A beekeeping topic.

[fshndoug]

Just remember eat your honey, a million bears can't be wrong.

[jdmidwest]

Took off early yesterday to work my.  Weather was too nice and I knew they needed it.

Went into winter with 5 hives and had one die out,  not sure what happened, but dead and robbed.  It was healthy and full going into winter.  I had went thru it a week ago one afternoon and salvaged the good comb.

Started on my weak hive from last year.  It overwintered in 2021, but was queenless in April and dying.  I requeened it and nursed it along all summer.  It never took off and did much.  But it survived the winter and had about enough bees to get going again.  Cleaned it up and gave it some feed.

The next one was the one I bought last spring.  It was full, crowded and full of bees.  So many that they had been finding any open space to add more comb and drone brood.  Cut out alot of crap they had done and killed alot of useless drones.  Gave them a new box to play with and put them to work, gonna split in next few weeks into new hives.  If they don't swarm first.

The other 2 were swarms last year and they were going fine.  One strong and full, put a honey super on it and let them start filling.  It will probably get split too.  The other just got a cleaning.  It was still brooding up.

Opened up some boxes and made them swarm traps.  Noticed scouts looking at one this afternoon.  I need a couple more hives for myself and need to make one for a buddies son.  He wants to start keeping bees. 

I am thinking at this point and time 6-8 hives max for me.  More than enough to play with until I retire.

 

[BilletHead]

            Good report JD thanks for adding. 

  I got into everything Sunday afternoon.  I did lose one of my hives. The last Layens that was occupied. Not sure what happened. The queen had been laying and had brood. This hive had some crazy bees that glued everything up pretty tight and even closed down the entrance to one small hole that allowed for one bee passage. When I quit seeing movement at entrance, I looked in. Found the queen dead with two bees with her. Nothing alive in hive and bees dead on the bottom. They had plenty of stores as a matter of a fact I spun the frames and netted two gallons of honey. 

   Remaining hive report. The two original long Langsdorf are doing well with lots of brood and eggs. Still bookoos honey stores left from winter but don't want to slip any out until a real honey flow starts. I do not want to be a mistake maker. Too new at this hobby. So now to two of the over wintered standard Langsdorf hives. Just single deep. One is pretty weak but queen laying and brood. Only two frames of bees. Plenty for them to eat in there still. Next one stronger three or four frames of bees and laying queen and brood there.  The third standard was the strong one I had transferred to the new long lang. This new hive is going crazy, and I mean crazy. Never in my life have I seen a brood frame with a pattern like this.

I would love to split this hive and retain the genetics, but I am chicken. Again, afraid to make a newbie mistake. I hope if it swarms, I will be here to catch them and introduce into an empty hive. I wish I knew where I had caught this swarm last year. I am keeping better notes where I catch and which hive, they are going into. I have I think 8 swarm traps out where I caught last season. So far not a scout of sniff when I check every couple of weeks. I know I got them out way early but am excited.  Like you all my empty hives are set up for swarm traps just in case. One is attracting red wasps. I get in and kill them daily. Today there were five in it. JD you will probably see swarming before me and if you see signs let me know please.

  Honey, I spun out from empty hive. The frames were hung down in yard for the bees to clean up.  I let the bees draw comb with no foundation in the layens frames. When I extracted it did crack the comb and I had a couple blowouts of comb. Learned my lesson. They will still draw natural comb but now I have wired up below the starter strips. They now look good, and I will attach picture later of my job on those.  

[jdmidwest]

I see signs of it already. Look at all the drone comb on lower left of that frame.  That looks like a queen cell attempt on lower left.

Nice brood pattern, getting ready to hatch soon.  I think you would be safe to take that frame, a frame with eggs, and a frame of honey and make a split.  Shake a frame of nurse bees in, reduce entrance, add feeder.

[BilletHead]

22 minutes ago, jdmidwest said:

I see signs of it already. Look at all the drone comb on lower left of that frame.  That looks like a queen cell attempt on lower left.

