Man, what a rush! I picked up my package of bees today and installed them. My wife and daughter video taped the event while my great-aunt (grandmother's sister) was my helper. After all the books, magazines, videos, internet posts, there was nothing that could have prepared me for the actual event. I understand so much more now but have so many more questions.
First thing I would like to pass on to beginners who've bought the basic starter kits from any of the beekeeping supply companies: TOSS OUT THE ALEXANDER VALE! Man that thing is bad. Worked great for a helper, but it kept falling in my face. I'm really glad I picked up a folding vale and hat while I was at the beekeeping supply place getting my package.
I don't have a way to copy my camcorder video to my computer yet but I'll post the movie once it's available. We did take a pic of me with the digital cam of me and my daughter with the package. I'll post that once I scale it down a little.
I saw a post on here about bee poop not to long ago and I had a similar issue. My clothes, the hive, everything was covered in this yellow/orange poop (I'm color blind, I'm guessing). The difference here was I hadn't fed them any syrup besides what I lightly sprayed on the screen and this was a new package. Was it because they were all locked up in the box for so long, they just needed to stretch their wings and go #2? Or is something wrong?
They sure didn't seem sick, man they were agressive! I was under serious attack, got stung twice, but I kept my cool and everything went awesome! I also understand why they make zippered vales now too!!! Get one of them buggers under your hat and WHOO HOO!!! :-)
I'm very excited about this adventure and I have all of you on this board to thank. Everyone has been such an awesome help here. Be expecting many more questions and concerns as I go a long. :-)
Blessings,
Sean Kelly