Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

MEMBER BULLETIN BOARD => GREETINGS/TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF => Topic started by: Skaynopoyos on July 03, 2011, 12:42:06 pm

Title: Newbie
Post by: Skaynopoyos on July 03, 2011, 12:42:06 pm

I am really interested in beekeeping as a hobby and maybe more.

I have built two top-bar bee hives and they are ready for occupancy. I need to get two Carniolan nucs (haven't found anywhere to buy them). I would try to use feral hives but after talking to a local bee keeper he says that 75% of the ferals are Aricanized in central Texas. We have too many visitors around to use Africanized bees. I plan to re-queen every year to keep my hive Carniolan.

I don't know where to buy the Carniolan nucs and I don't know how to transfer them to the top-bars after I do get them. I am VERY open to suggestions.

Thanks.

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: Jim134 on July 03, 2011, 01:03:29 pm

Do not use top bar hives !!!


   BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: iddee on July 03, 2011, 01:17:50 pm

Get the ferals and then requeen with carnies.

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: AllenF on July 03, 2011, 01:56:39 pm

Welcome to the forum

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: lynnedot50 on July 04, 2011, 05:33:07 am

Hello everyone


Welcome to the best forum in town    :mrgreen:

 :) :)

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: BjornBee on July 04, 2011, 06:39:52 am

For most TBH's, it is difficult to transfer over a nuc. Your best bet is a swarm or a purchased package.

There are many who keep TBH. I have a few. It is just another form of beekeeping. Some folks have a problem no matter how you keep bees. (large cell foundation, plastic foundation, something other than a Warre, if you feed sugar, if you smoke, etc.) The list includes every management style, and every piece of equipment. So don't let the less than supportive comments impact your decision. Beekeeping is great no matter how you keep bees.  ;)   

Here is some information and our experiences with TBH.....

http://www.bjornapiaries.com/topbarbeekeeping.html (http://www.bjornapiaries.com/topbarbeekeeping.html)

Welcome to beekeeping!

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: mikecva on July 04, 2011, 08:32:31 am

Welcome to the forum   :cheer:   -Mike

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: Skaynopoyos on July 05, 2011, 03:04:39 pm

BjornBee,

I thought about using the ferals then re-queening but I have read that they may not take to the Carniolan queen very well. Also there is a chance that the hive could attack some unsuspecting victim due to the fact that 75% of ferals in our area are probably africanized.

Thanks for the good conversation BjornBee.

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: apislover on July 05, 2011, 10:40:21 pm

From one new bee to another, welcome.  I look forward to discussing TBH techniques with you and also agree to not be discouraged by the less than supportive feedback.  There are challenges to every form of beekeeping. 

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: Skaynopoyos on July 05, 2011, 11:53:27 pm

Also if I do use a feral hive how do I transplant the hive into a TBH?

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: Francus on July 06, 2011, 10:27:45 am

Hello! It's a great hobbie! I just started this year and am having a lot of fun with the bees.