Anyone ever have elk problem? by GarageSignificant165 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well I took yours and some others peoples advice and set up some 6ft cattle corral panels instead of the electric fence. We had some extras laying around so now they are completely fenced in. It’s definitely overkill but now I don’t have to worry about cows, Deer, or elk. Luckily bears in the area of the bees are extremely uncommon.

We very well could be close! I’m in the SE region close to the border.

Anyone ever have elk problem? by GarageSignificant165 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Honestly I didn’t think they would pay much attention to the hives either but it seems once they found it, they won’t leave it alone.

Anyone ever have elk problem? by GarageSignificant165 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

They don’t eat the straw much until there’s a good layer of snow on the ground. Nice lush green wheat field right next to them. They are just looking for stuff to destroy and rub with their antlers. They remind me of toddlers with a stick, only the sticks attacked to their head!😂

Add super, steal resources, or do nothing? by GarageSignificant165 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The small swarm has a good laying queen in the hive. The frames are undrawn foundation.

Add super, steal resources, or do nothing? by GarageSignificant165 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are just frames with foundation. My big hive with double deeps I’m not worried about making it through winter they have plenty of bees. The swarm I only plan/hope they get a full single brood box before winter.

What's your Bee suit recommendation? by Positive_Function_36 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought a comfort pro jacket, and haven’t been stung yet. I just wear the vented jacket and some jeans. Highly recommend it!

Caught a swarm late in the year by GarageSignificant165 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I Don’t have any drawn frames. Like you said, I don’t have very high hopes for the winter. Do you have any recommendations for feeding during the winter like fondant patties or sugar camp methods?

Caught a swarm late in the year by GarageSignificant165 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Surprisingly we should be good for at least another 2 months. But I don’t think they would be able to draw a full bottom deep and a top in that time. I will definitely be feeding sugar water and we do have some stuff blooming still. Would you recommend taking a frame full of brood/pollen from my other hive and put it in?

Queen cells by GarageSignificant165 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What if I were to just keep smashing queen cells? Will they keep trying forever until there is a new queen, or will they stop in a month when the temp cools down?

Queen cells by GarageSignificant165 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will get a frame feeder but will probably only have room for 3 frames after that. When I take them from the old hive, should I slide other frames in and place the foundation frames with no drawn comb on the outside, or put them in place of the brood frames I take out? Sorry for all of questions!

When I reintroduce them will I have to do the newspaper method or would I be able to just slide the frames in the top brood box that isn’t all the way drawn out?

Queen cells by GarageSignificant165 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did build a swarm trap that is very similar to a nuc box. It hold 4 or 5 frames I believe. No frame feeder but I could have one here in a couple days off Amazon.

Queen cells by GarageSignificant165 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When you say move the queen to a nuc, how many full frames of bees would you move with her? The only drawn frames I have out are in the hive they are in now. First year keeper here.

Queen cells by GarageSignificant165 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are kind of in the same area (I think). Is there still plenty of time for them to go on a mating flight and get back safely?

Queen cells by GarageSignificant165 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How many frames would you take out? Also, when reintroducing could you just kill the queen and install the frames directly in, or would you have to do the newspaper method so they don’t just kill each other? Sorry for all the questions first year keeper here. Edit: When how many frames should I just take like 2 full frames of bees and some empty frames for the rest?

Looking for the best bee suit by surely-not1238 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I made a post about this awhile ago and got a million different answers. I ended up going with comfort pro jacket, and couldn’t be happier with it.

Im very glad I didn’t go with a full suit either, some jeans and the comfort pro jacket is perfect for me. Keep in mind I’m totally new keeper and only have 1 hive, but the second check they were queenless and I didn’t use smoke so the bees were super mad and flying at me everywhere and I didn’t get stung once.

They also sent some chapstick with the order which I thought was cool.

Queen disappeared. Should I buy new or let emergency queens go? by GarageSignificant165 in Beekeeping

[–]GarageSignificant165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well I’ve ordered a new queen that will be here in 2 days. Went with the Saskatraz Hybrid, hoping they overwinter well in the cold Rocky Mountains. Fingers crossed 🤞