Swarming adventures with flow hive in France and lessons learned

[kazmcc]

That's not what I've heard.
Loss of commercial honeybees in the US since 2006: 40%
Loss of commercial honeybees in Europe since 1985: 25%
Loss of commercial honeybees in the UK since 2010: 45%

But even if it were "only" the wild bees who are in decline, more honey bee colonies are then needed to help compensate for that.

That comment saddens me. Smh.

 

[Finman]

That's not what I've heard.
Loss of commercial honeybees in the US since 2006: 40%
Loss of commercial honeybees in Europe since 1985: 25%
Loss of commercial honeybees in the UK since 2010: 45%

But even if it were "only" the wild bees who are in decline, more honey bee colonies are then needed to help compensate for that.

False data. From where you have got those?.
When you tell those that way, figures have no meaning.

Even if USA looses 40% hives every year, hive number has been same 8 disappearing years.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I think the Flow brought beekeeping to the public notice and at a stroke increased the numbers of new beekeepers. .

Really? we've been having a steady influx of new beekeepers for years. Thus far not one has mentioned the flo hive. Anyway, in this case i think we should be using the French - Naiive

A few in the UK but a lot in OZ Europe and the USA ...some areas which had been suffering from bee decline. .

Really again - I'd be grateful if you could share with us this published data you've found

I can't really understand why so many established beekeepers are so negative about the Flow. It clearly works

Maybe you could share your wide experience of this kit with us.

Anyway, this thread has got very little to do with the saniflo hive (although obviously the OP seems to be one of the 'just add water' beekeeping experts out to save mankind that the flo hive seems to have galvanised into action). It's to do with the fact that again we have someone who has dived in at the deep end with little or no knowledge and seems now to be preaching to us that they are going to 'save the bee' and is hell bent on ignoring any sensible advice proffered

 

[Tremyfro]

Really? we've been having a steady influx of new beekeepers for years. Thus far not one has mentioned the flo hive. Anyway, in this case i think we should be using the French - Naiive

Perhaps they daren't ...if you speak to them as you do on this forum....actually I was referring to a much wider world than a Welsh valley.
Really again - I'd be grateful if you could share with us this published data you've found

Did I say it was much published data?
Maybe you could share your wide experience of this kit with us.

I have no intention of sharing information about this harvesting tool ...it's all out there if you wish to look.
Anyway, this thread has got very little to do with the saniflo hive (although obviously the OP seems to be one of the 'just add water' beekeeping experts out to save mankind that the flo hive seems to have galvanised into action). It's to do with the fact that again we have someone who has dived in at the deep end with little or no knowledge and seems now to be preaching to us that they are going to 'save the bee' and is hell bent on ignoring any sensible advice proffered

Don't bother picking on me...I have been immunised. You must be feeling bored if you are back to nitpicking through my posts.
It is such a pity you feel the need to put people down and to demonstrate your vast knowledge wrapped in sarcasm as you clearly know a lot about beekeeping. I expect you must have been a very lucky chap when you started beekeeping...lots of help from local beekeepers, books courses...perhaps even a parent. Sadly in many parts of the world beekeepers live at great distances from each other so sometimes it is not possible to acquire the depth of knowledge you feel is necessary prior to keeping bees. I agree there are new beekeepers who are only now keeping bees because of the excitement about the Flow. If they continue to do so...that will be their opportunity to learn much more about bees. I'm not sure why you criticise the desire to learn...rather we should all applaud it.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I don't feel it necessary to have loads of knowledge to start keeping bees - just remember you are just starting and don't try and behave as if you know everything as at the moment you seem to be just fiddling with everything and telling everyone what they should be doing.

 

[Tremyfro]

I don't feel it necessary to have loads of knowledge to start keeping bees - just remember you are just starting and don't try and behave as if you know everything as at the moment you seem to be just fiddling with everything and telling everyone what they should be doing.

Luckily...I have a good memory.....I am aware of how long I have been beekeeping...but during that time I haven't been mean to anyone or ridiculed them or laughed at their lack of knowledge. You seem to equate knowledge with intelligence...a mistake.
I rarely tell anyone what to do...perhaps the kids...certainly not a stranger. Mostly I say what I am doing...if people choose to do the same...well that's up to them. It's called sharing. If you don't like my posts...there is a button.
I'm so glad I am not a pompous and grumpy beekeeper....perhaps you are unwell....I will take that into account.

 

[La Chassagne]

Well said, Tremyfro.

@jenkinsbrynmair - I'd rather you'd not bother to comment to my postings anymore as I am looking for constructive friendly advice.

In the meantime, here's another “little video” of an inspection we did at the hive before it swarmed.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMo8-24gx7E"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMo8-24gx7E[/ame]

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

@jenkinsbrynmair - I'd rather you'd not bother to comment to my postings anymore as I am looking for constructive friendly advice.

You seem only want to listen to advice that suits you anyway.
If you don't want people commenting on your posts......................
Don't post.

