Chook n Boo Mum Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 As I've mentioned before, the best tool I've found for a hive building session is a 13 (was 12 ) year old boy....especially one with so many little helpers......... They were all stood on the tarp with him when I turned round for the camera I now have a fully built hive waiting to go out on it's base next to the other hive....and one small boy who wants to get all dressed up & come out to inspect the hive with me Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 Well I'm put to shame ... a child can build it, afraid it took me ages and lots of bashed thumbs and puzzled moments, even after that it was put together wrong and I had to hastily dismantle it when I got given a nuc! Very exciting - when are you getting bees in it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted April 5, 2010 Author Share Posted April 5, 2010 He'll be pleased that you are impressed....he's like his Dad, got the mind & dexterity of an engineer......and the bruised thumbs of any normal bod with a hammer in his hand It's taken him a while to make it all up over the space of about 5 months, so not an overnight job for him either Don't know yet re the occupants Olly, I've got my first hive up & running from last summer, & they seem to be quite happy with their lot, so I may put my name up for a swarm later in the year. DS is getting keen on helping with the bees too now, so I may just sneak him in to the bee course tomorrow evening so he can ask questions & show an interest..........and yes I got the bees first then got the instruction Bless him, we went outside to put the super on the main hive yesterday afternoon & before we removed veils etc he checked me over for "latch-ons" and I checked him over...he had a very dopey little girl tucked into the fold of his jacket...methinks a smaller outfit would be a good idea for him so he has less folds to hide in Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 we went outside to put the super on the main hive yesterday Sha x I am so The flowering plum isn't even in bloom here. It's cold and miserable. The bees here will have largely missed the snowdrops and crocuses. The Pussy Willow is shyly peeking out in places. I have my first hive built and waiting for bees from my local club Ever hopefull Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 Hang on in there OSH, you'll get some eventually (it's a bit like waiting for your first chickens to be delivered!) I've been lucky where I live, and my bees have been flying for a few weeks, I've just got some muscari (grape hyacinth) out in the garden and they love them. Sha, what are you going to do about swarm prevention on your main hive? I ask, because we've been advised to do the artifical swarm method in my local group, and I'm hoping to start a second colony from that. I haven't got a second hive yet, hoping to get the bits soon. I'll have to try and find a handy 12 year old! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 We might be trying an artificial swarm this year as well, depending on whats occuring in the hive. We've bought 2 2nd hand hives and the idea is that one will be for an artificial swarm if necessary and the 3rd for somebody elses' swarm if one comes up; no matter if it doesn't. Today's has been the first warm day for ages and I can't believe how many bees are out and about - quite scary when you haven't seem so many of them for 6 months. Next time we get a decent day I'll put a super and syrup on. I'm told ours are still feasting on catkins and willow with the odd blossoming tree and the bulbs. I'm sure the good days will come for you soon OSH. I was in Devon last weekend and everything is so much further forward there. I also spotted 4 hives close to the M3! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted April 6, 2010 Author Share Posted April 6, 2010 Sha, what are you going to do about swarm prevention on your main hive? I ask, because we've been advised to do the artifical swarm method in my local group, and I'm hoping to start a second colony from that. My main hive has a brood and a half on & I've just put the super on as I mentioned...as they were a new colony last year I am hoping that I will be safe this year from swarming, though obviously I will keep an eye on things as these little buzzers can catch you unawares :anxious I have a near neighbour with whom I'm working now & we share our mentor...though I haven't heard from him yet this year, I wonder if she has Off to the class tonight, so I'd better get my file & books sorted Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