Nice brood pattern, getting ready to hatch soon.  I think you would be safe to take that frame, a frame with eggs, and a frame of honey and make a split.  Shake a frame of nurse bees in, reduce entrance, add feeder.

           Still spooked to attempt that JD. Sure, wish you were closer. If I don't what would plan B and C be? Let nature take its course and swarm hoping I capture the swarm or remove the potential swarm cell?

[tho1mas]

To any of the bee keepers - I have a large box (12 x 12 x 9 inches) about 2/3 full of bee hive box nails (approx. 2 1/4 in.) that my father left me when he passed. Must be 250-350 total nails. I don't know the value but I will give them to anyone that might need them. I live in N. Nixa or could meet in south Spfd. if anyone wants or need them.

P M if interested.

Tom

[BilletHead]

1 hour ago, tho1mas said:

To any of the bee keepers - I have a large box (12 x 12 x 9 inches) about 2/3 full of bee hive box nails (approx. 2 1/4 in.) that my father left me when he passed. Must be 250-350 total nails. I don't know the value but I will give them to anyone that might need them. I live in N. Nixa or could meet in south Spfd. if anyone wants or need them.

P M if interested.

Tom

Mighty nice offer Tom. Don't use those in my build but maybe try to get with you for a meet up and coffee sometime I'm down there. 

[Johnsfolly]

Some MDC information about helping pollinators, which include the native bee species. In Columbia we had many natives, i.e., golden currant, gooseberry, redbud, serviceberry, virginia bluebells, wild ginger, bee balm, columbine, asters, coneflowers, violets, and even two patches of common milkweed. The milkweed would be covered with bees, beetles, and butterflies while in bloom. Also monarch larvae, which Livie would hand rear and release the adults.

MDC encourages Missourians to “bee-friend” pollinators this spring Plant natives in your yard and become a wildlife hotspot! JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Lawnmowers aren’t the only buzzing people will hear outdoors this spring. A variety of Missouri’s many native bees become active as the weather warms, but their populations are declining. These fuzzy insects are important pollinators, playing a critical role in the production of many favorite fruits and vegetables. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages the public to “bee-friend” these valuable insects this season. Missouri is home to around 450 species of native bees, but it’s not uncommon for more to be identified each year. Several common bees found in Missouri include the bumblebee, sweat bee, leafcutter bee, miner bee, and the larger carpenter bee. Most native bees only live about one year. They emerge in the spring as adults, visiting flowers and building nests. Some species, such as bumblebees, make their nests underground, while others, such as leafcutter and mason bees, will nest in small cavities found in wood or in the pith of plant stems. Throughout their lifecycle, bees pollinate flowering plants that provide food, fiber, and even medicines. Bee pollinators’ national value is around $30 billion annually, and they are responsible for 1 in 3 bites of food Americans eat. Without bees and other pollinators, humans would not have foods such as nuts, grapes, coffee, and even chocolate. BEE A FRIEND There are many ways the public can support Missouri’s native bees, but the best way is to plant native plants. “It’s all about the flowers,” said MDC Urban Wildlife Biologist Erin Shank. “Planting native plants, especially those with colorful blossoms, is a great way to bring bees to your yard because the color catches their eye.” Shank also explained that companion planting, in which one plant helps the growth of another, can help facilitate the pollination of fruits and vegetables. For example, planting bee balm can help pollinate tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Other flowering companion plants include sunflowers, blue wild indigo, wild hyacinth, purple prairie clover, and common milkweed. Flowering trees and shrubs, such as redbud, American plum, and golden currant are also great options for pollinators. No green thumb? No problem. Shank noted that people can support bees by not mowing their lawn as much. “Clover, violets, and dandelions are common lawn plants that provide vital food for bees – especially in the spring before most flowers appear,” she explained. “Delaying mowing or mowing higher can help bees by letting the plants grow. Even allowing access to the ground by not mulching every inch can help. Many bees need access to the soil to excavate their nests.” A yard isn’t required to help bee populations and other pollinators. People can offer bees native flowers in a planting box or pot, or by getting involved in a community garden or helping plant at a nearby park. “Some may see bees as an outdoor nuisance, but they play a critical role in food production and the health of our natural communities,” stressed Shank. “By making small strides to plant native flowers and shrubs, Missourians can support bee health and habitat.” To find a native plant retailer near you, visit the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! website at grownative.org. Learn more about Missouri’s native bee species on MDC’s online Field Guide at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Up.

