New Bee here 🐝

[Debido]

Hi everyone
I’m Dee based in the north east of England.
I’ve been beekeeping for 3 years now, after completing a course with my local BBKA.
I have 6 hives…. Yep only wanted two !
I’ve made so many mistakes, some days I open the hive and feel like it’s day one but I love these little girlies, they are most fascinating to watch.
I thanks for letting me join, I love forward to reading posts from more seasoned keepers

 

[Erichalfbee]

I have 6 hives…. Yep only wanted two !

Story of my beekeeping life!
Welcome. Stick around, this is the best beekeeping site on the planet.
How is your season so far?

 

[Debido]

Story of my beekeeping life!
Welcome. Stick around, this is the best beekeeping site on the planet.
How is your season so far?

I’ve had a good year, I took nothing the first year, it was a little over whelming so I just concentrated on learning and getting them through winter.
Last year I got around 20 jars but this year even with poor weather Im up to 50 jars.
I’ve only lost one colony however the art of swarm control is one I’d like to master.
I’ve attached a few photos, this years honey and the mess I’m scratching my head on what to next, yep a swarm moved in
How long have you been beekeeping ?

 

[Erichalfbee]

15 years.....still feels like 2 sometimes

Try putting a brood box with foundation on top of all that wild comb (scrape the lid and eat the honey)
Hopefully the bees will move up for the winter. What's in the frames underneath? Can you move those up, maybe using some sort of eke with an entrance?

 

[Debido]

15 years.....still feels like 2 sometimes

Try putting a brood box with foundation on top of all that wild comb (scrape the lid and eat the honey)
Hopefully the bees will move up for the winter. What's in the frames underneath? Can you move those up, maybe using some sort of eke with an entrance?

 

[Debido]

I’d put that hive Into storage to clean, it’s a battered old thing, one my mentor gave me to start out, the colony in there was just so lovely but died over winter so it’s sentimental.
Anyway I went to clean and found the swarm had taken over,
I’ve scrapped the roof and put a clear crown board on.
I’ve just bought an Abel’s poly so hopefully the next nice day I’m going to try and transfer, I don’t really want to disturb the comb they’ve built as it’s beautiful, underneath is frames, all mine are 14x12
I’ve had advice to put the comb to frames but honestly just so clumsy

 

[enrico]

Hi, welcome. I started in 1980.still going..... Plenty to read on here

 

[madasafish]

 

[Erichalfbee]

I’ve had advice to put the comb to frames but honestly just so clumsy

Yes you can do that but it’s so messy
If you’re not in a hurry I’m sure you can move them up before winter.

 

[BeeAdmin]

Welcome to the forum!