. He insisted on using marshmallows instead of the traditional candy. I understood his thinking, but I had three queens be sluggish after one day in the cage. (He was only about 25 miles from me, so he caged in the evening, I picked up the next day and installed.) It contributed to the downfall of three hives for me, because it prolonged their queenless state to the point that they gave up. ETA: He DID quit using colored marshmallows (he would buy the packs of small marshmallows, which sometimes come in pink, green, white, etc.) after two queens in a row failed for me immediately--they were dead within the 24 hour period, before I could even install, and he later said he had other beekeepers who'd lost queens, but did not put it together until I lost mine. I treated the queens really well on the way home, and he knew I was careful. It turned me against the marshmallow thing though. I am just not sure the marshmallow candy is the best option. |
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Posted: 4/16/2017 12:55:33 PM EDT
[Last Edit: cuttingedge]
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
Packages are problematic. But a less expensive way to get going....at least they WERE less expensive. I thought about the idea that if the cluster doesn't give food and water to the attendants, they can't give it to the queen, so maybe the thinking is....she will live or die. ..but there's the candy available from her end too, at least in a normal queen cage that I'm used to. If that kind of "whatever let's save 30 seconds per queen" thinking is pervading beekeeping, I am truly worried about the industry.
I will also say...that IMO, the marshmallow instead of queen candy is why I lost a number of queens from a local producer, and I think it's why he didn't make it as a queen producer. He insisted on using marshmallows instead of the traditional candy. I understood his thinking, but I had three queens be sluggish after one day in the cage. (He was only about 25 miles from me, so he caged in the evening, I picked up the next day and installed.) It contributed to the downfall of three hives for me, because it prolonged their queenless state to the point that they gave up. ETA: He DID quit using colored marshmallows (he would buy the packs of small marshmallows, which sometimes come in pink, green, white, etc.) after two queens in a row failed for me immediately--they were dead within the 24 hour period, before I could even install, and he later said he had other beekeepers who'd lost queens, but did not put it together until I lost mine. I treated the queens really well on the way home, and he knew I was careful. It turned me against the marshmallow thing though. I am just not sure the marshmallow candy is the best option. 
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Posted: 4/16/2017 3:45:26 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
One of you bee club will probably come and put the queens in. How long are you going to be gone? He also admitted that the sticky candy was a problem. It's been really humid there, and he will adjust the recipe. I'm guessing that it's been an issue for many folks. Also, as was mentioned later in the thread, mine were all sent without attendants. I was expecting them to be there. I spent yesterday mending fences, literally, down by my apiary. So, I'm about to head out, inspect, and give more syrup. One that had a queen looked like it was swarming yesterday afternoon. I'm hoping for the best. |
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Posted: 4/16/2017 4:20:37 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By sgt_seti:
I'm gone through Friday. The vendor did respond Saturday morning and said that they would ship immediately with an arrival on Monday. Assuming that's right, I'll have them installed in plenty of time before my departure on Tuesday. He also admitted that the sticky candy was a problem. It's been really humid there, and he will adjust the recipe. I'm guessing that it's been an issue for many folks. Also, as was mentioned later in the thread, mine were all sent without attendants. I was expecting them to be there. I spent yesterday mending fences, literally, down by my apiary. So, I'm about to head out, inspect, and give more syrup. One that had a queen looked like it was swarming yesterday afternoon. I'm hoping for the best. |
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Posted: 4/17/2017 9:45:57 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
Maybe they were just hot and hanging out on the hive. It's already been an adventure, and it's only mid-April! |
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Posted: 4/17/2017 12:07:28 PM EDT
[#18]
Aww, well, shoot.
Sorry about that, right off the bat. it is the way of beekeeping though.
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Posted: 4/18/2017 4:49:02 PM EDT
[#19]
I picked up two new extra hive boxes from my cousin this last weekend that he had sitting around, 2 complete sets: bottom board, deep lower, queen extruder, medium super, inner and outer covers plus all the frames with plastic foundations.
He mentioned attaching the bottom board to the deep with two small metal straps to hold it together. I don't see that in my book nor do I see it anywhere else. I know the bees will glue it all together eventually and I'll have to pry it apart. Do any of you attach the bottom board to the brood chamber? Bees will be here on Saturday. |
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Posted: 4/18/2017 5:28:57 PM EDT
[#20]
I opened the hives today.
