Jdmidwest Apiary Gets Bigger.

[jdmidwest]

After a 4 month wait, I picked them up today. 2 five frame cardboard boxes full of bees with an established laying queen for $130 a box.

Nice weather today, cool, cloudy, fog and rain. Not a good day for bees. I opened up the nuc and let them fly some, not many wanted out. But some came out, did the little circle orientation flight and checked out the neighborhood. And they were coming back in so the whole thing worked.

They seem to be friendly bees, they liked to sit on my finger and warm up. Several got chilled on their test flights and I helped them warm up.

Tomorrow, temps are supposed to be in the 60's and sunny, I will install them into the new hives. I will post some pics of that.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Doesn't sound like they will be happy campers come Monday.

[Mitch f]

JD, with all due respect.....you make awesome looking houses for your bees and then you mount them by gravity only on two planks held in place by cement blocks which are just sitting on the dirt?

[jdmidwest]

But I painted the 2x4's.

If it were permanent, I could pour some concrete. But the blocks are good heavy anchors. I have some pretty red ratchet straps to anchor them down in the wind.

The houses are nothing really special, just pretty wood. I have a good deal on cedar, it is cheaper than the pine and paint. The gable roof and stands are pieced together with some odds and ends.

Just wait and see what comes next. I have some real boards cut for some seriously nice stuff.

JD, with all due respect.....you make awesome looking houses for your bees and then you mount them by gravity only on two planks held in place by cement blocks which are just sitting on the dirt?

[jdmidwest]

Opened up the nucs today after the rain passed and the sun warmed things up. Wow, there are alot of bees in those little boxes. More in each of the little packages than was ever in the first hive.

I spent the rest of the day transfering them to the larger hives and working with them. It was pretty warm today and they were flying great. If the weather keeps up and does not turn dry, I will have some honey this year.