Anybody raise bees

[Bassy]

We tried raising bees about 5 years ago: bought the hive with bees and all,but a moth got to them and they moved out. The hive's been empty since and we have a grand opportunity now. We had a swarm of bees move in two days ago and they're hanging on an old dead tree branch. We cleaned out the hive and its ready to go. The bees seem to be checking it out,but no idea what else to do. Anyone have any ideas?<br />Bassy

 

[one more cast]

Re: Anybody raise bees

The only thing I know about bees is they like to me. My sister worked for a bee keeper and they move their hives, bees and all to NC for the winter then back to NY for the summer. I would think the bees would hang around as long as they had a good supply of nectar.

 

[llfish]

Re: Anybody raise bees

Place some sugar water in the hive. Call and talk to a bee keeper in your area.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Anybody raise bees

Not intentionally <br /><br />A couple of summer's ago I was sitting on the deck and for some reason looked up to see an enormous (I mean enormous) hive built around one of my flood lights with dozens of bees just flying around it. It must have been 3' tall by 2.5' wide and looked like some crazy, grotesque mask... so weird!

 

[muskyone]

Re: Anybody raise bees

i agree with larry put suger water at the entrance to the hive my mom in law raises bees when thay find a swarm thay get the queen and put her in the hive the rest will fallow

 

[Omega-1]

Re: Anybody raise bees

Hi Bassy,<br />I'm a new member to this board and saw your beekeeping question. I've raised honeybees myself several years ago and will give you the best answer I can from my experience and reading on the subject.<br />First of all, (1.) you have cleaned the hive box readying it for occupancy and have placed some frames in the box with honeycomb foundations - right??<br />Once this is done, (2.) you will need to find a swarm of bees with the queen bee in the midst of the swarm, or you will need to purchase a queen bee and some worker bees. If you have a swarm don yourself in beekeeper hat and protective cloathing, and bring your hive box to the scene, remove some of the frames; enough space to shake the swarm into the box. Usually the queen is in the midest of the worker bees and will enter the box with the mass of bees shaken into the box. If you purchase bees, then place the queen in the hive box and workers in the box as well. Then (3) place a feeder bottle with sugar water either in the hive box or on the porch landing of the hive box to feed the bees for a while. (4) once you have the hive settled in the hive box and the workers are gathering pollen and building honeycomb; you may want to place a filter entry slat on the entrance to keep moths out of the hive. Additionally, if you want to hand an ultraviolet zapper light outside to attract nighttime moths, this may be of some assist locally. I hope this answers your question.

 

[Bassy]

Re: Anybody raise bees

Thank you all for your replies. It looks like hubby will be getting on the bee protective gear after all. I kinda thought we would have to go get the queen and they would follow. Thanks again.<br />Bassy

 

[PAkev]

Re: Anybody raise bees

I've also raised bees for a few years up until last year when I took a sebatical from bear damage and bee stings.<br /><br />Your chances of successfully getting the swarm are much better by physically locating them in the hive body by shaking them in or cutting the tree branch they are on and put it in the hive body. The bees you catch have swarmed for a reason. This time of year many hives become overpopulated when not manageged and supered correctly. However, they also may swarm because they are getting away from an existing diseased population. <br /><br />Obtaining one or two frames of developed uncapped cells will make your hive more habitable for the swarm. Contact you local dept of agriculture to get names of local bee keepers and they will be your best resource of obtaining these frames.<br /><br />Providing FRESH sugar water will keep the bees at the hive with whats necessary for developing additional cells and capping existing cells until they have too much to loose by moving on.<br /><br />Unless you don't plan on wintering the hive, I wouldn't expect to harvest any honey off them this year. Therefore, I would concentrate on maintaining a healthy population. Once you know the swarm is staying, it would be a good idea to get some apistan powder and terramyacin on them to prevent mites and foulbrood.<br /><br />Hope it helps.<br />Kevin

 

[Bassy]

Re: Anybody raise bees

Thank you PAkev,<br />That's very helpful information.<br />Bassy

 

[Bassy]

Re: Anybody raise bees

Well, I put out the welcome mat and sugar water and they are cleaning house and getting ready to move in. Cool!<br />Bassy