Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => TOP BAR HIVES - WARRE HIVES - LONG HIVES => Topic started by: TapStoneBees on April 29, 2008, 11:14:13 pm

Title: Installing Bees in a TBH
Post by: TapStoneBees on April 29, 2008, 11:14:13 pm

Hello there Beekeepers,

Wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to install bees into a TBH and where do you put the Sugar Syrup for the new gals.

Have a TBH that I built and I wanted to try it out, but wasn't too successful in finding info on the installation of bees technique.

Any information would as always be greatly appreciated.

Have a Great Day,
JT

Title: Re: Installing Bees in a TBH
Post by: Michael Bush on May 01, 2008, 08:03:53 am

Shake them in.  Release the queen into the hive.  Put some baggie feeders on the bottom.

http://www.beesource.com/eob/baggie.htm

Title: Re: Installing Bees in a TBH
Post by: rich on January 30, 2009, 05:01:27 am

Hi,

I am also starting a TBH in March. How should I position the queen cage? I am building the TBH that Michael Bush has on his website (Thanks a lot!).
Hang it from a top bar or just put it on the floor?
Also, these are all new hives, so will the bees be OK with just empty top bars and baggie feeders?

Thanks.

Title: Re: Installing Bees in a TBH
Post by: Michael Bush on January 30, 2009, 07:08:17 am

>I am also starting a TBH in March. How should I position the queen cage?

Empty and in your pocket.  Dump in the bees let them start to cluster a bit.  Then direct release the queen into the hive (careful that she can only fly down).  Put the cage in your pocket.  If you put it in the hive you will risk them starting all their comb off of the cage and getting it messed up.

> I am building the TBH that Michael Bush has on his website (Thanks a lot!).

You're welcome.

>Hang it from a top bar or just put it on the floor?

Neither.  Let her go.

>Also, these are all new hives, so will the bees be OK with just empty top bars and baggie feeders?

It's more than they have in a hollow tree and they do fine.

Title: Re: Installing Bees in a TBH
Post by: watercarving on February 07, 2009, 05:49:16 pm

I'm starting my second year as a beek and did TBHs. I was full of questions and found that between the help I found online and just watching the bees I'd do ok. I had two hives. Lost 1 and the other is doing incredibly well. Stunk to lose one but I also learned a lot.

Sounds like you're going to be fine. You're getting good advice.