On this cool drizzly day, this 70 yr. plus kid just installed his first 4 frame Nuc. I’m sure of 2 things I will have a lot of questions and I will get stung. Yesterday the girls saw I forgot my veil and gloves and they were gentle with me.
Hope to be bee chatting later
Doug
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Welcome to the forum and to beekeeping, Doug.
It’s the best obsession there is. You’re in for a path of learning that never ends. The science and the art can keep you fascinated every minute, though I have met the odd beekeeper that just takes honey and replaces dead bees every year or two.
I recommend joining a club and doing a hands-on beginning in bees class to accelerate your success. Get along to a bee conference and soak in the science and practical beekeeping presentations.
I find regular bee stings quite therapeutic. If it’s been a while, my aches and pains creep back.
Enjoy your journey and we welcome every question here. You’ll have a few. Take pictures to help us help you.
Cheers,
Mike
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And a good overcast morning to you,
Good of you to offer help. I’m in need of advice. Installed my 4 frame Nuc on the 23rd into a deep with screened bottom board, 2 frame size feeder containing 4L. 1/1 sugar water and 4 empty frames with black waxed foundation which I put extra bees wax on.
On 26th was told bees had to be relocated by 50yards, Moved hive onto cart at 10:00, left them alone till next day. 11:00 on the 27th opened the bottom screen 1/2 way, topped up the feeder with 2L. syrup Inspected frames. I am new but I saw 2 frames of brood, 2 frames honey and pollen, no eggs seen, new frames undrawn. No queen seen but she was there when Nuc installed. Closed up the hive and left them alone. 05:30 on the 28th no bee activity at hive, blocked the 2 inch entrance reducer with teflon screen on a 1 1/2 inch black sponge unused paint brush. Left brush in hope sponge is ok for the girls. Using the cart moved to the new location which I pre set up. Installed the hive on the stand. Covered the front of the hive with leaf covered branches, checked the screen bottom was half opened. PLAN TO LEAVE CLOSED TILL 10:00 29th.
Suggestions. errors? Any ideas appreciated
Thanks
Doug
Sounds like you’ve done a good job of relocating. I’d open them straight away. There’s no point keeping them closed in. Get them reorienting so they can start foraging.
Queens and eggs can be challenging for beginners to spot. I can’t see eggs without glasses, which I frequently forget. Whip your phone out and take pictures, first with bees on, then after you shake the bees off. It’s much easier to see when the image is on your computer screen. One or two day old larvae are easier to see. Look for small translucent C shaped grub in a pool of royal jelly. That tells you the queen was there four or five days ago.
There’s always the risk of rolling the queen when lifting frames. Start with the second in from the side. She’s less likely to be there. That gives you room to move frames across before lifting them.
I recommend getting a copy of Hilliary Kierney’s book “Queen Spotting”, digital or print. She has beautiful pictures of frames with queens ranging in difficulty from easy to quite challenging. It’s good practice to sharpen your queen spotting skills.
Mike
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Thanks Mike
I’ll let the ladies out this morning. Do an inspection Sun. Will pick up Kierney’s book thanks for the tip.
Doug