How did newbies this year do around the uk

[8ace]

I Started beginning of May 8 frames of bees. Now have 2 colonies with 2 New queens of their own making but no honey. Was thinking of taking a bit off the brood and half hive but sealed honey is a bit scattered outer frames weren't sealed.

How did other UK single nuc newbies fair this year with the great summer we had?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Just to say....don't get disheartened.
This year was a bad year.
enrico has posted, " last year was his best in 30 years this year the worst"...........there is an awful lot of grey in between.
Right......not a newbie so I'll buzz off

 

[8ace]

Just to say....don't get disheartened.
This year was a bad year.
enrico has posted, " last year was his best in 30 years this year the worst"...........there is an awful lot of grey in between.
Right......not a newbie so I'll buzz off

Thanks for the advice considering the poor weather I don't think they did too bad. If I had United I would have got a super full off them so I don't feel let down. They've given me double the chance of getting them through winter and they'll hopefully have a good start for next year

 

[birdsandbees]

It's been interesting and had lots to take in, I collected a swarm in June which went into a top bar, they have superseded the original queen and are doing great except I'm a bit disheartened with the TB method after heavy combs coming away on three occasions! And it takes AGES to check them each weekend, they have good stores and a very good queen so are increasing numbers well ready for winter as apposed to decreasing in an established colony, I've not seen a single Veroa mite or evidence of them this colony which is good too.
I bought a Nuc of BF about a month or so ago which are headed by a 2014 queen which are very well natured and have been building up numbers and stores well, they have tried to supercede which I stopped the first time but are trying again so I will let them although the queen is still laying well enough I guess they know what they are doing and worse case is ill have to buy a queen in the spring if the new one isn't suitable.
I have also recently taken on a failing Nuc for one of my brothers, unfortunately he had left them alone far too long and they had dwindled down to virtually nothing so my advice of buying a new queen to replace his was perhaps wrong as he didn't have a queen at all only laying workers! He had a cup full of bees, many drones and no brood or stores, he'd filled up the feeder with syrup which was a massive attractant to wasps so they were pretty much doomed, he brought the Nuc, complete with new queen and all to my place which is around 8 miles away, I shook out the bees added two frames of brood and bees from my Nuc, after just over a week I have checked to discover no queen but a few queen cells and visible Veroa on the bees other frames!
I've asked for advice or opinion a few times on this forum and some do help but I must admit some do come across a bit high abrupt with their replies or comments as though I'm an idiot! Well maybe but I'm asking for a reason surely it would be more idiotic not to ask for help from experienced keepers?
Not sure if that's what you were after but basically it's been a steep learning curve but I'm looking forward to next year, some better weather and hopefully the prospect of some honey

 

[OursonAnglaise]

I'm not in the UK, but can I join in?

I collected my nuc on the 8th of May too. They toyed with with me in June when a couple of play cups were created, but the addition of a super seemed to give them enough space to prevent swarming.

We had a very early summer: it was very hot in April May and June, with most flowering trees to be complete by the middle of June. (Elderflower was complete by the start of May!) There was no rain for most of July so the nectar dried up a bit.

The first super was filled by the beginning of July and a second added and there was enough nectar coming in during July for the volume of capped honey to be maintained.

2 weeks ago we removed the one super and extracted 20lbs of honey...just enough to enjoy and share with close family and friends!

Being in the south of France, I wasn't sure if that would be the end or not, however we seem to have a second flow on (Himalayan Balsam, Japenese Knotweed...and ivy due to start flowering in the next couple of weeks), so I'm hoping for another 3-4 frames (if not a complete super) for extraction on top of what is in the brood box.

The weather here normally stays good until the end of the year, so I anticipate having to feed quite a bit during the autumn months.

Have loved every moment (apart from the 3 stings I have received), and I am really impressed with my bees ability to continue flying despite the asian hornets who have been hawking all summer (we have killed as many as possible, but it is impossible to mount a 24 hour guard lol). I'm looking forward to my second year - and am ready to increase to 2 hives!

 

[Matt77]

Very steep learning curve for me. Started with 3 nucs, had to perform 2 AS, mark 3 queens also had an AFB outbreak nearby so had a visit from the SBI & was luckily all clear. Also managed to harvest 10 pounds of honey which was nice surprise.

I've had some advice from here which has been spot on & a massive help. So thanks all for that too.

 

[8ace]

It's been interesting and had lots to take in, I collected a swarm in June which went into a top bar, they have superseded the original queen and are doing great except I'm a bit disheartened with the TB method after heavy combs coming away on three occasions! And it takes AGES to check them each weekend, they have good stores and a very good queen so are increasing numbers well ready for winter as apposed to decreasing in an established colony, I've not seen a single Veroa mite or evidence of them this colony which is good too.
I bought a Nuc of BF about a month or so ago which are headed by a 2014 queen which are very well natured and have been building up numbers and stores well, they have tried to supercede which I stopped the first time but are trying again so I will let them although the queen is still laying well enough I guess they know what they are doing and worse case is ill have to buy a queen in the spring if the new one isn't suitable.
I have also recently taken on a failing Nuc for one of my brothers, unfortunately he had left them alone far too long and they had dwindled down to virtually nothing so my advice of buying a new queen to replace his was perhaps wrong as he didn't have a queen at all only laying workers! He had a cup full of bees, many drones and no brood or stores, he'd filled up the feeder with syrup which was a massive attractant to wasps so they were pretty much doomed, he brought the Nuc, complete with new queen and all to my place which is around 8 miles away, I shook out the bees added two frames of brood and bees from my Nuc, after just over a week I have checked to discover no queen but a few queen cells and visible Veroa on the bees other frames!
I've asked for advice or opinion a few times on this forum and some do help but I must admit some do come across a bit high abrupt with their replies or comments as though I'm an idiot! Well maybe but I'm asking for a reason surely it would be more idiotic not to ask for help from experienced keepers?
Not sure if that's what you were after but basically it's been a steep learning curve but I'm looking forward to next year, some better weather and hopefully the prospect of some honey

Sounds like you've had a busy 1st year. I considered a tbh but found very little in the way of info running one in the UK so got put off. There are a number of "abrubpt" established beekeepers on here I have to completely agree with you on that. I read many posts and see it quite often. Also a few that seem to like to argue for the sake of it and have their minions to back them up. It's no different to most other forums in that way just don't give them fuel. (Any,that want to stir this comment up can go away in short jerky motions) would have been nice to have started with last year's weather but then I suppose we've gone in at a worst case scenario

 

[8ace]

I'm not in the UK, but can I join in !