The new hive was thriving! A total of perhaps 1/2 full comb, spread over 5 frames, has been built in 4 days. And today was the day I removed the plug from the queen's cage and replaced it with a marshmallow. So she'll be free in a day or so. They were kind of edgy; after opening the hive (and getting stung on my ear) I decided to suit up, and will continue to do so till they settle down. Opening the old hive, I found lots of drones and drone brood, but also more worker brood than I saw before. I think I found the queen, too, longer and more slender than the workers, but she didn't look as "leathery" as she did the first time I saw her. And she was on a brand-new piece of comb, about as large as my hand; there was no brood around her, nor honey. There were LOTS of workers around! They covered the walls of the hive, and almost all of the older comb. So for now there's no shortage of workers. There was so much new comb that I decided to make a small harvest; we are enjoying honey on our toast today! Hope all is well with everyone out there! |
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Posted: 4/18/2017 6:13:37 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By joemama74:
I picked up two new extra hive boxes from my cousin this last weekend that he had sitting around, 2 complete sets: bottom board, deep lower, queen extruder, medium super, inner and outer covers plus all the frames with plastic foundations. He mentioned attaching the bottom board to the deep with two small metal straps to hold it together. I don't see that in my book nor do I see it anywhere else. I know the bees will glue it all together eventually and I'll have to pry it apart. Do any of you attach the bottom board to the brood chamber? Bees will be here on Saturday. |
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Posted: 4/18/2017 11:16:57 PM EDT
[Last Edit: fish223]
[#22]
Got home at 130 am today, slept for 4 hours, and back out the door. Finally, after work, got to check on my hive. Installed the package Friday, hung the queen in her cage (she came with attendants btw).
The cage is empty, the queen, I hope, is doing what queens do, and the hive has a lot of comb going up. To my entirely inexperienced eye, the hive looks happy. I'm not sure why I feel that, but it does. So I put the lid back on, and I check them again in a few more days. So far, so good. 
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Posted: 4/19/2017 1:07:52 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By fish223:
Got home at 130 am today, slept for 4 hours, and back out the door. Finally, after work, got to check on my hive. Installed the package Friday, hung the queen in her cage (she came with attendants btw). The cage is empty, the queen, I hope, is doing what queens do, and the hive has a lot of comb going up. To my entirely inexperienced eye, the hive looks happy. I'm not sure why I feel that, but it does. So I put the lid back on, and I check them again in a few more days. So far, so good. Yeah, that instinct works for your bees too. You'll take a bit to attune your instincts to bees as you have to how your patient is doing, but... You're doing good.
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Posted: 4/19/2017 1:09:38 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By FrankSymptoms:
I opened the hives today. The new hive was thriving! A total of perhaps 1/2 full comb, spread over 5 frames, has been built in 4 days. And today was the day I removed the plug from the queen's cage and replaced it with a marshmallow. So she'll be free in a day or so. They were kind of edgy; after opening the hive (and getting stung on my ear) I decided to suit up, and will continue to do so till they settle down. Opening the old hive, I found lots of drones and drone brood, but also more worker brood than I saw before. I think I found the queen, too, longer and more slender than the workers, but she didn't look as "leathery" as she did the first time I saw her. And she was on a brand-new piece of comb, about as large as my hand; there was no brood around her, nor honey. There were LOTS of workers around! They covered the walls of the hive, and almost all of the older comb. So for now there's no shortage of workers. There was so much new comb that I decided to make a small harvest; we are enjoying honey on our toast today! Hope all is well with everyone out there! You will not be the first to think a hive might be queenless, to find out that hive is queenright. |
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Posted: 4/19/2017 4:47:41 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
Good news on many workers. Hoping you see the queen in that original hive soon, or eggs, for evidence of queen. You will not be the first to think a hive might be queenless, to find out that hive is queenright. Anyone ever been stung on the ear? I got it on the top of my left ear. HobbitWife scraped the stinger out within about a minute, and now it's very red and itches like crazy. |
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Posted: 4/19/2017 12:10:26 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By FrankSymptoms:
I must admit, I freaked out a little when I saw so many drone cells. Anyone ever been stung on the ear? I got it on the top of my left ear. HobbitWife scraped the stinger out within about a minute, and now it's very red and itches like crazy. Congrats on how well your girls are doing! |
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Posted: 4/19/2017 3:58:56 PM EDT
[#27]
Another question: My cousin said I could put lemon grass oil in a bee trap to lure swarming bees in. Since I have a brand new hive that I just painted (outside only), should I put lemon grass inside of it to help with the smell and make it more welcoming to my new bees?
