And so into the second year -- a few notes for starters.

[ShinySideUp]

I have brought my two colonies through the winter -- great relief.

I did a full inspection on my nuc box today and then moved the bees into their full hive -- I actually spotted the queen! Yay!

The other hive had a bit of an inspection from above but the point of that one was to remove a nadir that I had left under for stores through the winter. I was amazed in that when I put it under in October last year it was jam-packed with honey and today when I took it out it was absolutely empty and clean like it had never had any honey in it. I didn't take any of the brood frames out of this hive as I had nothing to look for at this time but what I did see was that all that honey that was in the nadir was now filling the brood box to bursting. All I could do was take the nadir and make it a super again. Although this colony is not as strong as the one in the (ex) nuc box I am hopeful of a large amount of honey this year as they already have huge stores.

I spent the first year seemingly stumbling about hoping I knew something about what I was doing and today, for the first time, I actually felt confident about handling bees. I think spotting the queen was a psychological boost as I spent all last summer looking but not seeing.

So to all those new beekeepers about to go into their first year of this black art...yes, it really does get better -- trust me, I'm now actually a beekeeper

 

[Curly green fingers]

I have brought my two colonies through the winter -- great relief.

I did a full inspection on my nuc box today and then moved the bees into their full hive -- I actually spotted the queen! Yay!

The other hive had a bit of an inspection from above but the point of that one was to remove a nadir that I had left under for stores through the winter. I was amazed in that when I put it under in October last year it was jam-packed with honey and today when I took it out it was absolutely empty and clean like it had never had any honey in it. I didn't take any of the brood frames out of this hive as I had nothing to look for at this time but what I did see was that all that honey that was in the nadir was now filling the brood box to bursting. All I could do was take the nadir and make it a super again. Although this colony is not as strong as the one in the (ex) nuc box I am hopeful of a large amount of honey this year as they already have huge stores.

I spent the first year seemingly stumbling about hoping I knew something about what I was doing and today, for the first time, I actually felt confident about handling bees. I think spotting the queen was a psychological boost as I spent all last summer looking but not seeing.

So to all those new beekeepers about to go into their first year of this black art...yes, it really does get better -- trust me, I'm now actually a beekeeper

I wanted to ask did you put the nadired super back on top of your brood with a QE ? I have a nadir super still under mine I'm waiting for the weather to warm up over the next few weeks, I have bee's covering 10 seems , but I haven't looked yet at how much brood there is on the frames again I'm waiting for the weather. Cheers mark.

 

[beeno]

Well done you for getting your colonies through the winter. Warm weather on the way next week, so make sure there is room in the brood box for the queen to lay. If not they will make swarm preparation and your honey yield will be diminished or none. Have a good season.

 

[ShinySideUp]

I wanted to ask did you put the nadired super back on top of your brood with a QE ? I have a nadir super still under mine I'm waiting for the weather to warm up over the next few weeks, I have bee's covering 10 seems , but I haven't looked yet at how much brood there is on the frames again I'm waiting for the weather. Cheers mark.

Yes, I did put a QE on but made sure the queen had not hidden in the nadir (super) beforehand.

 

[Poly Hive]

Ok so you have a BB stuffed full of stores.

Given the Queen is now possibly restricted what is your plan to move forward?

PH

 

[Hebeegeebee]

I have not seen any real issue with full stores - bees will generally move them away when they need to rear brood - with a super on top I would not be too bothered as they have space to move it to. IF Shiny Side Up had some drawn comb a frame or two might be put in and replace full frames of stores - I would do this to give me frames of stores for queen-rearing nucs - when the weather improves enough.

 

[ShinySideUp]

As hbgb says, the bees will move the stores to the super giving the queen room to lay. I don't do queen rearing as I have enough to consider so the stores can stay where they are.

 

[nightshade]

Lol..I'm just getting twitchy that mine are still in nucs ..haven't been inspected yet. ..are gathering pollen...and I've to put drainage in next weekend which means moving them for a night...

