New bees
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Thread: New bees

  1. 05-19-2018, 04:03 PM #1
    mudcat
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    Default New bees

    Got two nucs last Sat. Put them in the new hive with 5 new frames. This morning put a deep box on top the brood box..They were crowded and filled the 5 new frames quick..Took the top off and about 10 thousand bees came a swarming out..I quickly put the new box on closed up and worked on the second hive..Well there had to 20 thousand in the hive, and yep all 20 thousand came out fighting. cloud of mean little suckers.Put the new box on top and closed up..Well the 20 thousand didn't want to settle down and came looking for a fight...Walking away very quickly, Down to 10 thousand now all looking for a place to put a stinger..Walking away still! maybe down to a couple thousand. .50 yards away , down to maybe a couple hundred.Stopped walking and stood still...They finally gave up looking for a soft spot for a stinger to go..Walked back and took of hood and coat...Glove had hundreds of stingers hanging from it...Only got stung once thru the glove.. Mental note to self-- find long leather gloves..

    Will give feed back later as i look at the bees in a day or so...Leather gloves in hand

    Mud
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  2. 05-20-2018, 05:17 AM #2
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    DaBee
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    Dang, Mud! I always only wore the hood when dealing with my hives. BUT - I'd smoke 'em a bit first if I was taking the top off. Never dealt with the angry ones, thank goodness. Definitely get the long, leather gloves!
    Sounds like you enjoy being a beekeeper. That's a good thing as we need more in this country; our pollinators are dwindling.
    Get some yummy honey last season and selling it? Keep it up!!!
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  3. 05-21-2018, 08:13 AM #3
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    islandvideo
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    So, I don’t know anything about them... did all those stinging bees die?
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  4. 06-04-2018, 02:29 PM #4
    Frank Bland
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    Default A few things I have learned from working with bees:

    Quote Originally Posted by islandvideo View Post
    did all those stinging bees die?
    Sadly the ones that left their stinger did.

    Mudcat ,

    You mentioned working the bees in the morning. The best time to work them is between 10 AM and 4 PM. while most of the older bees are out working the fields. The older bees are the most defensive guard bees.
    Try not to work them if there is any weather change or threat of rain. They just hate it if you take their roof away.
    Always work them calmly with smooth motions and try to not smash bees since that certainly upsets the survivors.
    Don't eat bananas before entering the bee yard since the odor mimics their attack pheromone.
    If you do get stung remove the stinger quickly and smoke the sting or others because that scent probably smells like bananas to them.
    If you smoke the hive, use a little smoke in the hive and a lot of smoke on yourself.
    Good protective gear is a great investment.

    The bees always have new lessons to make me a better beekeeper if I just take time to listen to them.

    Good luck to all the local beekeepers
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  5. 06-20-2018, 06:56 PM #5
    mudcat
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    Checked the three hives again..The older one were working on the second small super..The two new ones were working on the big super on top the brood box. Hope to have them full for the winter..The old hive might get the top two full. Might get to rob them, if they fill it up..Smoked the little buggers this time Got away with no stings...If the rain holds on..Might not have to feed them. Got the sugar water ready if it turns dry agin
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  6. 06-21-2018, 10:02 AM #6
    Frank Bland
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    I watched a great video that can help any beekeeper handle bees without so many stings: Tips on Working Bees Randy Oliver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcfqTx4_FAo&t=1913s
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  7. 07-07-2018, 05:29 PM #7
    mudcat
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    Started feeding the bees..Not much out there for pollen...Just hope they have enough stored for winter.
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  8. 07-19-2018, 05:43 AM #8
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    These folks in Virginia bee very happy!

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  9. 08-28-2018, 08:31 PM #9
    mudcat
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    been feeding them every three days, they can drink a quart in three days one hive is mean little suckers get stunk every time on this one, even smoking them..Can't sneak up on them either. took top off about three inches to look at the frames, even smoking them didn't help..Top back on very quick. Suit and hood next time

    Mud
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  10. 09-06-2018, 06:55 PM #10
    mudcat
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    Well the hive on the right are mean bunch tried to add some more sugar water to feed them..Smoked the devil out of them didn't faze them some i guess had gas masks on..only got stung twice feeder is still on the hive..Not getting close until dressed up
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