Soon to be beekeeper in Shropshire

[Longslowbaker]

Hello all,
I have been intrigued by bees for a long time now but was never in a position to contemplate starting a hive.

Situation change and I now have the space and time (well more than before) to be able to do it.

I just finished an introduction to bee keeping crash course which "scary" and overwhelming but not enough to deter me

As I said I have no hives yet but I am reading as much as I can about the subject.

I hope to benefit from the knowledge of the members of this forum but can't promise I won't ask any silly questions.

 

[nightshade]

Hello!!..

It is indeed a scary business in which you can sometimes over think. .

A good mentor is necessary!!

 

[Curly green fingers]

Hi, fellow salopian
Your local beekeeping association would be a good port of call for starting out with local bee's to your area. Are you north Shropshire or south?

 

[Millet]

Hello!!..

It is indeed a scary business in which you can sometimes over think. .

A good mentor is necessary!!

Not necessary but helpful to many, i started out alone but this forum helped me better than one single person/Mentor, i have stories to tell about folk with mentors but i will let them go into cyber space.. lol

 

[MartinL]

I hope to benefit from the knowledge of the members of this forum but can't promise I won't ask any silly questions.

Don't worry about that!
It's the oddest ones that generate the best debate.

We've all been there and heard worse.

 

[enrico]

If you are in the knighton area there is a good little group of beekeepers I can put you in touch with.
Welcome to the site, ask away......
E

 

[Codford]

Welcome! I would strongly endorse the previous advice re' contacting your local Beekeeping Association. The only "silly questions" are the ones you should have asked - but didn't...!

 

[Longslowbaker]

Thanks all for the welcome!

I live in Market Drayton so would definitely like to link with some local beekeepers.

My next step is to join the Shropshire BKA.

I have ordered a hive and it should arrive soon. I will then need to assemble it and in between I will look for some practical training.

Exciting time

 

[Curly green fingers]

If you are in the knighton area there is a good little group of beekeepers I can put you in touch with.
Welcome to the site, ask away......
E

How many people don't you know enrico ! To many to count on one hand.

 

[Kenson]

Welcome. I think they have said it all...
1. Local BKA.
2. Have plan clearly in mind before opening hive and all tools/equipment laid out ready.
3. It shouldn't be scary, light smoker, put aside ready, if bees moody, use smoker, shut hive if still moody, have a think.
4. See something you're not sure of. Shut hive, have a cuppa and a think.
5. If still not sure, ask on here and local beeks.
6. There are no stupid questions, few stupid answers floating about.
7. There are very few things that need "instant action", almost everything can wait, probably for a week if needs be.
8. "Robbing", that needs instant action. There and then. Get it stopped.
9. It should be fun

 

[Longslowbaker]

Thanks Kenson. I am going to print your post and stick to the wall as a reminder.

I received my hive kit yesterday so should start assembling it soon but apparently not before I finish the greenhouse according to my wife

 

[john t]

welcome to the forum

one thing to remember , if you ask 10 beekeepers a question you could possibly get 10 different answers, which as can get quite confusing, just as well the bees are quite forgiving

best advise i could give you for your first inspection dont forget to wear wellingtons boots

 

[Longslowbaker]

welcome to the forum
best advise i could give you for your first inspection dont forget to wear wellingtons boots

Ok then here is my first "silly" question. The trousers...inside the boot or over the boot?

 

[john t]

bees will crawl into dark spaces , ie up a trouser leg and when they are all over the ground whilst you are doing your inspection you wont notice them crawling up your leg until it is too late , so tuck them down into your wellies

 

[Millet]

That depends on how mental the bees are that you keep, with my last aggressive lot i would always double up, i would tuck my trouser in my socks and then stick my wellies on followed by a pair of nylon over trousers with tight elastic around the ankles, i still managed to take a sting on the ankle but only ever once, with the gentle bees i have now i do not double up or wear wellies, i wear lightweight work trousers and slip on gardening shoes.

 

[Swarm]

Why would there bees all over the ground during an inspection? The ankles of bee suits are elasticated so over or inside doesn't matter.

 

[Millet]

Why would there bees all over the ground during an inspection? The ankles of bee suits are elasticated so over or inside doesn't matter.

A shook Swarm of coarse..

 

[john t]

Why would there bees all over the ground during an inspection? The ankles of bee suits are elasticated so over or inside doesn't matter.

im just thinking back to when i did my very first inspection and no one had told me that bees can crawl up into your clothing, be it a trouser leg or bee smock,i received 6 stings on my leg i learnt very quickly,
the colony was very strong and over crowded and as i lifted the first frame inevitably they poored out onto the floor,

 

[enrico]

I agree, bees crawl up, tuck everything into the layer below it.
E

 

[Swarm]

I agree, bees crawl up, tuck everything into the layer below it.
E

What about when they fall down your wellies?