 

[bpmurray]

It's a sad day when beeks attack newbees because of their (typically uneducated) choices, and the flow hive seems to attract more venom than almost any other topic. On the Irish Beekeepers Facebook page, a woman who explicitly asked for help with her new Flowhive was attacked with such vitriol that I was forced to message her with the information she needed.

If someone is willing to try beekeeping, whether it's using Flowhives, Beehausen, Langstroths, Smiths, Warres, Nationals, whatever, they should be encouraged and, in particular, directed to their local BKA.

Personally, I would be concerned about a Flowhive with OSR and Ivy, but there's no doubt that the Flowhive publicity implies that the bees can look after themselves and that's a worry. That can only be counteracted with accurate information and support from the more experienced folk here.

Nastiness is not helpful.

@La Chassagne - two of the topics you need to read up on are

• The lifecycle of the bee, especially the times for building queen cells
• The Pagden swarm-control method

There are a few things you should also do as soon as possible:

1. ]Join your local beekeeping association and sign up for their beginners course
2. Get a copy of the Haynes Bee Manual and read it

 

[La Chassagne]

Cheers, bpmurray!

I am a member of our local beekeeper association, have been following their courses, read some books about beekeeping (not the Haynes Bee Manual, I'll be looking for that one!), have a neighboring beekeeper who I can turn to (there are several beekeepers in our rural neighborhood, actually), and have found useful information on internet, too.

Because for every two beekeepers, there usually are three opinions, I tend to ask questions I already know AN answer to, but I might get an alternative answer that makes more sense to me. That said, I am not a bee specialist and like to share my experiences (which I tend to document through videos) and get constructive, friendly comments.

(b.t.w. I have two "normal" hives additional to the hive with the flow frame-super).

 

[Tremyfro]

Well I'm really pleased that you have some help closer to hand.
I think most new beekeepers, at some time or another, suffer their baptism from JBM. It's almost a rite of passage.
Enjoy your summer of beekeeping...there are lots of helpful beekeepers here on the forum.....

 

[Swarm]

Just a second, read posts #2 and #3 again.
Post #2 was advice not sarcasm.
Post #3 displayed a lack of knowledge that would have been covered in any basic beekeeping book.
Post #13 makes a valid point and asks a pertinent question.
Post#15 is not very reassuring.
Post#17 same thing.
Now the OP is being arsey about replies? Let's forget your input for a moment which only served to make the OP even more arsey, good advice was ignored.
Husbandry of any kind brings responsibilty, therefore requiring a little research before diving in. As I said earlier, a basic beekeeping book.
If the OP has no grasp of the need for regular inspection during swarm season, then what if any research was done?

 

[REDWOOD]

Well said young man

 

[Finman]

.
When I started beekeeping, 3 first years were mere mess.
Then I met very good beekeeper, and he said at once to me, that burn those long hives and build langstroths.
.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Well I'm really pleased that you have some help closer to hand.
I think most new beekeepers, at some time or another, suffer their baptism from JBM. It's almost a rite of passage.
Enjoy your summer of beekeeping...there are lots of helpful beekeepers here on the forum.....

You seem to be blissfully unaware of the efforts JBM put into digging at least one new beekeeper out of a yawning chasm created by newbie ignorance and local experts with truly awful advice.

Let she who is without sin cast the first stone.

 

[BeeJayBee]

I am a member of our local beekeeper association, have been following their courses, read some books about beekeeping (not the Haynes Bee Manual, I'll be looking for that one!), have a neighboring beekeeper who I can turn to (there are several beekeepers in our rural neighborhood, actually), and have found useful information on internet, too.

Why, b.t.w., should I take out all the other queen cells? The queen first to emerge will take care of all other remaining queen cells, right?

Also, why is it imperative to check every 7 days? What could go wrong?

I'm assuming you're learning from French beekeepers, but I wouldn't have imagined the bees the other side of the Channel would be so different that their emerging queens will always kill all other queen cells and that 7 day inspections during the swarm season wasn't essential.

 

[Finman]

I'm assuming you're learning from French beekeepers, but I wouldn't have imagined the bees the other side of the Channel would be so different that their emerging queens will always kill all other queen cells and that 7 day inspections during the swarm season wasn't essential.

I wonder what you mean with that writing.

Emerging queens...

.

 

[Tremyfro]

You seem to be blissfully unaware of the efforts JBM put into digging at least one new beekeeper out of a yawning chasm created by newbie ignorance and local experts with truly awful advice.

Let she who is without sin cast the first stone.

I'm not unaware of his contribution at all and if you read my posts you will see that I frequently applaud his generosity in giving advice. However, he would be so much more effective if he controlled his ascerbic and unnecessary personal comments designed to belittle another beekeeper. I am not the only person who thinks this...but now I am immunised.....I find I can sift out the gems, of which there are many, and toss out the stones.
If quoting...the gender is incorrect.

 

[Motobiman]

Best to just to ignore the caustic wit of a certain poster.

it is fun to poke him occasionally though. . . . You know who you are. ;-)

 

[madasafish]

Best to just to ignore the caustic wit of a certain poster.

it is fun to poke him occasionally though. . . . You know who you are. ;-)

Hmm

we are not a porn site: don't lower the tone