Why My DIY BEE HIVE BUILD Is Better Than Yours!

[@marywest1275]

Call your local extension agent for your county. Extension Agents are usually associated with the State University in your area. Like the University of Tennessee, the University of NC, etc. Extension agents can refer you to bee keepers. Most bee keepers are in a Bee Keepers Association in your county. Good luck.

[@carrollrhodes4050]

Hello Flower Guy: You are doing great! Just a few suggestions. Yes, the 10 frame hive is the most used bee hive in beekeeping. It is called the Langstroth hive. Named after Rev. Langstroth who was able to optimize the number of bees in a box to produce the most honey without swarming, in his local. The concept of bee space was first promulgated by beekeepers utilizing the 10 frame box. The eight frame box is ok but you will have to pay more attention to it. You held a little bag of nails up. The longer of the two are frame nails and the small ones are wedge nails. You used the correct nails on your brood box. The holes on your frame end bars are for foundation retainers. Years ago there would be a grommet placed in the hole and wire would be strung through them. (It was hard work and the wire had to be embedded in the wireless foundation!) The honey frames you have will hold about 7 to 10 pounds of honey each. There are available inserts for closing off the screen bottom. Also you will soon learn about mites and there are sticky pads that fit exactly. The first top you put on, with the hand hold (not) in the middle is the inner cover. The cover with the sheet metal on it is a telescoping cover. You do have the wrong nails in the frames. You should have ten of the longer nails in the frames! Each. Total 8frames.....80nails eight frame box! Two in the top and bottom at each end bar...8nails....now two brace nails into the top bar and bottom bar...one each...total 10 nails for one frame. (If you are half the beekeeper that I THINK you are going to be you will find a nail gun that shoots 1 1/2 inch brads!) The foundation that you have is black plastic foundation. I looked at your top bars and you do not have wedges for your foundation. You do not need those small nails until you order some wired foundation and WEDGED TOP BARS. [e-mail]

[@WindyBrookRidgeHomestead]

Wow! That is some helpful information! I appreciate all of that. I did change the nails out. I was so glad I had done that.

[@carrollrhodes4050]

@@WindyBrookRidgeHomestead Did you get your bees? I hope that you painted the outside of all the wood. Don't paint inside where the bees will be. You were concerned about glue for the super frames. Don't because in the future you will be taking those frames apart as you repair and use them in an extractor. You are lucky that you got the correct frames. Your frames are "Illinois" frames. They are not shallow, medium nor deep! If you order from some of the other companies, Dadant, Mann Lake, etc. and they have some pretty aggressive sales people. Sounds like Miller is a good one. Remember when you order honey super frames, know the width of the frame and the word "Illinois"! If you haven't ordered other personal equipment, the minimum that you need will be a veil, hive tool, bee brush, smoker and gloves. But be careful about the equipment you order. There are some really expensive "stuff" out there. Get the minimum. Don't buy smoker fuel. Use pine needles. The best youtube guy to watch is Tennessee's Bees. Kamon Reynolds. If I can help you in any way, I will. E-mail is usually best. I check once in morning and once in the evening. Where are you getting your bees?

[@Frank5921]

Congratulations on the beehive builds. Your doing great. Can't wait till you get the bees. Just don't forget your bee suite. Your going to need it. And please make sure you or wife, and kids aren't allergic to bee stings. This is always something to consider while becoming a beekeeper. If you can get your Dr to prescribed an EpiPen just in case someone has anaphylactic shock from a bees sting.

[@heatherj3030]

The bees are going to love all the flowers!

[@sarafranklin3500]

My first year with bees too. So much to learn!

[@WindyBrookRidgeHomestead]

You can do it! I am a little nervous about it.

[@heavymechanic2]

The holes are intended to string wire to support natural wax foundation, the plastic sheets have made it simple to build frames. I use wood glue and a stapler to assemble the frames.

[@fatimaperez9181]

It’s going to be great for your flowers and everything else your growing

[@WindyBrookRidgeHomestead]

Thank you for supporting the family.

[@nikkiholton6318]

Good luck with the bees. I hope itbgoes great

[@stewsstructures83]

Bees are a great addition to any horticultural business . I like having many baskets collecting inputs for life in general. Its another learning curve . I like being a student of everything !!! Good luck on this adventure !!!

[@WindyBrookRidgeHomestead]

Well said! Thanks!

[@tylersanders2703]

I'd definitely glue the frames, they get pretty heavy, pretty fast. Holes in the frames are to run wire for foundationless.

[@WindyBrookRidgeHomestead]

Good tip!

[@TheBHiveHomestead]

congrats on getting bees. they are fun for sure

[@stewsstructures83]

Added comment ..... The holes in the side of the frames are to put something in to keep the wax parallel with the frame and keep it from warping in the heat . You can use nails ,, They also make a split type of metal clip like a nail to put in that the wax is slid into. You can just use the nails and stager which side of the wax they are on .

[@tylersanders2703]

Also you can run wire and not put in foundation, if you'd like to be able to harvest cut comb sections.

[@tammysarrazin7078]

great job making the bee boxes but i dont know anything about them but i love the honey i get its raw honey off a friends farm they have the best lol hugssssss

[@iowaviking]

Should try horizontal hives. Easier to manage.

[@WindyBrookRidgeHomestead]

I will look into it;)

[@nikkiholton6318]

What are you planting out at your house ?? More dahlias ?

[@WindyBrookRidgeHomestead]

MORE DAHLIAS! Maybe 10 other types of flowers too! Just to have as extra.

[@shelbyhensley8660]

I.m curious.all the bee hives I see in Florida.the out sides are white are the outsides being painted to protect the wood or maybe keep the hives cooler in the heat down here.I.m in NORTH Central Florida about 30 minutes inland from Daytona on the saint johns river in. A place called Pierson fl.about a mile from Astor fl.

[@WindyBrookRidgeHomestead]

I bet it is pretty down there! I was just in Miami a few days ago checking out some new ideas for flower growing!

[@julieknowles7063]

I'm very surprised there were no construction instructions included with your beehives. You need to contact the supliers.

[@WindyBrookRidgeHomestead]

I know !

[@marthaduffy8386]

Are you still growing dahlias at the other places you did last year this year too?

[@WindyBrookRidgeHomestead]

This year I am growing in the hoophouse that is 2,700 sq ft intense growing space. Also, I am growing on the hill above my house. I also am doing alot more foraging this year. Trying to figure out if I will be growing again this upcoming winter!

[@Rievven]

I'm guessing it brings all the boys to the yard.

[@WindyBrookRidgeHomestead]

HAHA

[@fatimaperez9181]

Frames

[@Julie-bq6iz]

Frames.