Post by RSkelton on Jun 22, 2013 13:56:52 GMT -7
Hi all.
So it has been an interesting experience for my first year of beekeeping. I'm from the Sweet Home area, posses 2 hives, and many questions.
I began with two packages that were both really docile, one slightly more than the other. I was a bit late placing the honey super on the #2 hive. It produced swarm cells, only one was capped. I removed the cells and performed a technique I had heard of by shaking out the bees in front of the hive in order to get the swarm instinct out of they’re heads rather than a split. It seemed to work, but about 30,000 bees moved to the #1 hive and still remain there.
About this time both hives became rather aggressive. 3-4 weeks passed and the #2 hive actually swarmed. (A couple days ago) I trailed them but sadly lost them. I have not inspected the #2 hive to ensure that a replacement queen is being reared, do to a rather nasty sting I received that has swollen up my arm.
Since the #1 hive was, and is substantially stronger should I attempt a split to repopulate the #2 hive for the winter?
OR
I am still hoping for a honey crop. Can the split wait for a time? If so then when?
Feeding. My bees consume 1 gallon of 1:1 sugar syrup everyday. Is this normal? They are filling the honey super with sugar water honey. I am not sure if there is substantial nectar in my area (mostly rural) and could that be why they are aggressive?
The bees lately have become very angry. The hives are near the edge of my garden. They will come and attack my family if we approach the garden. (About 50 feet away). Considerations why they are angry: Have I entered the hive too frequently? (every 7-14 days) Or because of a lack of nectar in the area? I am considering moving them, but the new home is about 300 feet away. (could take a while at 3 feet/day)
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
So it has been an interesting experience for my first year of beekeeping. I'm from the Sweet Home area, posses 2 hives, and many questions.
I began with two packages that were both really docile, one slightly more than the other. I was a bit late placing the honey super on the #2 hive. It produced swarm cells, only one was capped. I removed the cells and performed a technique I had heard of by shaking out the bees in front of the hive in order to get the swarm instinct out of they’re heads rather than a split. It seemed to work, but about 30,000 bees moved to the #1 hive and still remain there.
About this time both hives became rather aggressive. 3-4 weeks passed and the #2 hive actually swarmed. (A couple days ago) I trailed them but sadly lost them. I have not inspected the #2 hive to ensure that a replacement queen is being reared, do to a rather nasty sting I received that has swollen up my arm.
Since the #1 hive was, and is substantially stronger should I attempt a split to repopulate the #2 hive for the winter?
OR
I am still hoping for a honey crop. Can the split wait for a time? If so then when?
Feeding. My bees consume 1 gallon of 1:1 sugar syrup everyday. Is this normal? They are filling the honey super with sugar water honey. I am not sure if there is substantial nectar in my area (mostly rural) and could that be why they are aggressive?
The bees lately have become very angry. The hives are near the edge of my garden. They will come and attack my family if we approach the garden. (About 50 feet away). Considerations why they are angry: Have I entered the hive too frequently? (every 7-14 days) Or because of a lack of nectar in the area? I am considering moving them, but the new home is about 300 feet away. (could take a while at 3 feet/day)
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.