Hi

[Alli]

Complete newbee to keeping bees so I hope I can find some usefull information here.
I have already contacted my local association about a beginners course and I think I may have missed the first few weeks ,just waiting on a follow up email.
Ordered a book ,self sufficiency beekeeping by Johanna Ryder and will get stuck into that .Been looking at National Hives and have located a supplier that can supply a complete beginners kit for £250 ..flat packed
Trying to budget with this as much as I can incase its not for me and assume the one hive will be all I will ever need as the Honey is for personal use .I could end up with more though if I like the hobby..
Edit
Anyone near by ,I am in Tyrone!!

 

[wessexmario]

Before buying any kit, if you haven't been hands on with a hive before then I'd recommend joining a session at your local association's apiary, diving into a hive with 20,000 or more bees the first time is a bit like skyjumping, you either love it or hate it (not that I've ever jumped out of a perfectly functioning aircraft myself).
Another question to ask is "Do you know what your reaction to bee stings is?" - for a small minority it can be a big problem with the local reaction and/or going into shock.
Once you know your reaction to both those questions then you'll find plenty of help and opinions both here and at your association.

 

[Alli]

Yea I think I need some correct tuition over the next few months
I can have the hive delivered and can get to assembling it in the mean time
Am I right in saying that the correct time I can add the bees is around May?
Just gonna take this in steps ,beginners course first..
That's why I asked was there anyone near by ..was even looking to acquire a good used hive if anyone was selling one
Not working so budget is on my agenda
Havent been stung since I was a wee lad and from memory I was not affected that much only to clean my runny nose from bawling and wipe away the ice cream my mum just bought me to keep me quiet...lol

 

[B+.]

Havent been stung since I was a wee lad and from memory I was not affected that much

Don't even think about getting bees until you know how you, and those around you, react to bee venom especially if you haven't had a sting for a while.

 

[Alli]

I guess I wont know that till I get them ,unless the local association can find that out for me.I thought that's what the clothing was for?

 

[Edwardking]

Welcome to beekeeping, welcome to the forum! The advice above is worth it's weight in gold - until you know how you'll react to 20,000 bees flying around you, or to a sting or two, you should suspend any investments.

 

[B+.]

I guess I wont know that till I get them ,unless the local association can find that out for me.I thought that's what the clothing was for?

I can't say this strongly enough: get some hands-on experience before you take on a colony of bees. If you have to delay it a year, do so....you will get much more from beekeeping if you have some confidence that a sting won't put you, or someone else, in hospital (or worse)

 

[Alli]

Then i will have a go at the beginners course first and as stated above get some hands on experience.Bees will not freak me out that I know and I guess getting stung is all part of keeping them.Is it still possible to be stung with the clothing?

 

[B+.]

Is it still possible to be stung with the clothing?

Yes. Bees can sting through a bee suit.

Oh...and don't be tempted to wear those horrible leather gloves they try to sell. wear nitrile gloves or, failing that, ordinary marigolds (washing up gloves).

 

[Bob D.]

Havent been stung since I was a wee lad and from memory I was not affected that much only to clean my runny nose from bawling and wipe away the ice cream my mum just bought me to keep me quiet...lol

I'm only a newbie, start the course this Saturday but have to say therin lies the risk.

This is simplististic, based on a few TV programs, but the big risk is that a previous event/sting has not only trained your immune system to handle the sting but has set it into overdrive. The next sting triggers an over reaction and you go into shock. Difficult to predict but dangerous, fortunately rare.

One of the books I've read clearly stated "if you are allergic to bee stings, beekeeping is probably not the hobby for you".

ps. Likewise I've not been stung since I was a lad, then it involved a football and a neighbours hive. Not a deliberate foul I hasten to add, but not planning on purchasing anything until I've lost my virginity again at least once.

 

[B+.]

I'm only a newbie, start the course this Saturday but have to say therin lies the risk.

This is simplististic, based on a few TV programs, but the big risk is that a previous event/sting has not only trained your immune system to handle the sting but has set it into overdrive. The next sting triggers an over reaction and you go into shock. Difficult to predict but dangerous, fortunately rare.

