Confused newbie

[Beagle23]

It's a really good offer and one you should take up. An hour or two with an experienced beekeeper will teach you more than ten times that in the classroom.

One of the things you need to get to grips with is the language of beekeeping... if you know the right words it's much easier to communicate with other beekeepers when you need help .. a phone call to a mentor or a post on here that describes in beekeeperese what the problem is will usually generate some options .. but, again, you need to understand what is being said.

Good advice, although beekeeperese is all a matter of interpretation . It will come in time as will your ability to rely on instinct in beekeeping, which can get you a very long way.

 

[malgreen]

Thanks for good advice

 

[Wingy]

Re feisty comment well guess that may be normal as was getting buzzed by a few and never expected to see the volume flying around the hive.

If that was from a Nuc wait until you’re on double brood + 2-3 supers on a hot summers day during an inspection - then you will know what volume is.
Best thing is don’t rush, gain as much hands on experience as possible, have confidence and enjoy.

 

[enrico]

Re feisty comment well guess that may be normal as was getting buzzed by a few and never expected to see the volume flying around the hive.

If that was from a Nuc wait until you’re on double brood + 2-3 supers on a hot summers day during an inspection - then you will know what volume is.
Best thing is don’t rush, gain as much hands on experience as possible, have confidence and enjoy.

I was trying not to frighten malgreen too much! Hence the suggestion of looking through a hive with someone else.it is always worth finding out if you can stand so many flying bees before you spend loads of cash! Some can't!

 

[malgreen]

thanks wingy

 

[Wingy]

thanks wingy

Honestly it will be ok, if you have chosen nice calm bees they will be fine. Starting with the Nuc you will build up gradually as the colony expands.
When I got my first Nuc I was being shown the ropes by my mentor working with over 100 hives & nucs, queen rearing etc. The following summer my Nuc was double Langstroth brood & 3 supers. I only got stung about 5 times and I don’t wear gloves. Each sting was my own fault trapping bees as I picked up or rotated frames. There was the odd occasion when I opened the CB the bees didn’t want me there and they let me know 100’s of bees with backside in the air on the top frames. I just put the hive back together and came back the day after.
Hope I haven’t put you off but do take up enrico’s offer if you can.

 

[malgreen]

Thanks to all for previous advice, so yesterday a kind local beekeeper of some 40 years came and offered to go over the hives. It wasn't the best day with a moderate NE wind and around 12c. Hive1 and 2 had 6 & 5 frames of brood respectively. Must say how well behaved the bees were and not fazed at all. Being a newbie, had I inspected the hive on my own I would have been puffing more smoke out than the flying Scotsman. My mentor instead using 1 puff against the side of the hive which gently rolled up onto the top of the frames.
In relation to smokers what do you use. When I purchased my smoker I also got some of those cardboard cartridges but having used them I don't think they are particularly good and thought there must be something better out there ? And one more question having purchased a couple of more brood boxes in redwood pine what would you treat the outside wood with. I have some sandolin and also osmo in the shed and wondered if that was ok.

 

[Ian123]

Hay or old leaves in the smoker for me but then i have a free supply and yes sadolin for boxes is great, you dont say what type/range it is but in general they are excellent.

 

[enrico]

I have never treated my hives and they have lasted for years, the best thing for smokers is rotten wood broken into small pieces and lit with a blow torch. Last for hours!
Glad you got help, well done
E

 

[malgreen]

Thanks Ian

 

[malgreen]

Thanks Enrico

 

[malgreen]

thanks enrico