I don't have lemon grass oil, but I've got about 5000 pots of lemon grass in the greenhouse, so it's no big deal to pull some, crumple it up and put it in there. |
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Posted: 4/19/2017 8:43:30 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Kitties-with-Sigs]
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By FrankSymptoms:
I must admit, I freaked out a little when I saw so many drone cells. Anyone ever been stung on the ear? I got it on the top of my left ear. HobbitWife scraped the stinger out within about a minute, and now it's very red and itches like crazy. Mine is in a little squeeze bottle. It's old. It is not in these roller ball thingies. But it works. Stops the stinging, and I usually have to apply it only once. Edited cuz I forgot to add the link. Sting Eze I actually used to keep an Epi pen in my box, too, when they did not cost a stupid amount of money. My doc kept me a running script so I could get them when I wanted them because we did Search & Rescue. So I just kept one of the pens from my rescue pack in my bee box. Never had to use it, but figured there might come a day when somebody allergic got an attack of the stupid and walked up on me when I was working bees. Here is what my bottle looks like. I got this squeeze bottle (more product, simpler packaging) at our local outdoor store. This image I snagged from REI so clearly they have it in that form. Only takes a few drops. 
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Posted: 4/19/2017 8:57:51 PM EDT
[#29]
I actually used to keep an Epi pen in my box, too, when they did not cost a stupid amount of money. She gets a kick about how the bees come up to her, crawl around on her arms and face, and just fly away. She just puts out positive vibes I guess. I usually get stung on the fingers, because I get careless and surprise one of the ladies. As a generality, 5 percent of our population is allergic to honey bee venom. |
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Posted: 4/19/2017 9:11:13 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Kitties-with-Sigs]
[#30]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By FrankSymptoms:
That's an excellent idea. We have two at our house just in case. HobbitWife has never been stung; son has been stung once and I've been hit multiple times. I don't have any problem but son and wife may be allergic, we just don't know yet. She gets a kick about how the bees come up to her, crawl around on her arms and face, and just fly away. She just puts out positive vibes I guess. I usually get stung on the fingers, because I get careless and surprise one of the ladies. As a generality, 5 percent of our population is allergic to honey bee venom. Okay that there is my disclaimer. NOW: TO ALL BEEKEEPERS: I've read too much and done too much research into sting therapy and such, to buy into the current medical caveat, but...*****I DO NOT TAKE ANAPHYLAXIS LIGHTLY. If there is ANY chance you might be allergic, or anybody near you might be allergic, carry an Epi pen. I do not work bees without gloves, because getting stung is SO NOT FUN, and it takes the fun out of beekeeping. I get stung anyway, but not much, and not bad, but I want fun, so I wear gloves. |
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Posted: 4/19/2017 9:22:33 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By joemama74:
Another question: My cousin said I could put lemon grass oil in a bee trap to lure swarming bees in. Since I have a brand new hive that I just painted (outside only), should I put lemon grass inside of it to help with the smell and make it more welcoming to my new bees? I don't have lemon grass oil, but I've got about 5000 pots of lemon grass in the greenhouse, so it's no big deal to pull some, crumple it up and put it in there. Keep it small so that if they're tired of it they can drag it out easily. Yes, you can use lemongrass oil to attract swarms. One nice beekeeper here on the forum sent me a bit of the oil and a piece of old comb (that is his combination--a q-tip with a drop of lemongrass oil and a bit of old comb in the swarm trap, to catch swarms) and I still have it, safe and sound. Have not used it yet but I will. I have not seen him this season but maybe he will chime in... |
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Posted: 4/19/2017 11:43:52 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
You might put a leaf or two in there. Mush it a little to release the essential oils. Keep it small so that if they're tired of it they can drag it out easily. Yes, you can use lemongrass oil to attract swarms. One nice beekeeper here on the forum sent me a bit of the oil and a piece of old comb (that is his combination--a q-tip with a drop of lemongrass oil and a bit of old comb in the swarm trap, to catch swarms) and I still have it, safe and sound. Have not used it yet but I will. I have not seen him this season but maybe he will chime in... |
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Posted: 4/20/2017 12:17:49 AM EDT
[#33]
I got the replacement queens installed on Monday. They arrived promptly, with attendants, and with hard candy and not the sticky stuff that may have killed the other two queens. As of this evening, both queens were released. But, one of them was still in the cage with a lot of other workers. It didn't look aggressive to me, but I'm still learning.
