Hey, honey.....

[Timco]

Finished this last night, finally.

Hive split this year. My fault.

[Bootlegger]

Time to make some mead! I have 5 gallons of raspberry I need to bottle this weekend. Looks like a decent harvest.

[Porsche9]

That's a lot of honey!

[Timco]

Originally Posted by Porsche9

That's a lot of honey!

Last year was almost twice that. This year I didn't check them frequent enough and waited too long to add another super and they split. Too bad.

[Jamesp]

Is it true that if anyone within 3 counties of you gets stung it's one of your bees?

[Porsche9]

Originally Posted by Timco

Last year was almost twice that. This year I didn't check them frequent enough and waited too long to add another super and they split. Too bad.

You eat it all yourself?

You have any problems with the hive dieing off? If you believe everything you read bees dieing off is a huge problem. Here in Arizona I've had several unwelcome hives at the house. I've felt bad about it to the point I actual found someone that moves them instead of exterminating them. Costs more but felt it was worth it.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by Jamesp

Is it true that if anyone within 3 counties of you gets stung it's one of your bees?

Yes, and for the record, I'm stung 2-3 times a year. This year it was on my lower lip.

I ran away, pulled it off, tripped on my own foot, skinned my knee on my sidewalk, and skidded across the lawn.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by Porsche9

You eat it all yourself?

You have any problems with the hive dieing off? If you believe everything you read bees dieing off is a huge problem. Here in Arizona I've had several unwelcome hives at the house. I've felt bad about it to the point I actual found someone that moves them instead of exterminating them. Costs more but felt it was worth it.

We still have 15 quarts on the shelf which is a mix of the last two years, which were 45lbs & 55lbs. We eat it and give a lot away to family & friends. It's cool stuff and tastes great. Inner city honey! We are by the U and bees have a 3-mile radius range so they're all over the U and east of that even.

If the hive dies, it's my fault. They are set up just right for brood space and winter food (honey) and blanks on the outside for insulation. If they split like they did this year, it's my fault. I should have checked them more often and added a super earlier.

As a single hive keeper, it's easy to manipulate them and keep them healthy.

'Unwanted' bees are worth $150+ as a working hive here. That's why there's dozens of people that will get them for free. If a scout bee thinks your siding has a large enough cavity, and smells like bees have used it before, they will always use it. It needs to be sealed up.

[Coffinhunter]

Originally Posted by Timco

Yes, and for the record, I'm stung 2-3 times a year. This year it was on my lower lip.

I ran away, pulled it off, tripped on my own foot, skinned my knee on my sidewalk, and skidded across the lawn.

Lucky you. If it happened to me, time for an epi-pen, a trip to the hospital, or a casket.

[jpc763]

Originally Posted by Timco

If they split like they did this year, it's my fault. I should have checked them more often and added a super earlier.

What does this mean? Does it mean that half your bees took off and started a hive somewhere else? Also, what is a "super"?

[Timco]

Originally Posted by jpc763

What does this mean? Does it mean that half your bees took off and started a hive somewhere else? Also, what is a "super"?

When they split, a swarm with about 60% of your bees leaves to start another colony.

A super has 10) 2-sided frames that the comb is made on and filled with honey.