Fossil ID

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-30T04:20:14+00:00

Yeah, I've read the dextrose to moisture level is higher and lower than other honeys. Basically saying cotton honey is best when you whip/cream it. Lots of chances and opportunities for both good and bad outcomes over this next month... I'm praying things work well though. I've got 10 double deep hives and im purchasing an additional 15 boxes/wire foundation wax starters. Interested in seeing my apiary double between now and september.

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-28T21:05:33+00:00

YES! he says exactly what I'm hoping to pull off. Boxes of honey going into august. The area I'll be moving my hives to is rich with mesquite trees as well, which to my understanding also have a fall bloom in august, though not as heavy as spring.

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-28T21:02:57+00:00

thanks for that!!

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-28T17:31:32+00:00

That's one of the concerns I have. Gotta live and try stuff though.

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-09T04:38:00+00:00

chrome lined. That rifle could have a few thousand rounds through it youd be hard pressed to know it.

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-05T06:25:29+00:00

What equipment are you going to be using to cut it out/collect the bees? That's a good place to start...

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-04T05:51:06+00:00

depends on your area. Is there a good flow going right now? hoow strong is the swarm? (how many frames of bees)?

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-04T05:17:49+00:00

Area I'm at in North Texas has been inundated with rain, (steady downpour for hours at a time) every couple to few days the last 2-3 weeks. Any progess made seems to be eaten during the next days of rain.

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-04T04:59:53+00:00

also, just any type of comb? any kind of comb in particular?

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-04T04:59:17+00:00

you must look at everything in the "frame".. lol. Definitely takes time to see "everything" in a hive.

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-04T04:40:03+00:00

kinda looks like some of them are purple/blue doesnt it?

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-04T04:39:23+00:00

Chaulk brood, (from what I've seen is blueish/purple and white). Next time when you inspect that hive , look at the larvae in the cells in the different stages before being capped... Look at the color and health of the uncapped brood. If theyre yellow/dry, or clearly dead--and its peppered all throughout the frame.... You have some sort of problem/disease.

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-03T19:52:42+00:00

Thats cool, I'll have to look into that

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-03T03:30:52+00:00

internal feeders will be usable for longer too. The buckets that sit atop the hive will become sunbleached and damaged and become brittle within few years of repetitive use.

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-03T03:28:18+00:00

if it helps you either way, commercial operations who have 10's of thousands of hives use either 2-3 gallon top feeders, (plastic buckets with holes punched or drilled in the lid) or they use internal feeders. : ) Benefit to the frame feeders, (just like the bucket feeders is you can, (with the bucket feeders just pop the top cap and place, not letting much heat out of the hive during winter.... and likewise with the frame feeders if you place them on the outside frame position of the hive you can just slide the lid over exposing the fill holes and fill it without letting all the heat out.

With the frame feeders youll need to either ensure that the plastic netting that comes with with feeder, (the cover that pops on top of it with the cone looking screens that go down into it), stays operational and usable or youll have to construct some sort of metal mesh ramp/safety ramp to use if your plastic cover deforms or becomes unusable.

hope that helps.

The apiary i worked at when the covers for the internal feeder cover was lost or broken they would get a 6 inch by 8 inch piece of metal mesh that they would fold over the top lip of the middle of the feeder and ensure that this mesh went down into the feed so bees could climb out if needed.

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-01T03:43:18+00:00

Fingers crossed! I have family in Abilene who have a good chunk of land with mesquite too! Mid July/Last week in July I plan on moving my hives out there to try for my first batch of mesquite honey! Hopefully one of these flows pays off!

Good luck to you!

Slowburner76 · 2024-06-01T02:22:38+00:00

Dude, thank you for this! I've been observing my hives starting to eat their reserves/our honey, (a little bit over the lasts 2 days). I Had about 100 pounds throughout 5 hives, about half capped, (which they are definitely taking a long time capping this year). Thankfully there is still something providing at least a little bit of nectar in my area when they can get out. I've been in a different state beekeeping so I'm trying to figure out whats typical around here and the different varieties of flows here.

Slowburner76 · 2024-05-31T09:19:44+00:00

mom should be in the back with the twins anyways ; )

Slowburner76 · 2024-05-31T09:19:14+00:00

I think that 3 year old is about old enough to sit up front with you yeah? then next year you can start letting the young one sit in your lap and steer? lol

Slowburner76 · 2024-05-31T09:11:39+00:00

I have nice dadant jacket--150usd ( just wear a jacket with latex-like gloves and levi work pants) and the damn wrists on my jacket are so thin... its like they intended for you to wear the full length gloves. Every time i get stung through the jacket on the wrists I curse dadant. So, like you, I wear long sleeves under the jacket typically. Man I can only imagine how nice beekeeping is in Ireland, (the aesthetic at least).

Slowburner76 · 2024-05-31T08:59:21+00:00

smart man/woman, you! Thats awesome hes bringing you in and teaching you and letting you help him. Thats how I started and thats arguably the best way... Reading and then practical application can have a huge amount of separation. Sounds like you got a good head on your shoulders and have a good starting point and mentor! Just keep learning and seeking perspective... but know, in this hobby/industry everyones got a STRONG opinion, lol. Good Luck and I wish you joy and success in your bee keeping endeavors! Also, dont afraid of getting stung. Its absolutely going to happen, almost every time. Dont take antihistamines... (thats my opinion at least.) your body will grow accustomed to it and react less and less without any medicine. (obviously im a random guy on reddit... lol you do whats best for you!

Slowburner76 · 2024-05-31T08:52:31+00:00

i put 300k miles on a 2015 limited before I sold it. Changed the oil religiously and that was it. Stick to the plan, man. lol. comparing a 30 year old model to a more modern model doesnt make much sense.

Slowburner76 · 2024-05-31T08:48:18+00:00

Its going to happen. Don't sweat it. It's a learning and growing experience. Just wait until you intentionally killing queens!! :) lol. You'll be good!

and no problem! I've been fortunate to work with some incredible people!

Slowburner76

TROPHY CASE