Today, I also found that 3 of the new colonies are building comb hanging from the inner cover. One of the colonies was queenless Friday through Monday. So, I'm going to have some cleaning up to do. I'm going to let them build out some more and then move the comb into frames. I'm not looking forward to that. Is this a frequent occurrence for packages, for them to build on the inner cover rather than the frames (with waxed foundation)? In case it matters, this is the configuration of the hive, working top to bottom: - telescoping cover - inner cover - medium super box - sugar syrup bag, sitting directly on frames - hive box with 10 frames; most new, but of varying types - screened bottom with entrance reducer set to small A super-majority of the equipment is new. It's always an adventure. But, I'm including my family. My teenage daughter was my helper tonight. |
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Posted: 4/20/2017 12:21:41 AM EDT
[Last Edit: sgt_seti]
[#34]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
It wasn't me but I will throw in my .02 cents. A good friend of mine was VERY successful catching swarms last year. He caught about 20 so I asked him what he does. His traps are the same size as a deep Langstroth hive body. He smokes his traps heavily with a smoker and let's them air out for a day or two. He then places a piece of old comb in and one or two drops of lemon grass oil. He says that one of the things that is very successful is putting propolis in a glass jar and filling it with alcohol. Shake it and stir it up to dissolve the propolis. You can then paint some onto the inside and outside of your traps with it. The alcohol dissolves quickly and the bees are very attracted to the smell of the propolis, old comb and lemongrass oil. It worked very well for him so I will be using it this year. |
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Posted: 4/20/2017 8:56:50 AM EDT
[Last Edit: cuttingedge]
[#35]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By sgt_seti:
I got the replacement queens installed on Monday. They arrived promptly, with attendants, and with hard candy and not the sticky stuff that may have killed the other two queens. As of this evening, both queens were released. But, one of them was still in the cage with a lot of other workers. It didn't look aggressive to me, but I'm still learning. Today, I also found that 3 of the new colonies are building comb hanging from the inner cover. One of the colonies was queenless Friday through Monday. So, I'm going to have some cleaning up to do. I'm going to let them build out some more and then move the comb into frames. I'm not looking forward to that. Is this a frequent occurrence for packages, for them to build on the inner cover rather than the frames (with waxed foundation)? In case it matters, this is the configuration of the hive, working top to bottom: - telescoping cover - inner cover - medium super box - sugar syrup bag, sitting directly on frames - hive box with 10 frames; most new, but of varying types - screened bottom with entrance reducer set to small A super-majority of the equipment is new. It's always an adventure. But, I'm including my family. My teenage daughter was my helper tonight. |
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Posted: 4/20/2017 9:03:57 AM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By sgt_seti:
Hmm, luring in swarms. Maybe I should try that next year. I have a red-tipped photinia that gets covered in bees. It is adjacent to an unused dog kennel with a roof at 6' high. I could put a lure box on top of that. What do you think? Good idea? Bad? After this year, I'll be a really big fan of not buying any packages unless I must.
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Posted: 4/20/2017 6:16:40 PM EDT
[#37]
My 7 year old daughter and I installed our two packages on Tuesday. Large quantities of pollen are already entering the hives. Today they each slammed a full quart of syrup.
It's funny how they both already seem so different than each other. One hive flies less, but uses a little more syrup. The other is a foraging beast. We have cold temps the next few days, so it will probably be next Tuesday before I check on the queens. Pretty cool experience so far! |
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Posted: 4/20/2017 8:51:12 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By BustinCaps:
My 7 year old daughter and I installed our two packages on Tuesday. Large quantities of pollen are already entering the hives. Today they each slammed a full quart of syrup. It's funny how they both already seem so different than each other. One hive flies less, but uses a little more syrup. The other is a foraging beast. We have cold temps the next few days, so it will probably be next Tuesday before I check on the queens. Pretty cool experience so far! Perhaps when she hits high school, honey can be her cash crop for her FFA project.
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Posted: 4/21/2017 7:42:02 PM EDT
[Last Edit: FrankSymptoms]
[#39]
Good News! HobbitWife says that the bees in the new hive are returning with pollen on their legs! Looks like they are settling right in!
