For second year beeks

[drstitson]

precisely. the need to surrupticiously "rent" space in neighbours', friends' and relatives' sheds/garages for autumn/winter deliveries.

shame no-one has yet come up with a "cloud beekeeping" system - where sales purchases are "loaded" into the "cloud" ready for "download" as needed in the apiary.

 

[madasafish]

"Uh-oh.......

not so much in terms of bee husbandry but every year will get harder from an OH POV as your colonies increase exponentially with corresponding need for gear from the sales, bigger extractor etc etc.

Home made honey press, home made hives from scrap pallets.. not much else needed.. minimal expense beekeeping.

(Just to ensure no-one is under any illusions: I was educated in Aberdeen and the proverbial thrift of Aberdonians has never worn off

 

[Cazza]

precisely. the need to surrupticiously "rent" space in neighbours', friends' and relatives' sheds/garages for autumn/winter deliveries.

shame no-one has yet come up with a "cloud beekeeping" system - where sales purchases are "loaded" into the "cloud" ready for "download" as needed in the apiary.

Ah, I get it now. in our house, OH gets no chance to have a POV with regards to my bees. My bees, my shed, my expense. (well, he may have a POV but he keeps it to himself!)
Cazza

 

[Blue Spinnaker]

Ah, I get it now. in our house, OH gets no chance to have a POV with regards to my bees. My bees, my shed, my expense. (well, he may have a POV but he keeps it to himself!)
Cazza

 

[Firefly]

"Uh-oh. Just congratulating myself over getting over the second year. Bet someone comes up next year with "ah well, the 2nd and 3rd years are tricky, but the worst is the fourth!""

and so on and so on.

It does seem a bit like having children. Based on that experience, when you get to yr 25 it's pretty much plain sailing

 

[Robbie & Jans Bees]

2nd year

This is my 2nd year we checked the hives last Sat both queens sited on about 7 brood i just wondered should our checks be done on a smaller rotation than 7 days to avoid swarming? help and advice needed

 

[CB008]

This is my 2nd year we checked the hives last Sat both queens sited on about 7 brood i just wondered should our checks be done on a smaller rotation than 7 days to avoid swarming? help and advice needed

Opening up too frequently, IMO, causes distress and a lessening of the Queen Pheremone. 7 days is enough to anticipate and deal with swarming. Sometimes you need to open up more often but not ususally

 

[Foxylad]

When i first started out, my mentor only opened up every 10 days.

 

[enrico]

10 days can be too long. In the 'old days' we used to work on 10 days but we just used to rip out any queen cells. Artificial swarms were rarely done. The idea was never to allow a queen cell to hatch. There are many reasons why this doesn't work so stick to seven days and you won't go far wrong. Remember, only open for a purpose and have a good idea of what you are going to do to achieve that purpose. It is a good idea to have a wheelie bin near your hives with spares of everything in, supers, frames, crown boards, floors etc. it saves a long walk back to the house or car! It's mouse, water and bee proof!
E

 

[drstitson]

another reason to clip - allows the hive to be undisturbed for 10-12 days instead of the 5-7 necessary to ensure not caught out by swarms in high season.

presumably those with experience who can accurately "read" the "maturity" status of the brood nest have the luxury of leaving for 7+ days whilst the inexperienced may need the 5 day window.

 

[drstitson]

"It is a good idea to have a wheelie bin near your hives with spares of everything in, supers, frames, crown boards, floors etc."

or on the stands next to occupied hives or stacked on top of the hives.