We FINALLY got our bees!!! They were delivered last night about 10 in their little nuc box. I was instructed to put the box on top of the hive and open the door for the over night hours. Then this afternoon I was told to move the frames into the hive.

I did exactly as instructed. Did not get stung once. Paul took a couple hits, but he was making fun of me, and I think the bees sensed it... go girls!!!

Last night we sat and watched them for like an hour, with the flashlight on the little door. They are cute little fuzzy buggers.

There was a bunch of bees left in the box after I moved the frames, so I just left the box next to the hive. Within the hour they had vacated the box and moved into the hive. God, they are smart!!

It's going to be fun just to sit and watch them. They let you get within a couple of feet of the hive and don't bother you. I had my hat and veil on, but even when I was moving the frames over, I only had a couple even land on me. Paul got stung because they flew by his head and he was waving his arms and that seems to aggitate them.

I will eventually learn to work the camera with my gloves on so I can take some pictures of them

Any more pointers and tips from all you beekeepers out there would be greatly appreciated

--Kelly

Very cool! This will be an interesting thread.

Make sure that they have a good source of water - that's vital. A pond or even a bird bath will do.

A little shade and an area out of the direct winds is perfect for them.

Keep a large cardboard box handy to retrieve them if they swarm.

Find out in advance if any of your family members or frequent visitors are allergic to bee stings......


And start looking up recipes for the honey that you'll be enjoying!

Thanks, Will. They have the horse water tank about 50 yards away. They are located in a little stand of pine... they get morning sun on their entrance, and evening sun on their backsides. They are protected from the majority of the intense afternoon sun by the pine boughs.

I was wondering if they would move into a new hive if they swarm. I was thinking about putting a small hive up close by in case they swarm, but don't know if they will move into it or not.

I went to the doctor and got 2 epi-pens in case there is a sting to someone with allergies. The nurse I work with suggested it, just in case Paul or I end up developing an allergy to them.

Also, for the honey, I plan on making mead with it I use a lot of honey in my other wines too, so I figured, what the heck, lets try raising bees

Should be an interesting ride...

--Kel

Neat...My friend raises bees, she enjoys them very much!
It's always fun hearing her stories! Good luck, keep us posted!
Do a video of the hives!

Bees are so much fun. I'd be a little jealous if I weren't so stupid allergic to them. So I put out boxes for the stingless mason bees on the eves of my house.

When I had them around as a teenager we had a creek and river nearby so we didn't have to worry about the water problem but as a word of warning if you're not on a well, treated water can have some horrible consequences. If you find your bees are using your horse trough I would drop a big sponge in it to keep the little buggars from drowning.

Feed em well until they are established.

Yeah! Congrats Kelly! I too look forward to hearing and learning about your bee keeping adventure! We often sit near our chicken yard and watch the silly clucks do their thing, so I know what you mean about the enjoyment of watching your bees! Best of luck in your new endeavor.

Thanks Melissa!! I thought about doing the masons, but then figured I might as well do the real deal and use the honey they produce.

We have a creek as well, but it's at the other end of the pasture. I will have to put something into the trough, but the Belgian Draft is a goober and plays with everything. I am sure he would eat a sponge... Maybe I will find a chunk of balsa wood to float in it and see if he will leave that alone. He will also stick one front leg in the tank and just stand there... I tell you he's a goober

You'll find out in short order which spot they prefer. As long as *something* is floating in the water it shouldn't be an issue. I knew people who used straw but I really don't like making the water gross especially if your draft drinks out of it.

They usually pick the spot with the most humidity which is usually a drainage ditch or creek.