Installing a Package

Bees came to Post Office this morning and I got the call to please come and get them. Installed around noon when it started to warm up. Sprayed them down good with sugar water. Took queen cage out of package to see her condition and all was well. Put a small hole in candy end of cage so other bees will have a easy time getting her out. Placed the cage between frames and then dumped bees in, three pounds is a lot of bees. They were very calm no problems. Put jar feeder on and closed up hive. Will check on queen to see if she is out in a few days. Put cage in front of hive so those that stayed in can come out later.

Skunk Guard

I now have second hive ready for bees that are coming this week. I noticed on the first hive mud smudges on the landing board. I made some skunk guards for both hives. Skunks are known to be in the area.

First Hive Inspection

First off , of the twelve days that the hive has had bees installed ten of those days here in Knoxville have been very rainey. I have to say the hive is doing very well, not to my doing becaus I could go back tomorrow and they might all be gone. The nuc I purchased from Michael Wilson of Rose Comb Apiary was outstanding. I got much more for my money then what I actually paid. The bees are very calm and gentle. Just what a new beekeeper as myself needs. I look forward to twelve days of good weather to see how the bees produce. In one of the pictures you can see the Queen hard at work.

I have been feeding since day one and they have been consuming about a gallon of sugar water every two days. I will continue to feed untile they refuse to feed and go to nectar.

I saw many eggs laid in a good pattern and also larva. Bees were doing so well I have added the third mediumn brood box. I plan on using three med. boxes for brood before adding supers.

Installed Nuc

Got the nuc of bees today and installed them into hive after letting them rest from the trip in the trunk of the car for about an hour. The rest time made all the difference in the world. They were very calm going into the hive. Started feeding them sugar water right off. My grandson was a big help in the installation process. Let you know how things are going in a week or so.

Hive Location

I have decided where to place my hive by talking with other beekeepers as to good locations. In the pictures I placed the hive near a clean water source,a break from the northern winds in the winter. The hive will get the morning sun and be some-what shaded in the evening. The garden spot is about fifty yards away and fruit trees and grape vines cover a lot of the area. The field also has lots of clover.

Hive Taking Shape

I have finished my hive construction except for painting the two honey supers. I went with all medium hive supers to make the job of getting replacement parts easier by not forgetting what size parts I may need. I only have one size. Also weight was a factor. I will be adding the bees in late April with a nuc box. It will contain five frames of brood,and queen. It will give me a better start then with package bees.

Now What???

Well I decided to buy my beekeeping items here local at the county Co-Op. I looked at all the possibilities,ordering from a on-line company or local. The prices for on-line items was cheaper but the shipping charges were very high. I came out cheaper by buying local. I like the idea of constructing your own hives and frames,etc.. Now if something goes wrong I will have some idea on how to make the repair.

I actually enjoyed the construction of the different pieces. My grandson was a big help. He made sure I put each piece together the same way.

I also purchased my hive tool,smoker,and vail from the Co-Op also. I think if you are a beekeeper in your county you need to buy from those in your county also.