I am taking the beekeeping course this year. I have ordered two packages of bees. I feel overwhelmed with the choices to buy hives.
I decided on medium supers after lifting them in class, but I have no idea on who to order from, when I should order, how many super boxes I will need the first year, etc. Basically, I need a good kick in the pants to get me going! Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
I would suggest at least 3 medium boxes per hive and a top feeder for each. (More mediums would be better just in case your bees really take off.) You will need to be feeding your packages to get them to draw out comb and hive top feeders lessen the chances of robbing.
If you are even marginally handy with glue, nails, and a paint brush, you can save a lot by ordering unassembled commercial grade mediums from Brushy Mountain or possibly Dadant. I sent in the beginners class information for the Brushy Mountain free shipping offer ($100.00 minimum, no glass or truck wares) this morning, so if you are not up for a drive that may be an option to explore. If you are going with assembled equipment, shop around. Check our sticky board for local suppliers and check Brushy and Dadant as major suppliers within driving distance.
You can never have too much stuff. Historically, once the flow starts (somewhere around mid-April here) people realize they need more supers, more frames and more foundation and the suppliers are back ordered.
Get your stuff now. Put it together and get comfortable with the feel of it.
We are giving the written test tonight at the class, but NEXT Thursday, Marc Stadiem, Norma Smith, and I will be at the Ag Center at 7:00 pm with lots of wooden ware, equipment, etc., and ready to answer questions.
I think I am going to have to disagree with myself and go with a minimum of 4 mediums per hive. The 3 mediums would equal 1 deep and 1 medium, which is the standard brood area for our part of the country. 1 more medium for honey/sugar water honey would be warranted. If the bees do well, you may have to add more later in the season, and if they do not build up as much as you like, the supers will be used in the future.
And I'm going to have to ask you to go back to agreeing with your first post. 3 mediums equal 2 deeps, which is enough to get 90% of packages through the first year. Also, if finances are in consideration, the different in the price of the fourth super and a super purchased later locally, ready to use, is not enough to warrant buying it at this time.
I would go with 3 mediums per hive and investigate the possible sources for future woodenware between now and when it is needed.
It wasn't quite warm enough today for me to get my shoes off and have my toes available for the higher math involved. 3 mediums equal 2 deeps according to my finger AND toe calculations.
Didn't the Triad Bee Supply representative say they would match the no shipping costs offer? My head was swimming with too much information. I am going to buy my supers un-assembled. I thought for the work involved, I would be able to deal with the assembly.
I'm not sure that Triad offers unassembled equipment. You can get their number off our wanted/for sale section of the forum and call or ask them, or ask Keith Thursday night if you are coming to the bonus session at the Ag Center. The session will be a good opportunity for you to examine equipment and put questions to beekeepers who are close enough to starting beekeeping to remember what that was like (me included) but have enough experience to have dealt with a number of issues involving different types of equipment.
You are on the free shipping list I sent to Brushy Mountain, and I received an acknowledgment from them that they received it. If your household hasn't ordered from Brushy before, your order is over $100.00, no glass ware or truck orders, and you identify yourself and they verify you as a member of our 2011 class, you should get free shipping. Dadant also sells unassembled equipment and it is an easy drive to Chatham, VA to pick up items.
If you are coming to the bonus session Thursday night, you will be able to see and examine equipment, ask questions, and Keith from Triad will be there so that you can ask him what they do have.
Thanks for the information. I will be at the last session. Luckily for me, two people I went to high school with are in the GCBA. It was pretty surprising, but I am glad that everyone is being so helpful. Yes, I will be asking lots of questions next time!!!