Feel free be interesting to see how other countries do in their first year

 

[DerbyBee]

Started with a 6 Frame nuc in May and took two supers of honey off end of July. They have filled another super since then for their winter feed.

They have drawn out the brood box frames and 3 supers of frames. So overall I would say I had a good year.

 

[8ace]

Started with a 6 Frame nuc in May and took two supers of honey off end of July. They have filled another super since then for their winter feed.

They have drawn out the brood box frames and 3 supers of frames. So overall I would say I had a good year.

That's pretty impressive what bees are they ?
Q

 

[birdsandbees]

That's pretty impressive what bees are they ?
Q

 

[sbisme]

Started last July with a 6 frame Nuc, but not a good start within a week I found bees with DWV, treated with Apiguard and to cut a long story short they came through the winter ok, They built up a treat and by May I had to do an AS, I extracted 10lb of OSR honey. Still have two strong cononies in which between them I have extracted 50lb of honey, all in all a good first full year just need to get the preparations to get them through this winter and roll on next year.

 

[bpmurray]

Irelan has had it bad this year too. I ended last year with a two young colonies (I god about 6lbs of honey), and after a difficult spring, ended up with about 25lbs of honey and 3 hives - I went up to 4 at one point, but one just couldn't hack it.

I spoke to the owner of a local deli/artisan food shop this weekend and he can't get local honey for love or money - here's what the press are saying: http://www.independent.ie/opinion/a...-leaves-our-bees-on-their-knees-31488042.html

 

[DerbyBee]

That's pretty impressive what bees are they ?
Q

Buckfast bees. They are in an urban setting within a housing estate and allotments nearby so plenty for them to forage and I'm pretty sure to be the only beekeeper within the 3mile radius.

 

[BeeJayBee]

... I'm pretty sure to be the only beekeeper within the 3mile radius.

If you register with Beebase and enter the apiary location you will see how many registered apiaries are nearby.
http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/

 

[madasafish]

It's been interesting and had lots to take in, I collected a swarm in June which went into a top bar, they have superseded the original queen and are doing great except I'm a bit disheartened with the TB method after heavy combs coming away on three occasions! And it takes AGES to check them each weekend, they have good stores and a very good queen so are increasing numbers well ready for winter as apposed to decreasing in an established colony, I've not seen a single Veroa mite or evidence of them this colony which is good too.

I tend not to inspect my TBHs until the comb is about 3 months old. Always keep the comb vertical or it will break. (Older brood comb dark with pupae skins is much stronger).
I only inspect once every two weeks... A stand to hold frames helps.. I tend to inspect by sliding bars along the hive and looking without lifting when combs are new and fragile...

HTH.. any questions feel free to PM me.

I've made almost all mistakes that anyone can with a TBH.. Ensure bottom board is inserted and left on in winter...

 

[masterBK]

If you only inspect every two weeks how do you detect swarm preparations and control swarming?

 

[madasafish]

If you only inspect every two weeks how do you detect swarm preparations and control swarming?

I don't . I collect the swarms if I miss QCs.. In reality I have about 2 swarms a year from 4 TBHs..Collecting swarms is less hassle that an Artificial Swarm.

EDIT

I inspect my jumbo Langs weekly. Mainly by tipping the brood box on its edge and looking for QCs from underneath...

A lazy man's beekeeping.

 

[Jeff M]

I bought my first colony in May in a hive, but it turned out the hive was in bad order so took some weeks to sort out. After being advised to take a second colony I received a nuc at the end of May, which was a swarm collected by my association. I later put them in a hive and united a small swarm I collected myself.

I've just taken 20lb of honey from one super on my first hive. The bees are partway through filling a second super, whilst the swarm hive has started drawing out and filling a super. I expect to get probably at least another 10 lb from both hives before setting them down for winter.

I've learnt an awful lot in a very short time and have loved having the bees in my garden. I get to sit and watch them most days.

 

[birdsandbees]

I tend not to inspect my TBHs until the comb is about 3 months old. Always keep the comb vertical or it will break. (Older brood comb dark with pupae skins is much stronger).
I only inspect once every two weeks... A stand to hold frames helps.. I tend to inspect by sliding bars along the hive and looking without lifting when combs are new and fragile...

HTH.. any questions feel free to PM me.

I've made almost all mistakes that anyone can with a TBH.. Ensure bottom board is inserted and left on in winter...

It's been a fiddle and generally fine but having the comb split due to the weight is distressing to see, I am really careful with them always keeping the comb vertical but I guess when they have stuffed the comb with stores and Honey it can be too heavy, luckily, the one that split this weekend was one of the ones with a dowel outer frame so I was able to save it and wire it into place, a bit of leaked honey and a few larva lost but they should be able to repair and re attach it I hope, just need to fill the gap.
It's been a great teaching aid and has taught me to be careful when handling bees.
I've a bottom board on there which is on catches so I can close it up when the weather does turn cold.