Words of Wisdom just for you!

Team 1, it appears you all are about to move from bee keeper to bee sustainer with good healthy hives.  While I cannot be sure what the weather will hold, my inspection of my hives shows the queens are now hard at work making new bees.  Based on the weather we have been hiving we are now three weeks ahead and the nectar season is already starting with blooms from maples and other trees and shrubs.  I am amazed how short time wise the actual big nectar flow is.  Coming early does NOT mean a longer nectar flow…just an earlier one.

So, what does this mean for you.  A good bee keeper must always be ahead of the game.  This last week I met with Tommy Helms several times to discuss bees (he is a master beekeeper and sold his honey in our market last fall).  Discussions with him along with what I am learning in State Bee School has alerted me to the fact that we must have our supers ready to go and must now up our game with hive inspections.  I have purchased for myself two new hives, two swarm trap boxes, additional supers, and one additional 5 frame nuc to place captured swarms in.  I spent all day yesterday painting wooden ware.  I am planning on transferring the bees in our demo hive into a real hive and then repopulating the demohive with a new nuc of bees or a captured swarm.  Yes….I have been a busy man.  You must become so as well depending on what you want to accomplish!

• You should now be in your hive every two weeks to check the progress of your hive and be on the watch for queen cells.
• If you get some queen cells I now know how to do a split and we can start a new hive with your queen cells, and taking some of your brood, eggs, and honey and transferring to a new hive.  But…YOU MUST BE PREPARED WITH A NEW HIVE READY  TO TAKE THE NEW BEES.
• Last year as first year beekeepers, you really did not have to worry about new queens and having your bees swarm.  This year will be another story.  You are highly likely to produce queen cells and can easily have your bees swarm if you are not paying attention (just ask Erin Denison).
• You have two choices….cut out the queen cells and increase space in your hive OR use the queen cells to make new hives.

Tommy Helms makes all the wooden ware in his shop and I can easily purchase new equipment from him.  His prices are competitive with Brushy Mountain and his workmanship is superior.  I plan to get a pricing list from him today and will post here for your information.

Bee Team 2 and Those from Team 1 Who ordered Early

I have your orders in and should be getting pricing this week.  Once I do I must have full payment in order to finalize and pick up your equipment.  I plan to make a trip to West Jefferson within the next two weeks to pick this up so you can begin painting your hives.  All new members should study the first three lessons I have on this blog now.  School is now in session!

Do not hesitate to call me and/or post your questions here!