Honey Bees

[No_Bivy]

here is me doin a hive inspection of the bees I cut out of a cabin 5 weeks ago...

getting a bit smoother so I have been going gloveless. Pretty mellow bees too.
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[MasterBlaster]

So how do you collect the honey?

 

[lumberjack]

When you inspect, what are you looking for?

 

[BlackSmith]

Butch, there is a shorter box thats placed on top of the hive called a super. It's where the honey is stored. The super is removed when full or before the hive is winterized.

 

[MasterBlaster]

That's super!

 

[brendonv]

I've always wanted to bite into a fresh honey comb. That's pretty neat john.

 

[Wagnaw]

That's cool John! So, I'm guessing you clamp parts of the old hive into those slides, and the bees rebuild the comb to fill it?

Have you put in any electric fence yet to keep the bears out? The hives that used to be on daisy hill had a pretty stout electric fence to try to keep the bears away.

 

[sotc]

I've always wanted to bite into a fresh honey comb. That's pretty neat john.

We used to do it in the woods when we came across a honey bee tree. Big bite, chew it up and spit out a ball of wax
I'm curios also as to what your looking for John

 

[rumination]

Cool! I'm looking forward to my beekeeping course this summer.

Is that your only hive, John?

 

[No_Bivy]

I have two hive...one currently still in the log. I will have a third hive at the end of the month.(russian bees) My are other hive are wild feral bees.

I was checking top see if the queen is still laying eggs and wether there are a swarm cells present. These mean the hive is producing a new queen which will result in a swarm. I also have a couple of swarm traps up in case I miss it.

I have a 15,000 volt fence up for the bears.

 

[sotc]

And kids

 

[No_Bivy]

And kids

they are aware of them since we live near a farm and hike there often.

 

[Che]

I've always wanted to bite into a fresh honey comb. That's pretty neat john.

I remember seeing it in the grocery store, but if you can't find it, you could just buy some online.

 

[Cobleskill]

Farmers markets usually have someone who sells honey and honeycomb. If you find a local dealer you will be suprised at the variety of different kinds of honey available- basswood, buckwheat, fall flower.

 

[No_Bivy]

"cut comb" honey is harder on the bee/beekeeper. It sets them back so they have to build new comb every time. Otherwise the comb is reused year after year....some say cut comb is good for arthritis

 

[MasterBlaster]

So how do you get the honey? Feel free to gimme a good link...

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Do you spin it out John and then put the comb back?

 

[No_Bivy]

Do you spin it out John and then put the comb back?

spun out in an "extractor"....then the empty(supers) are stored for the next honey flow. 60lbs of honey will be left on the hive for winter...the rest is "robbed" from the bees..

cutting combs means they have to rebuild it. Mo' work for them.

 

[SkwerI]

Can I put in my order now for a pint of honey from your hive? Let me know what you think it's worth when it's ready and I'll mail you a check.

 

[arborworks1]

Yeah man, I'll take some as well. Just put mine on Brian's tab and we won't tell him.

 

[SkwerI]

Yeah, sounds good! We just won't tell him and...

oh, wait..

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Cool ... Brian's buying the honey? Sign me up, Katy said for two, kids ya know....

 

[Wagnaw]

Here ya go John.

http://www.wimp.com/giantbees/

 

[Al Smith]

I used to work with this guy ,he has since retired .Don Steinke is a world expert on bees. He picked it up from his father who was also a bee keeper.

http://ourohio.org/index.php?page=steinke-s-bee-world

 

[No_Bivy]

very cool Andrew...crazy looking hive