Thanks for your response, Brian, I appreciate any advice I can get. And what you say makes sense. Especially about having a chair handy near the hives. Exactly what I will do when I get going. Didnt get back to the forum as soon as I had planned so my replies are quite a bit delayed.
I had planned to do the 8 frame hves if at all possible. Likely, if I buy the first couple of hives from a beekeeper here in Colorado there is a good chance they will be 10 frame, but for the first couple I guess I can live with that unless I get awful lucky. Got a guy who has several for sale so I have emailed him and will see what happens.
I have several carts that I can use, but I have a question. How do the bees react to ATV engines as a rule? Not talking about driving right up to the hive but within 50 to 100 feet. I use an ATV on the place since I have difficulty walking very far sometimes. So there will be times that I will need to use the ATV when working the hives I imagine. I do have an electric cart as well, but depends on the location. Its not designed for off road use or pasture use.
I have been wanting bees for years, but didnt get any, I guess mainly because I didnt feel confident and just didnt know how to get started. So I have been doing alot of research, reading, and now just talking to folks like here on the forum. So the more I can learn the better.
If you are located within a couple hundred miles of me and have several good hives/bees that you would like to get rid of or know of someone who has some hives and bees, please email me or reply here. I am serious.
Thanks
I too am disabled so I'll give you the benefit of my experience.
Use all medium boxes, they will weigh 1/2 of what a deep box will. The equipment will cost you about 1/3 more but you'll make up for that in saved doctor bills.
Use 8 frame boxes, they are narrower and that makes them both lighter yet, and easier to handle because the balance point is closer to the body.
Keep a chair handy in the bee yard. It will give you a place to catch your breath and fight of the pain as well as a ring side seat to observing the wonders of bees.
For moving things around use a hand truck or garden cart. I put all the things I'm going toneed in the garden cart and pull it out to the be yard, in the fall, when harvesting the reverse is true. Pulling is much easier on a bad back than carrying.
Now have fun with those bees.
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