[BilletHead]

18 minutes ago, Johnsfolly said:

Some MDC information about helping pollinators, which include the native bee species. In Columbia we had many natives, i.e., golden currant, gooseberry, redbud, serviceberry, virginia bluebells, wild ginger, bee balm, columbine, asters, coneflowers, violets, and even two patches of common milkweed. The milkweed would be covered with bees, beetles, and butterflies while in bloom. Also monarch larvae, which Livie would hand rear and release the adults.

MDC encourages Missourians to “bee-friend” pollinators this spring Plant natives in your yard and become a wildlife hotspot! JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Lawnmowers aren’t the only buzzing people will hear outdoors this spring. A variety of Missouri’s many native bees become active as the weather warms, but their populations are declining. These fuzzy insects are important pollinators, playing a critical role in the production of many favorite fruits and vegetables. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages the public to “bee-friend” these valuable insects this season. Missouri is home to around 450 species of native bees, but it’s not uncommon for more to be identified each year. Several common bees found in Missouri include the bumblebee, sweat bee, leafcutter bee, miner bee, and the larger carpenter bee. Most native bees only live about one year. They emerge in the spring as adults, visiting flowers and building nests. Some species, such as bumblebees, make their nests underground, while others, such as leafcutter and mason bees, will nest in small cavities found in wood or in the pith of plant stems. Throughout their lifecycle, bees pollinate flowering plants that provide food, fiber, and even medicines. Bee pollinators’ national value is around $30 billion annually, and they are responsible for 1 in 3 bites of food Americans eat. Without bees and other pollinators, humans would not have foods such as nuts, grapes, coffee, and even chocolate. BEE A FRIEND There are many ways the public can support Missouri’s native bees, but the best way is to plant native plants. “It’s all about the flowers,” said MDC Urban Wildlife Biologist Erin Shank. “Planting native plants, especially those with colorful blossoms, is a great way to bring bees to your yard because the color catches their eye.” Shank also explained that companion planting, in which one plant helps the growth of another, can help facilitate the pollination of fruits and vegetables. For example, planting bee balm can help pollinate tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Other flowering companion plants include sunflowers, blue wild indigo, wild hyacinth, purple prairie clover, and common milkweed. Flowering trees and shrubs, such as redbud, American plum, and golden currant are also great options for pollinators. No green thumb? No problem. Shank noted that people can support bees by not mowing their lawn as much. “Clover, violets, and dandelions are common lawn plants that provide vital food for bees – especially in the spring before most flowers appear,” she explained. “Delaying mowing or mowing higher can help bees by letting the plants grow. Even allowing access to the ground by not mulching every inch can help. Many bees need access to the soil to excavate their nests.” A yard isn’t required to help bee populations and other pollinators. People can offer bees native flowers in a planting box or pot, or by getting involved in a community garden or helping plant at a nearby park. “Some may see bees as an outdoor nuisance, but they play a critical role in food production and the health of our natural communities,” stressed Shank. “By making small strides to plant native flowers and shrubs, Missourians can support bee health and habitat.” To find a native plant retailer near you, visit the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! website at grownative.org. Learn more about Missouri’s native bee species on MDC’s online Field Guide at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Up.

              Pretty neat John,

  I give those bees places to live also. Any little place they could find to build they do including the pee hole on my outboards. I draw the line on the carpenter bees and trap them. Also a good wide piece of wood will swat the hovering things to oblivion. 

[jdmidwest]

The new in thing is to let your yard go and give the pollinators blossoms.  Save the money in gas by mowing less.