Hiving my package bees!

[xQuinnx]

I thought I would post some pictures of one of my other hobbies. This is my second year beekeeping, but unfortunately the late season swarm I was given last year didn't survive the winter. This year I ordered two packages of Italian honey bees from California (my association gets them for the beginners in the spring, so I don't know exactly where they were raised).

Here are some pictures of me hiving my second package into a top bar hive, the other hive behind me is a langstroth with western boxes. It's also the first time I'd ever used a full suit, and I have to say it really wasn't necessary as these bees were surprisingly docile the during the whole process.

Removing the can of sugar water.

I'm holding the little cage that has the queen in it, and putting a mini marshmallow in the opening so the bees can slowly eat their way through to her.

Pouring bees, it sounds like a bad idea but they didn't seem to mind much.

Result =)

Clustering around their queen.

This was a few days ago, and I'm actually going to go out and inspect the hives after I post this. I'll take pictures if there's anything interesting happening =)

 

[Exo]

That is so awesome!

There is another member on here who has kept bees, Kula, I bet he will BEE in this thread soon enough. *Ducks rotten tomato for lame joke*

 

[xQuinnx]

Haha, thanks Exo =)

---------- Post added at 01:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:39 PM ----------

I went out and removed the empty queen cages. I couldn't locate the queens, but the bees are still mellow and happy so she's probably just well hidden.

Empty queen cage, and no need for a veil or gloves with these bees right now.

My apiary.

My helper! She's watching the bees.

 

[seedjar]

Nice! I'd love to come visit the next time I'd up on the peninsula - I've never had a chance to see a beehive up close.
~Joe

 

[mass]

your insane!

I want that get up for Halloween this year.

 

[kulamauiman]

I wish the bees I am working with were that mellow. Feral hives started form swarms and no access to good queens on Maui..... As long as I am not working them I can stand right by the hive no problems with them checking me out... Working them, OTOH, full anti bee armor....

 

[xQuinnx]

@Seedjar: Sure! As long as it's not in late summer/fall time they'll be very docile so it's a good experience. I wouldn't reccomend a first time bee experience later in the year though because they tend to get a bit irritable.

@Mass: It's a pretty expensive get up =P

@Kula: Oh yikes, that's unfortunate! I've never been around feral hives, but I know someone who loves catching feral swarms and keeping them in Warre hives. He always comments on how the bees get smaller and meaner when they're feral for a couple seasons, but they're apparently extremely interesting to study.

 

[Rocketcaver]

Good to see another beekeeper here!
I had bees several years ago but had to give them up when we moved to town.
Now that we have moved back out to the country we are starting back up again, I have 2 nucs due to arrive in a couple of weeks. I had top bar hives for a while too.
My package bees were always pretty docile too, but after a couple of years and they might not be so calm. I found that, in general, the meaner the bees the better they were at honey production.
Your mileage may vary.

 

[EverDave]

That is so awesome. Do you do it just for fun or for the honey? This idea has always intrigued me. Would need a bigger yard than I have now though haha

 

[xQuinnx]

@Rocketcaver: I hope your new hives do well! I have heard that meaner bees are super productive, though I haven't been beekeeping long enough to know from experience =).

@EverDave: Thanks! I mostly do it because I think it's very interesting and fun. The honey and beeswax are pretty great perks though! I definitely reccomend trying it out someday. Like CPs, it's addictive!

 

[D_muscipula]

My teachers a bee keeper, his family was featured on the television show "Dirty Jobs"

 

[Lil Stinkpot]

Just today we drove through a swarm. It sounded funny, until we though about how many drones must have perished against our Ranger. Poor fellows!

I used to have an empty feral hive. It was soo neat! I had it hanging in the old greenhouse, where it got lots of attention. Then, that winter, some marauding rodent ate it. Grrr!