Check list

[irishguy]

Ill be building my own hives come jan/feb and also will be buying all my equipment but dont know exactly what ill need and how much it will be.

I want to use this thread for a checklist of what ill need before i collect my bees when the time comes.

I was thinking of using plywood for the hives but still in 2 minds going by a few things ive read online. Might just use pine instead and see how i get on with it.

Ill be hopefully starting of with 2-4 hives and want to get all the materials in at the end of jan and build the hives in the coming months so theyre ready for spring

I know ill need a suit (or2), a smoker,gloves. Mind is blank for now about what else ill need lol

 

[REDWOOD]

Ill be building my own hives come jan/feb and also will be buying all my equipment but dont know exactly what ill need and how much it will be.

I want to use this thread for a checklist of what ill need before i collect my bees when the time comes.

I was thinking of using plywood for the hives but still in 2 minds going by a few things ive read online. Might just use pine instead and see how i get on with it.

Ill be hopefully starting of with 2-4 hives and want to get all the materials in at the end of jan and build the hives in the coming months so theyre ready for spring

I know ill need a suit (or2), a smoker,gloves. Mind is blank for now about what else ill need lol

and a hive tool which is the most important item and then your about done for a beginner but if you want to go the full hog then a queen marking cage, marker pens, drawing pins, petroleum jelly, magnifying glass (eyes depending) torch, matchsticks for testing bee diseases only and old ice cream container for keeping old bits of comb.
You can make your own feeders but probably easier for a beginner to buy one

 

[VEG]

a tool box to keep all the bits and pieces in one place, and double the amount of hives that you think you will need I only wanted 2 hives lol.

 

[irishguy]

a tool box to keep all the bits and pieces in one place, and double the amount of hives that you think you will need I only wanted 2 hives lol.

How many have you now? I want as much as possible but will start of with 2 for now

 

[VEG]

trying to keep to 15 but cant see that happening lol

 

[irishguy]

and a hive tool which is the most important item and then your about done for a beginner but if you want to go the full hog then a queen marking cage, marker pens, drawing pins, petroleum jelly, magnifying glass (eyes depending) torch, matchsticks for testing bee diseases only and old ice cream container for keeping old bits of comb.
You can make your own feeders but probably easier for a beginner to buy one

 

[irishguy]

trying to keep to 15 but cant see that happening lol

Is there much work keeping the15 and how much honey you producing every year with that amount of hives

 

[VEG]

Not much more time keeping them to 5 hives but extracting is another story. Down about 15% this year at 840lb but not all hives producing as some splits

 

[REDWOOD]

Yes it can be heavy work but most enjoyable

 

[Swarm]

Be prepared to be very hot.

 

[irishguy]

Not much more time keeping them to 5 hives but extracting is another story. Down about 15% this year at 840lb but not all hives producing as some splits

Now this is what im interested in, lots and lots of honey! What is teh area like where you have th ehives.

 

[VEG]

no mono crops cattle and sheep farmland small village nearby, so just natural forage.

 

[irishguy]

no mono crops cattle and sheep farmland small village nearby, so just natural forage.

Sort of what its like where ill have mine. I built a house in the countryside and own a few acres(well, owe 1.25 but my father owns 2.5 right beside me) and theres plenty of foraging with hedges/wild flower etc..

 

[enrico]

Please irishguy, stick to max of two hives for a couple of years, get used to handling them, to do what they are asking of you, take it easy and slowly. Learn from experience, not panic. Enjoy keeping bees, if you go too fast too quickly there will be tears at bedtime!
Best of luck
E

 

[VEG]

Please irishguy, stick to max of two hives for a couple of years, get used to handling them, to do what they are asking of you, take it easy and slowly. Learn from experience, not panic. Enjoy keeping bees, if you go too fast too quickly there will be tears at bedtime!
Best of luck
E

Build up over a few years also to make sure there is enough forage in the area.

 

[irishguy]

Please irishguy, stick to max of two hives for a couple of years, get used to handling them, to do what they are asking of you, take it easy and slowly. Learn from experience, not panic. Enjoy keeping bees, if you go too fast too quickly there will be tears at bedtime!
Best of luck
E

Ive always been known to jump in the deep end and survive with a few hick-ups that is lol. If i was to get a decent price for 5 nucs of bee's, i woudl probably go with that many to start me off TBH because 1 or 2 does sound abit small for my liking.

 

[enrico]

Trust me.......this may seem an easy hobby. I have been doing it for thirty years, five hives to start with is too much. You will struggle to understand what is going on, you will have swarms coming out of your ears, you will run out of equipment, time and patience and jack it in by your third year! Learn to walk first. You would get into an artic to learn to drive. Stick to two max......at least for one year. Unless you can afford to waste money!
E

 

[irishguy]

Trust me.......this may seem an easy hobby. I have been doing it for thirty years, five hives to start with is too much. You will struggle to understand what is going on, you will have swarms coming out of your ears, you will run out of equipment, time and patience and jack it in by your third year! Learn to walk first. You would get into an artic to learn to drive. Stick to two max......at least for one year. Unless you can afford to waste money!
E

Dont think anyone can afford to lose money, esp in these times. I think i'll listen and stick to the 2.

 

[enrico]

You're a hero, keep in touch and let me know how you get on!
E

 

[Hivemaker.]

Dont think anyone can afford to lose money, esp in these times. I think i'll listen and stick to the 2.

I notice you were going to buy 25 hives of bees back in 2012, and make some hives. Best to get some experience first.

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=21763