What have you learnt this year?

[TryingToLetThemBee]

...
... don't be fooled into thinking that I can keep bees in my suburban garden
... .

Yikes! Why?

 

[Queens59]

Stop listening to others about 'my' bees...and feel what I know about 'my' bees.

Any probs. I had were because I listened to what others/books said 'should' be happening/doing ...SO next year I will go with what I FEEL...

 

[einsteinagogo]

"always have a smoker to hand - just in case the girls are having a bad hair day!"

I still have the scares!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I learned that :much as enjoy watching my bees close up i should not do it in a long skirt

 

[Cazza]

Stop listening to others about 'my' bees...and feel what I know about 'my' bees.

Any probs. I had were because I listened to what others/books said 'should' be happening/doing ...SO next year I will go with what I FEEL...

That can be so true. Peer pressure and all that. The longer you keep bees, the more you rely on your gut instinct.
Cazza

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Always have an empty hive with foundation in ready for the next swarm you catch.

 

[itma]

A water mister can sometimes (when it matters) be more effective than a smoker.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

I am almost blind in important respects, like seeing queens and small larvae (EGGS? bees have EGGS??), but you learn to cope.

 

[SixFooter]

1) Water proof Plywood isn't ! WBP name is tosh.
However, sealing ends with hot wax/linseed oil mix makes them last a lot longer.

2) When collecting a swarm, make sure the closer on swarm box is not loose so that the weight of bees wont close it and make the bees frantic!
a. dont go home until all the bees have gone in the box!

3) Smoke from the top but only when necessary. I think I can now tell when I need smoke. Using it willy nilly and smoking through the floor before starting an inspection is wrong. Well at least it is for me and the bees I have.

4) My search for the perfect smoker is over! a Big Rauchboy is the only one for me.

 

[Margaret Elisabeth]

Not to put full honey frames in a poly nuc. (They have a mesh floor).

 

[Nige.Coll]

I've learned bees don't like cordless drills or you screwing things to their hive or stand.
Even when you are providing them with a nice landing board.

 

[enrico]

Check you hat and veil before you put it on, it's no good trapping a bee INSIDE it as it will only sting you in the ear, yesterday I forgot to check, today I have a sore ear.
Ouch!

 

[whoosling]

I agree wholeheartedly!!!! :

Year two is far more challenging than year one.


Dusty

and you always need some new equipment!

 

[Luminos]

Check you hat and veil before you put it on, it's no good trapping a bee INSIDE it as it will only sting you in the ear, yesterday I forgot to check, today I have a sore ear.
Ouch!

A sore ear is probably better than a sore rear, lol

 

[wood blewit]

i never used queen excluders this year an i aint gonna use em again except when feeding sugar syrup

 

[Swarm]

i never used queen excluders this year an i aint gonna use em again except when feeding sugar syrup

How did you find it?
Obviously you are happy with your experience.

 

[Roola]

I've also learnt there are some really nice people on this forum.

 

[enrico]

Ahhhh!

 

[pargyle]

Several things ....

The bees know what they are doing ... the more you interfere with what they are doing the less likely they are to do what you want them to do.

Clear crownboards are ESSENTIAL.

Whatever you do with bees or beehives there is always someone who has done it before and has several good reasons why it won't work and someone else who says it will ...

The more you know about bees, the less you understand (with apologies to the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu)

 

[REDWOOD]

I've learned bees don't like cordless drills or you screwing things to their hive or stand.
Even when you are providing them with a nice landing board.

Vibration