Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => NATURAL & ORGANIC BEEKEEPING METHODS => Topic started by: GLOCK on April 11, 2010, 11:12:42 am

Title: New hives
Post by: GLOCK on April 11, 2010, 11:12:42 am
Should i do anything with my new hives? This is my first year of beekeeping and my bee's will be here in like two weeks and was thinking i've read i should coat the insides with sunflower oil or lemon grass oil .I know i read this some where but now i can't seem to find the read on it.I would like to keep it as natural as possible .I've been trolling the forum and can't come up with anything. So if someone would like to help me out that would be cool.
I live in the north east and i sure would like to make strong healthy bees .
I've read 3 books and many hours on the internet.
I have the LANGSTROTH HIVES. Is there any thing i should be doing before my bee's get here?
I have the hives set up a FORTRUST  around them  to keep the bears out.{i live in the country}
thank you.
Title: Re: New hives
Post by: Michael Bush on April 11, 2010, 11:32:43 am
I would just put bees in them... but you can paint the outsides if you like.
Title: Re: New hives
Post by: JP on April 11, 2010, 04:58:19 pm
As Michael said just put the bees in. Paint the exterior of your hives with an exterior latex, if pine at least two good coats. Paint, let dry at least two-three days then add the bees.

No need to place lemongrass oil.


...JP
Title: THANK YOU
Post by: GLOCK on April 11, 2010, 07:00:45 pm
Thanks guys  i just want to cover all the bases. I'm pretty pumped .
This is something i been wanting to do for over ten years.
I have the time now and would love to have bee's in my life plus i'm a homesteader and try to grow alot of my own food so i have alot of gardens.
So you know bee's will be a plus.
peace.
Title: Re: New hives
Post by: luvin honey on April 12, 2010, 12:27:21 am
Welcome, Glock! It sounds like you are in for a wonderful adventure, and a long-awaited one, too! We try to "homestead" as much as possible here, and it's been delightful to add bees to the mix. We've enjoyed a bit of their honey, made balm and soap with their wax and are tickled when they pollinate our crops.

So, best wishes. I would strongly suggest reading Michael Bush's website and everything you can get your hands on in this forum. The nice part about going natural is that it appears to be much simpler than not doing so.

Best wishes!