Bees

[pineywoods]

I got 3 hives of bees last Monday and opened the hives today to check on them. I tried to get some pics of the frames inside the hives but they didn't come out so I'll try again when I open them again. I had to add a super to one hive as soon as I got it home as they were already working 8 of the 10 frames and today had to add a super to another hive.

For people that have been here here's where the hives are located that's the greenhouse on the right

 

[thoseguys26]

Cool. We just got our first queen a month ago. We had to add a super right away after the first week. It's our first hive so we've learned sooo much so far and it's pretty exciting.

Is this your first time? I'll have to keep you in contact in case we have any questions. We decided to build all of our trays by hand (with real wax, not plastic combs) since my GF's dad used to do it when he was younger and wanted us to 'experience' the work :) It's been fun so far and our peach, plum and the rest of our flowers are sure much much happier now.

What do you do about the drones? From my understanding they are pretty much worthless, besides mating with the queen, and you should clean out their larva when you see it. Supposedly their larva sticks out further then the females so you can just scrape each one out? Let me know your thoughts.

We have to let them build two supers and then on top of that is our supply because the winters are tough here.

 

[diggingdogfarm]

Gotta love bees!!!!
My first job was working for a commercial beekeeper/honey packer due to my fascination with bees!
Hard to believe that was 30 years ago, still have them to this day.




~Martin

 

[thoseguys26]

Alright! DiggingDogFarm, you've been added to my contact list. I hear the bee world is worse (in a good way) then any beer making, bbq'ing world out there, meaning, "each to their own". Some say leave em be, others, open the up at noon each day cause you can train them like a dog.. Either or, I'm a rookie but I am extremely amazed by the little creature's and what they accompolish in their short life. What do you all do with the honey? Just curious.  Awesome thread, I'll be watching!

 

[roller]

I am waiting on my first hive from a friend. How many hives are you going to keep?

 

[pineywoods]

These are my first hives and I'm not sure how many I'll have in the future it depends on how these go

 

[oldschoolbbq]

Piney , are you going to sell the Honey? I have been looking for some "Citrus Blossom" Honey.

PM me and good luck with those little beauties...

 

[alblancher]

Nice job on the hive Piney,  so you decided to go with medium supers?  

I have both wood & wire and plastic frames.  The plastic frames sure seem to be a lot easier.   I built a wax melter last weekend.  I think I spend $ 3.50 on a 1x4 I had to go buy.  Everything else was scrap as you'll be able to tell from the pics!

Good luck and congrats on the bees.  I harvested 13 1/2 pints last week from my one hive,  looking to harvest again in a couple of more days

 

[baja traveler]

We have one hive in our back yard. I've never done anything to the hive other than collect honey once or twice a year, so the colony just takes care of itself. Being in San Diego, we have mild winters - or no winter some would say, so no need to feed them during winter months. Our hive is due for a harvest right now, so I'll probably be busy one day over the Memorial Day weekend coming up. I'll try to take some pictures.

I typically get 6-8 quarts of honey out of it every year, some years are better than others as with all things. I cook with honey alot, the wife goes through tons of it in her tea and on toast. I'm always attracted to the recipes here that include honey in the ingredients.

One thing I need to make one of these days is a frame spinner to extract the honey, but I don't have alot of space to store it just to use once or twice a year... We'll see - it would make everything so much easier.

 

[thoseguys26]

I've heard a lot of people rent extractors? Does anyone have any plans they would share for homemade extractors?

I've seen some youtube videos of people using a power drill inside a clean 50 gal plastic drum. 

 

[diggingdogfarm]

What do you all do with the honey? Just curious. 

For many years i sold honey, I had around 100 hives for several years.
I only keep a few hives here at home and give much of the honey away because I'm a diabetic now.....I still do make some dry mead however.


If you get to the point where you have a lot to sell, I have some secrets to moving a lot of honey at a premium price.
Well, not really secrets, although I see very few others doing it, it's really just common sense! :biggrin:




~Martin

 

[pineywoods]

Piney , are you going to sell the Honey? I have been looking for some "Citrus Blossom" Honey.

PM me and good luck with those little beauties...

Stan it's going to be awhile before my bees are on citrus trees but when they are I'll make sure you get a jar. More than likely it'll be next year tho

 

[alblancher]

I have pdf files of home made extractors.  I also have a link to an inexensive two frame extractor I was able to afford.  I'll try and pm to anyone that wants them tonight.  Don't want to steal Piney's tread.

 

[BGKYSmoker]

YIKES

I wanna do the bee dance just looking at the pics.

 

[whittling chip]

Great job and good luck. I see a lot of the hives but have never seen one laid out to be built. That would really be fun to make.

Many of my clients are in the citrus industry here in Central Florida. I really love the smell of the orange blossoms in the groves and the hives associated with them.

Hives are set up on hundred of acres of citrus in specific locations. They want the bees to do their job pollinating the trees. Many of my growers have specialty fruits, lemons, limes, grapefruit, etc. The mix of the pollen from the different varies really give the honey a very complex flavor. If you compare store bought versus straight from the grove you'll know what I mean.

The growers also plant wild mustard down the rows and last month they were blooming bright yellow flowers all over the orchard. This keeps the hives busy until the citrus starts blooming.

Not to steal a thread but for oldschool, here is the link to one of my business associates. They can hook you up with some of the best orange blossom honey around!

http://www.ceebeescitrus.com/category/60/honey.aspx

Thanks for posting,

WC

 

[pineywoods]

I have pdf files of home made extractors.  I also have a link to an inexensive two frame extractor I was able to afford.  I'll try and pm to anyone that wants them tonight.  Don't want to steal Piney's tread.

Post them in here Al I'm sure several people would be interested and this isn't really "my" thread I just started it we can all share

 

[baja traveler]

Here is a link to a cheap extractor plan using bicycle rims and a 55 gallon barrel. I think I'll build one of these this weekend. There is a local source for food grade 55 gallon drums for $35, so I'll pick one up this week.

http://www.voiceofthehive.com/VotH/15_1_Voice_of_the_Hive-Roll_Your_own_Extractor.htm

 

[alblancher]

I'll look to see if I can find more
https://statich.smokingmeatforums.com/1/15/1592ba56_4frameextractorplans.pdf
Check Dadant for an inexpensive 2 frame extractor

 

[roller]

This is what I like to see. Everyone sharing info on the same thread. No clame jumping here. Great job and I can use this info. Thanks.

 

[alblancher]

I harvested another 13 pints this weekend from my single remaining hive.  There is still about a pint in the extractor.  That makes for 27 1/2 pints and I hope to make another harvest in a couple of weeks if the nectar flow continues.  

7 quarts  I guess that is about right.

I ordered some 6 oz plastic bear jars and lables.  Make a bunch of shortbread cookies, a little ribbon and I have Christmas gifts for the wife's co-workers