I know this is the wrong time of the year for starting a hive, but I aquired a hive this week and really need to talk to someone. With winter coming I want to make sure I am doing things right. Mainly on adding another frame and feeding.
So your daytime temperature is about 23 degrees in Oklahoma at present ... dropping to 10 degrees overnight .. still quite warm. It sounds like you will probably have a Langstroth hive but you really need to know what is in the brood box.. how many frames are drawn, is there any sign of eggs/larvae/capped brood ... how many frames of stores are there and that's without getting into the health of the colony.It's a established hive and it only has one layer. I am from Oklahoma USA. I was told these bees was a captured swarm from another personal hive. I was told I have to add another box before I start feeding, but some reason that makes no sense to me. There is eleven frames in the box, I honestly have not open it up yet to check everything inside. It's definitely a very active hive so far. And honestly not sure what the best amount of sugar water to start feeding.
I am a beginner, but have found that if I take photos and post them, the more experienced beekeepers are able to help more.I have no experience. Was going to association meetings but with the covid it has been cancelled till next year. The gentleman I aquired it from said the hive is a year old. He needed money so bought it off him cheap, but was honestly looking just to get a box, but got a box and bees. Planning on opening it up tomorrow but not sure what I will be looking at.
I have no experience. Was going to association meetings but with the covid it has been cancelled till next year. The gentleman I aquired it from said the hive is a year old. He needed money so bought it off him cheap, but was honestly looking just to get a box, but got a box and bees. Planning on opening it up tomorrow but not sure what I will be looking at.
As with so much - it's a balance of risks. Getting/Spreading covid Vs Some/Better/Best support. Very personal decision. This forum has been a lifeline for the bees kept by those of us at the more isolating end of the covid response.Maybe best to contact your local Association to see if there is a local beek who can offer /help out. Even with covid the pair of you should be able to maintain segregation to protect each other.
This time of year you should be feeding heavy syrup - 2:1 which is 2 pounds of sugar to one pint of water which roughly equates to 2 kg sugar in 1.25 l of waterYour feeding question: this time of year 1:1 syrup or fondant. If is still fairly warm were you are, probably the syrup for now - but you do need to open up to know they have somewhere to store it.
I think I'm right to say it's 1:1 sugar:water by weight but I don't think the proportions are super critical.
Seems the most useful comment so far.All I know about overwintering bees in the US is it varies hugely.
It is unlikely anyone here will have the knowledge to help you.
Try the US Forum Beesource Beekeeping Forums
Unfortunately, in the USA he's got a language problem with Hooper ... to be honest he's probably going to be better off with Beekeeping for Dummies ... written for the USA market ..Get a book - best imo is 'Guide to bees and Honey' by Ted Hooper MBE. Amazon best site to get it from. Has everything a new beek will need to know and is great to dip into as the need arises.
Enter your email address to join: