The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Bees & Beekeeping => Topic started by: Flowers Farm on August 23, 2012, 03:31:21 pm

Title: Is it too late to get some Bees's and start a Hive
Post by: Flowers Farm on August 23, 2012, 03:31:21 pm

Just wondering if I should start now or wait until next year.

Title: Re: Is it too late to get some Bees's and start a Hive
Post by: Bionic on August 23, 2012, 04:28:19 pm

You need the bees to be well establiished and build some stores before we get some colder weather so I wouldn't advise getting bees now.  Mind you I am a novice at it and someone more experienced might tell you differently.
Most bee clubs have courses over the winter when there isn't a lot going on so if you are a novice this would be a good way to keep the enthusiasm going and to meet like minded people.
Sally

Title: Re: Is it too late to get some Bees's and start a Hive
Post by: Sudanpan on August 23, 2012, 05:55:13 pm

If you have not had bees before I would thoroughly recommend doing a beekeeping course and joining your local beekeepers assoc.

If you get a colony now you do run the risk of the colony not surviving the winter. You would need to be very confident that they had enough stores, the queen was not too old and they had been treated for varroa (or you would need to treat them) to give them the best chance. The plus point would be that you would then have a colony that should, theoretically, be ready to get going for next year and be in a position to give you a surplus of honey.


Alternatively reserve yourself a colony first thing next spring from a fellow experienced beekeeper - some will do this and make sure that the colony is viable for you next spring. As you can imagine the cost of such a colony would be more expensive than one now (if there are any available in the first place) because of the reduced risk you are taking.


I got my first bees this year - in June. The weather has been so sh1te that quite a few of the beekeepers in the assoc are not able to take off any honey - me included  :(  I am hoping that I will get my colony through the winter so that they have a chance of getting going in the spring next year.

Title: Re: Is it too late to get some Bees's and start a Hive
Post by: HesterF on August 27, 2012, 11:10:20 pm

I'm planning to start in the spring so I'm going on a course now and will go to the local beekeepers meets through the winter, set all the stuff up and get the bees in in May time. Most of those on my course are in the same position. From the little I've learnt so far, it would be tough to start with a nucleus at this time of year with the hope they'd get through the winter because they'll have missed most of the pollen/nectar for this year and the queen will be cutting back on laying as well so they'll have no food and no workers to collect it either.

H

Title: Re: Is it too late to get some Bees's and start a Hive
Post by: Beewyched on August 27, 2012, 11:23:18 pm

I echo what has already been posted above.  It's been a bad year for the  :bee: :bee: :bee:

Title: Re: Is it too late to get some Bees's and start a Hive
Post by: Bionic on August 28, 2012, 08:14:10 am

Hester,
I think your approach is exactly right.  Enjoy your course in the winter and good luck when you start with the bees in spring.
Sally

Title: Re: Is it too late to get some Bees's and start a Hive
Post by: Flowers Farm on August 28, 2012, 11:00:51 am

Thank you all for your sound advice, I will wait until next year and attend a Bee Keeping Course over the Winter and join my local club.

So glad I reached out.

Excellent site this

Thanks everyone

Title: Re: Is it too late to get some Bees's and start a Hive
Post by: Rosemary on August 28, 2012, 12:23:19 pm

We've just got a six frame nuc from another beekeeper - that give us two hives. We had re-queen the first one. They'll need fed until spring but hopefully next year will be better  :fc:

Title: Re: Is it too late to get some Bees's and start a Hive
Post by: Plantoid on August 29, 2012, 11:04:02 pm

You should also be in line for a local beekeeping effects and apparatus winter and spring auction  where you can get set up cheaply with " well used gear " .

Title: Re: Is it too late to get some Bees's and start a Hive
Post by: Small Farmer on August 30, 2012, 12:12:55 am

OH runs the local BKA education and is pretty worried for next year because it's been such a lousy year.  Getting enough colonies through winter is a fingers crossed exercise