Woodworking

Being the cheapskate who can't manage to save money...I bought a table saw and router so I can make my own hiveware and save money over buying pre-fab. Now if I make 2,357 hives I will break even compared to buying the hives outright.
My skill level is somewhere between knowing how to plug in the tool and losing a finger. As Z pointed out-- the material is cheap so it's a great way to learn.
I've already made a couple of frame jigs that enable me to glue and staple 10 frames in about 5 minutes. I made a nuc size box that I'm using as a swarm trap outside the apiary. (It even has dovetail joints! ) I also made a super-body for a top feeder.
Last night I started cutting boards to make two full-size deeps for the two hives. 2008-A seems to be on track that I'll need to add a deep in the next couple of weeks. Even though their foundation wasn't drawn out initially, 2008-B may not be far behind since they have the larger colony.

Opening 2008-A, second time

Ants remain a problem. I need to rethink the top feeders as it seems to give them very easy access.

Opened 2008-A this morning. Saw lots and lots of larvae--in all stages. Couldn't see any eggs and never saw the queen. Most of the capped larvae that was on the frames when I got them was still capped, thus they should be emerging over this week.

They're still building burr comb up between the top feeder. Maybe another reason why I should not use these feeders.

They've also drawn out more comb on the new frames that had comb last inspection but still nothing on the four frames that were untouched. Swapped one of those for a Hood Small Hive Beetle (SHB) trap with apple cider vinegar in the middle and mineral oil on the outsides.

Only saw one beetle and it was around the feeder.

Bees seemed to not react to the smoke as much as before, but were never what I would call aggressive.

About 30 feet in front of the hives are blooming holly trees. The trees are filled with wasps, bees and other pollinators. You can hear them buzzing well before you see them.

Also hung the nuc box/swarm trap today. Used a mixture of beeswax and lemongrass oil smeared on the lid. We'll see...

Another Tragedy?

This morning I found very large fire ants and very many of them going after the sugar syrup in 2008-A. I've noticed smaller ants since I started, but never this many and never this big. I think the new style feeder seals better, but we'll see.

In what may be the tragedy, I decided to spray some ant killer on the legs of the hive stand. I've never seen bees on the stand and never on the ground without good reason. Plus, I've seen where people recommend dripping Gardstar in front of hives and I know that's not good for the bees too.

We'll see when I get home...

Here we come to save the day

I got Z all suited up and we fixed the top feeder problem with 2008-B. As expected, the screen was not firmly attached and they were crawling straight in to the sugar water.

We replaced it with the new type feeder I bought yesterday.

I had thought about just leaving the broke feeder in the yard to allow the bees to return to the hive on their own, but since it was covered in sticky goodness and I didn't want a war between the hives I hosed it down and will fix and replace. Probably after I paint the wood that goes around it.

Between the drowning and hosing we lost less than 50 bees.

Z was a champ and I think it all went well.

First tragedy!

Just peeked in 2008-B's top feeder and there are bees all in the feeder. Drowned, drowning or holding on to the cover...and likely angry.

I don't want to remedy this now and I won't have time before work tomorrow.

Yikes.

2008-B Hiving My First Package

Road trip to Rossman's in Moultrie, Georgia with Jerry S. and Doug F. We picked up 5 packages, of which Nancy P. and I each got one.

We stopped at Nancy's and helped her hive hers and then Nancy met me at the house to photograph me hiving mine. (I often refer to the bees as "mine", but let it be known that Sweetie is just as much an owner but not as much of an enthusiast...yet.)

We called the in-laws and invited the crew over as Brother-In-Law was in town with family.

All went very well and I think Casely really enjoyed it...and, as you can see, even Abby the pup was interested.

(pictures by Nancy P. and Courtney K.)

Sting Counter: 2
Left forearm. While shaking the bees out of the package one lit on me and didn't care for the shaking. I didn't get the stinger out as fast as the first one and this one hurt and swelled a little more. My own little UCR Study in the making!

2008-A Opening for the first time

This was the first of what I hope are many hive inspections.

When I hived this nuc, there were 3 drawn frames. Today found that most of one side of 3 others was done. Didn't notice any larvae or eggs so I'm wondering if she's a laying queen yet. There was larvae on at least one of the three frames when I hived them, but I don't know if that necessarily came from her.

Unfortunately, I found 4 hive beetles all the way in the bottom of the hive. Killed 3 and dropped the fourth onto the ground and couldn't find it. I'll probably put out some Gardstar next weekend.

Borrowed Randy B.'s remote for the Nikon and it worked like a champ. I thought the pictures came out great!

Check it out!

This is the second day they've been bringing in pollen. Very cool to see. Makes me feel like I've accomplished something! (OK, they did all the work)

Day One!

Picked up a nuc, (short for nucleus, essentially half of a hive that has been split) from Elmore Herman at the Leon County Extension Office. Put it into one of my hives with no problem. A couple of them hit my veil, probably because it was so cloudy. 2 of the 5 frames were fresh foundation. Exciting!

More pictures here.

Sting Counter: 1
Right rear lower neck. While picking up the bees at the Extension office. There were lots of them flying around and one decided to crawl down my collar. Not very painful at all!