Whats the likelihood of them swarming at the first sign of good weather ?....I haven't even decided whether to treat them now or autumn...

So I've ordered some apivar and apiguard...

Can I safely leave then and move them into hives and treat them first two weeks of may?

 

[ShinySideUp]

Lol..I'm just getting twitchy that mine are still in nucs ..haven't been inspected yet. ..are gathering pollen...and I've to put drainage in next weekend which means moving them for a night...

Whats the likelihood of them swarming at the first sign of good weather ?....I haven't even decided whether to treat them now or autumn...

So I've ordered some apivar and apiguard...

Can I safely leave then and move them into hives and treat them first two weeks of may?

When I moved my bees from the nuc yesterday there was no sign at all of swarm cells and also no sign of drone cells. My little knowledge might imply that if you could do it in the next two weeks you would probably be ok but if you move into May, with the weather rapidly warming now, I think you may be pushing your luck. At the start of May I shall be putting my bait hives out so that should tell you something.

I have to say I am quite inexperienced so my views may be subject to modification by others.

 

[nightshade]

Fingers and toes crossed!!!

 

[Anduril]

As Beeno and Poly Hive, if you haven't got a plan of action now, then you won't have a big honey crop this year.

 

[Swarm]

As hbgb says, the bees will move the stores to the super giving the queen room to lay. I don't do queen rearing as I have enough to consider so the stores can stay where they are.

Bees may need some encouragement to move those stores upstairs, consider bruising the cappings.

 

[enrico]

Hi shiny,
Just a quick note for your second year that no one mentions.
Instead of your nice hive with lovely white, straight, Comb and honey and brood where it should be, this year you will find the comb changing colour, beginning to look old, there will be holes where queen cells can get hidden and there will be so many bees that you will think the hive will burst. Eventually it will and despite your best efforts they will swarm, then swarm again ..... And again. Every waking minute will become an obsession about your bees. You will lose sleep and may even shed a tear or two. And then you will get some honey and all will be well. Till your third year when ,..............
In the tenth year you can call yourself a proper beekeeper!
Just joking, hope all goes well
E

 

[ShinySideUp]

Hi shiny,
Just a quick note for your second year that no one mentions.
Instead of your nice hive with lovely white, straight, Comb and honey and brood where it should be, this year you will find the comb changing colour, beginning to look old, there will be holes where queen cells can get hidden and there will be so many bees that you will think the hive will burst. Eventually it will and despite your best efforts they will swarm, then swarm again ..... And again. Every waking minute will become an obsession about your bees. You will lose sleep and may even shed a tear or two. And then you will get some honey and all will be well. Till your third year when ,..............
In the tenth year you can call yourself a proper beekeeper!
Just joking, hope all goes well
E

Ah, one minute I'm up the next I am down...but the bees go on with or without me. I should write a song with those lyrics...oh, wait.

 

[Anduril]

Ah, one minute I'm up the next I am down...but the bees go on with or without me. I should write a song with those lyrics...oh, wait.

Your posts come across as though you are bipolar!

 

[ShinySideUp]

Your posts come across as though you are bipolar!

I was referring to the fact that one minute I think I am coming on as a beekeeper but then someone brings me down to earth with the realities of the beekeeping craft. I am not bipolar, however I will presume that your comment was made in jest rather than malice.

 

[colinc]

I read it as jest. That is the issue of the internet and forums, a lack of punctuation and tone changes meaning completely.

Is my first sentence using read in the past or present tense? Not that it matters but similar issues can make a post rude.


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[colinc]

Good luck with year 2.


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[Poly Hive]

If you don't positively encourage the moving of those stores as Swarm so rightly says by bruising which is why your hive tool has that scraper end they will end up swarming for lack of room.

You either have bees or you're a Beekeeper the two are far from the same.

PH

 

[Anduril]

I was referring to the fact that one minute I think I am coming on as a beekeeper but then someone brings me down to earth with the realities of the beekeeping craft. I am not bipolar, however I will presume that your comment was made in jest rather than malice.

No not malice, we are all here to help you achieve your goals.