I opened their hive yesterday. The Queen has gotten out of her cage. The bees have already made about 1 1/2 (total amount) frames of comb! Theirs is a sort of milky white comb, not yellow like other bees. |
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Posted: 4/22/2017 11:20:56 AM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By FrankSymptoms:
Good News! HobbitWife says that the bees in the new hive are returning with pollen on their legs! Looks like they are settling right in! I opened their hive yesterday. The Queen has gotten out of her cage. The bees have already made about 1 1/2 (total amount) frames of comb! Theirs is a sort of milky white comb, not yellow like other bees. Do your other bees not build white comb? |
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Posted: 4/22/2017 12:54:23 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
Milky white is normal for new comb, at least for Italian bees. Do your other bees not build white comb? |
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Posted: 4/22/2017 4:25:33 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Kitties-with-Sigs]
[#42]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
You are correct. White comb implies that it was just made. It changes color as it is being used. Bees walk all over it with foreign substances, queens lay eggs in it, it is filled with various things (Brood, Royal Jelly, Nectar, Pollen, Honey, Bee Bread, Varroa, etc). Incidentally, a lot of beekeepers who trap swarms and hope to hold them and keep them in a hive, recommend using the oldest comb possible as an attractant. I don't know how important this is, but many, many old timers will tell you to include a piece of old comb in your trap, or put a frame of "black" comb in with a new colony. They consider that black comb to be their most valuable. |
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Posted: 4/22/2017 9:51:43 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
A lot of beekeepers tend hives without gloves. A lot of beekeepers purposely get stung a time or two a year because they believe it builds up a tolerance. I actually believe this too, IN SPITE OF THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY'S CURRENT STATEMENTS TO THE CONTRARY, AND THE CURRENT UNDERSTANDING THAT ALLERGANS ACTUALLY BUILD UP OVER TIME, CAUSING AN ALLERGIC REACTION IN THE INDIVIDUAL WHO MAY HAVE NEVER EXHIBITED SYMPTOMS BEFORE. Okay that there is my disclaimer. NOW: TO ALL BEEKEEPERS: I've read too much and done too much research into sting therapy and such, to buy into the current medical caveat, but...*****I DO NOT TAKE ANAPHYLAXIS LIGHTLY. If there is ANY chance you might be allergic, or anybody near you might be allergic, carry an Epi pen. I do not work bees without gloves, because getting stung is SO NOT FUN, and it takes the fun out of beekeeping. I get stung anyway, but not much, and not bad, but I want fun, so I wear gloves. |
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Posted: 4/22/2017 10:18:42 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DUX4LIFE:
I hope this is incorrect as there are times I get stung 20-30 plus in a day(not every day) as I usually refuse to wear gloves. This year I started to wear my veil more often as I can work faster since I don't have to be as careful. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DUX4LIFE:
Originally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
A lot of beekeepers tend hives without gloves. A lot of beekeepers purposely get stung a time or two a year because they believe it builds up a tolerance. I actually believe this too, IN SPITE OF THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY'S CURRENT STATEMENTS TO THE CONTRARY, AND THE CURRENT UNDERSTANDING THAT ALLERGANS ACTUALLY BUILD UP OVER TIME, CAUSING AN ALLERGIC REACTION IN THE INDIVIDUAL WHO MAY HAVE NEVER EXHIBITED SYMPTOMS BEFORE. Okay that there is my disclaimer. NOW: TO ALL BEEKEEPERS: I've read too much and done too much research into sting therapy and such, to buy into the current medical caveat, but...*****I DO NOT TAKE ANAPHYLAXIS LIGHTLY. If there is ANY chance you might be allergic, or anybody near you might be allergic, carry an Epi pen. I do not work bees without gloves, because getting stung is SO NOT FUN, and it takes the fun out of beekeeping. I get stung anyway, but not much, and not bad, but I want fun, so I wear gloves. faster since I don't have to be as careful. |
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Posted: 4/22/2017 11:31:19 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
From what I understand as a Beekeeper, you want to get stung at least a few times on a weekly basis. We had a doctor speak at our state annual meeting and he confirmed this. If you only get stung occasionally, your body cannot build up a tolerance and you are more likely to develop a stronger reaction. I only got stung a few times last year and I wear gloves. This season things are changing. I need to mark queens so I am working through different types of gloves to become comfortable working without them. I am starting with chemical gloves followed by Playtex dish gloves. Hopefully after that I can move to surgical gloves and eventually nothing. We will see how it goes. I do envy those that are comfortable enough to work without gloves as I know I NEED to get comfortable doing just that. Hopefully you will have this result as well. The workers...yeah, they'll nail you. But his experience backs up mine in that queens are basically chill. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 7:13:39 AM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
My guy who used to raise queens told me that in all the time he was working with them (and he did mark them) he was never stung by a queen. Hopefully you will have this result as well. The workers...yeah, they'll nail you. But his experience backs up mine in that queens are basically chill. 