One of the books I've read clearly stated "if you are allergic to bee stings, beekeeping is probably not the hobby for you".

ps. Likewise I've not been stung since I was a lad, then it involved a football and a neighbours hive. Not a deliberate foul I hasten to add, but not planning on purchasing anything until I've lost my virginity again at least once.

Absolutely, it is a risk...but you are doing it in a controlled environment. Hopefully, those who are running the course will have some training in anaphylaxis and will know what to do in the event of an episode. They may even carry epipens just incase (as I do). You can help yourself by taking an anthistimine tablet before the course. The truth is that we are all at risk but we do it anyway.Life is full of risks.

 

[wessexmario]

I guess I wont know that till I get them ,unless the local association can find that out for me.I thought that's what the clothing was for?

yes, but both new and experienced beeks can omit to stick a bit of velcro down properly or pull a zip up completely... it's too easily (and often) done.

 

[Alli]

Thanks for all the advice guys.
I think I will get to reading and take a beginners course.I can put off getting a hive setup untill next season .I feel that's the best thing after what has been suggested

 

[Davelin]

Trying to budget with this as much as I can incase its not for me and assume the one hive will be all I will ever need

One hive will not be all you ever need.

It may get you through your first season, but in year two (and very possibly year one) you will need to do an artificial swarm which will require a second hive.

It is much more sensible to keep two hives anyway, as with one hive, if it dies out you are back to square one. With two hives you can use one to help the other when needed, and if one dies over winter you can usually split the other to get back up to strength.

Of course with two hives you may need to artificially swarm both of them, so you will need two spare hives; meaning actually you need four hives....

just saying!



I think delaying until you know exactly what it's all about is a wise move.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Davelin, B+... i have moved your posts to here if you wish to continue your debate on epipens, there are several threads already on this subject, many containing hundreds of posts, i chose this one, not really the place for it on the welcome forum.


http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?p=464323#post464323

 

[Alli]

One hive will not be all you ever need.

It may get you through your first season, but in year two (and very possibly year one) you will need to do an artificial swarm which will require a second hive.

It is much more sensible to keep two hives anyway, as with one hive, if it dies out you are back to square one. With two hives you can use one to help the other when needed, and if one dies over winter you can usually split the other to get back up to strength.

Of course with two hives you may need to artificially swarm both of them, so you will need two spare hives; meaning actually you need four hives....

just saying!



I think delaying until you know exactly what it's all about is a wise move.

Are hives supposed to be left outside over winter.I could set mine into a shead until winter passes or would this not work.I assume the bees hibernate and don't need to leave the nest over winter.Forgive the silly questions but that's how I learn.Why artificial swarming,whats the purpose?do the numbers get to much for one hive?..

 

[Davelin]

You need that course!!

No they don't hibernate, but they don't fly if it's too cold or too wet.
That doesn't mean to say you won't have bees flying in the middle of January.

Hives stay outside all the time.

You will find the reasons for artificial swarm on your course.

Also several good books you could read, my personal opinion is that 'Bees at the Bottom of the Garden' is a good introduction, although you will need more detail than this when you get going.

 

[B+.]

Are hives supposed to be left outside over winter.

Yes. Modern hives can be left outside all of the time (straw hves called "skeps" were used a long time ago and they needed shelter). In some countries (e.g. central/eastern europe) they do still keep colonies in vehicles (like a caravan) so they can be moved around as one food source is depleted and another flowers.

Honeybees don't hibernate in the same way as a tortoise or a bear. They cluster around the queen and, perhaps, a small patch of brood to keep them warm. They will occassionally leave the nest on warmer days to defecate. This time of year, colonies are starting to forage for food and you may see them flying to snowdrops, crocus, etc but there isn't a lot of plants in flower yet. They will be looking for pollen which they consume as protein and nectar (carbohydrate) for energy.

You won't need to worry about artificial swarms quite yet. They are a technique that beekeepers sometimes use to rehome some/all of the bees in another hive. At this time of year, the population of a colony is at its minimum but, at the height of the season, there will be several tens-of-thousands (I am being deliberately vague on numbers because a lot depends on the fertility of the queen and the type of hive you use).

Davelin is right. Have patience. You will learn all of these things (and a lot more) on your beginners course.

Good luck.