sgeek
New Bee
- Joined
- May 18, 2012
- Messages
- 15
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Hampshire
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 1
I obtained a 5 frame Nuc 10 days ago. Queen present along with what appeared to be a healthy amount of bees. 2 frame of brood. some capped some still open with healthy looking larvae present. Have not seen any eggs yet. I have taken the point from my practicals on newbie course that my glasses no longer cut the mustard and have had eyes tested and new glasses ready
.
Brood frames had what I can only describe as a textbook look to them for brood arrangement, colour and position of food around outer edge of frame.
1 frame of comb being drawn, 1 frame of stores, 1 frame of foundation
On returning to apiary opened Nuc and bees promptly poured out, crapped all over my hand and quickly settled into what I again would describe as textbook orientation flying.
Transferred bees to my National the following day on advice of provider and mentor. Bees did not seem unduly concerned or worried by my efforts. My shiny smoker seemed to be redundant. Did not see queen. Cursory look only as I wanted to get them into the new hive and settled as soon as possible.
With the pants weather I was advised to 'pamper' them a bit and put 1:1 mixture in to give them something to work with while waiting for the weather to improve. A quick in, replenish feeder and lid back on hive as it was around 1930 and the evening a bit cooler. I did this last Wednesday. I feel with stores available already and this feed they did not need checking for another 7 days. Don't want to harrass them when they are still getting used to the neighbourhood. Just out of interest do any of you think I should have gone back sooner? Obviously a bit late now but interested in the experienced opinions.
Have wandered down every other day( weather dependent) and had a note of activity in/out and they seem to be doing as they should with plenty of activity. (hah, as if I am experienced enough to know yet
). No sign of wasps or such like.
Intend to do a more thorough check Wednesday evening (weather dependent). First full check and in a case of classic planning mentor on holiday and more experienced friend potentially to ill to assist. However thanks to my course I do feel confident enough to give it a go (thanks Mike)
Know I should have a plan. So here it is (items in no particular order):
1. starting at frame 1 -
check for queen
visible increase/decrease in size of bees present
note the demeanour of the bees, so far placid and quiet.
Check for food stocks (if concerned feed with mixture brought with me)
check for brood state
check for eggs
check for drawn comb
look for QC
Notes to be taken as soon as the lid is back on before my failing memory strikes again. Objective is to be in and out as quickly and as smoothly as possible to avoid disturbing them too much. Queen is not yet marked as I intend to get experienced hands in place to guide me through that particular minefield first time round.
I have trawled books and notes from course and think I have my list about right. Can anyone suggest something I may have missed or should consider?
Being a Noob at this game and cautious by nature I thought I would double check if there might be something I had missed or something else I should consider.
Any thoughts gratefully received.
(have also read forum sticky on having a thick skin, so before anyone askes I have done a search for as many keywords as I can and cannot find the particular combination of answers I am looking for)![Big grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Brood frames had what I can only describe as a textbook look to them for brood arrangement, colour and position of food around outer edge of frame.
1 frame of comb being drawn, 1 frame of stores, 1 frame of foundation
On returning to apiary opened Nuc and bees promptly poured out, crapped all over my hand and quickly settled into what I again would describe as textbook orientation flying.
Transferred bees to my National the following day on advice of provider and mentor. Bees did not seem unduly concerned or worried by my efforts. My shiny smoker seemed to be redundant. Did not see queen. Cursory look only as I wanted to get them into the new hive and settled as soon as possible.
With the pants weather I was advised to 'pamper' them a bit and put 1:1 mixture in to give them something to work with while waiting for the weather to improve. A quick in, replenish feeder and lid back on hive as it was around 1930 and the evening a bit cooler. I did this last Wednesday. I feel with stores available already and this feed they did not need checking for another 7 days. Don't want to harrass them when they are still getting used to the neighbourhood. Just out of interest do any of you think I should have gone back sooner? Obviously a bit late now but interested in the experienced opinions.
Have wandered down every other day( weather dependent) and had a note of activity in/out and they seem to be doing as they should with plenty of activity. (hah, as if I am experienced enough to know yet
Intend to do a more thorough check Wednesday evening (weather dependent). First full check and in a case of classic planning mentor on holiday and more experienced friend potentially to ill to assist. However thanks to my course I do feel confident enough to give it a go (thanks Mike)
Know I should have a plan. So here it is (items in no particular order):
1. starting at frame 1 -
check for queen
visible increase/decrease in size of bees present
note the demeanour of the bees, so far placid and quiet.
Check for food stocks (if concerned feed with mixture brought with me)
check for brood state
check for eggs
check for drawn comb
look for QC
Notes to be taken as soon as the lid is back on before my failing memory strikes again. Objective is to be in and out as quickly and as smoothly as possible to avoid disturbing them too much. Queen is not yet marked as I intend to get experienced hands in place to guide me through that particular minefield first time round.
I have trawled books and notes from course and think I have my list about right. Can anyone suggest something I may have missed or should consider?
Being a Noob at this game and cautious by nature I thought I would double check if there might be something I had missed or something else I should consider.
Any thoughts gratefully received.
(have also read forum sticky on having a thick skin, so before anyone askes I have done a search for as many keywords as I can and cannot find the particular combination of answers I am looking for)