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Posted: 4/23/2017 10:34:19 AM EDT
[Last Edit: FrankSymptoms]
[#47]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
My guy who used to raise queens told me that in all the time he was working with them (and he did mark them) he was never stung by a queen. Hopefully you will have this result as well. The workers...yeah, they'll nail you. But his experience backs up mine in that queens are basically chill. BUT they went absolutely insane when I handled the queen's cage! They love their queens I guess. As for stings.. I got stung on the left ear, at the top. It didn't hurt as much, hardly swelled at all. (HobbitWife scraped the stinger out pretty quickly.) But I've never left the stinger in for more than about a minute anyway. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 4:59:55 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
I have heard the same. My queen breeding mentor taught a class at our bee club a few years ago. He said that one of the things that he wishes every beekeeper would do when they first start out is "work without gloves". It teaches you to move slowly and you can feel when you are crushing bees. Once you get stung a few times, you learn to move more methodically thrrough the hives. I thought he was crazy advising that to new Beekeepers but he was probably right. Now, since I did not listen to him, I am forced to work through different thicknesses of gloves to get comfortable because yes, I am a baby and dont like getting stung. I'm going into all of my hives today to check on food reserves and count how many frames the bees are occupying. I am going to wear my "thin" chemical gloves and see how it goes Beyond that, I cannot overcome the need to jerk away when something lands on my skin, or freak out when a buzzing thing is in my hair. After a lifetime of not wanting bugs crawling on me, I'm not going to overcome that reflex any time soon I'm afraid. 
I can still feel when I am crushing bees even with the gloves on, but I certainly can't do detail stuff...like I could never mark a queen with those gloves on. The queen work, I don't see how you could do with gloves at all. Interested in how it goes for you. Hope to see some pics of your queen rearing setup when you get going. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 5:42:56 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
If I had worked without gloves I would not have become a beekeeper. I don't like getting stung. It takes all the fun out of it. And once they sting you, that pheromone....here come more and if you've got the hive torn apart there's nothing you can do but keep working. Beyond that, I cannot overcome the need to jerk away when something lands on my skin, or freak out when a buzzing thing is in my hair. After a lifetime of not wanting bugs crawling on me, I'm not going to overcome that reflex any time soon I'm afraid.
I can still feel when I am crushing bees even with the gloves on, but I certainly can't do detail stuff...like I could never mark a queen with those gloves on. The queen work, I don't see how you could do with gloves at all. Interested in how it goes for you. Hope to see some pics of your queen rearing setup when you get going. Everybody was busy so the bees were not really interested in me. Meanwhile here are a few nice photos from today. 
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Posted: 4/23/2017 9:35:56 PM EDT
[#50]
Great day today. Son called me and told me that I missed a swarm while I was planting the garden. I looked at the hive early and noticed a little bearding but when I was finished they were gone so I assumed they went back inside. My son found them hanging on a small cedar limb 16" from the ground. Made an easy catch.
Went out to the Nuk yard and found 6 more swarms. One was about 2-3 pounds of bees, 2 of them were about a softball size swarm, 1 was about 6-7 pounds. the others were 3 pounds or so. The 6-7 pounder was hanging on a stack of wooden pallets and a softball size swarm right next to it. Found the queen in the small one and caged her. Found the queen in the large one and then clumsy me dropped her while walking to get a cage for her. While that was going on I knocked the large swarm into a nuk box but it OVERFLOWED. Added a second story to it and started looking for another queen just in case(sometimes they leave the hive with more than one queen and separate later) sure enough found another and caged her. I put the queen from the small swarm into the bottom nuc box and the other queen into the top nuc box. went and caught more swarms. came back and half of the large swarm vacated so I guess I have a spare queen now. Took the other small swarm and dumped them into a queenless hive I had. We'll see how that goes. |
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