beekeeping equipment list - what have we forgotten?

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beekeeping equipment list - what have we forgotten?
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alison
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Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 07 1:55 pm Post subject:

Yes, it is dead easy. roll up a broadsheet of newspaper, and sturr in smoker and light, closing a bit, to protect the flame. After a minute or so screw another sheet and put in too.

At this stage also put in a handful of the shavings, the same ones we use for the animal bedding. Close the smoker. Puff the smoker a few times, to get the air through. Add another handfull of shavings, the keep puffing once in a while to use.

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 07 1:58 pm Post subject:

alison wrote:

that sounds easy - funny how we're all shown different things. Our teacher swore by washed hessian and dried grass. But newspaper and bedding is what we've always got plenty of. We'll practise before we need to use it.

lottie

Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Posts: 5059
Location: ceredigion

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 07 2:10 pm Post subject:
You sound well equipped---pity you couldn't get the stuff at thornes when they've a sale on---cos it's not cheap is it? Are you going to set up your spare hive as a bait hive this season to see if you can get a free swarm? we've only been lucky once---enjoy your bees lottie

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 07 2:32 pm Post subject:

lottie wrote:

You sound well equipped---pity you couldn't get the stuff at thornes when they've a sale on---cos it's not cheap is it? Are you going to set up your spare hive as a bait hive this season to see if you can get a free swarm? we've only been lucky once---enjoy your bees lottie

it is something we're thinking about as a neighbour has bees in his chimney but we'd like to be a bit more experienced before we attempt that.

The hives were reconditioned so that's saved us a lot of money. I did look at Thornes sale but as far as I could see it was only specific things, none of which we needed. We did ask for money for Christmas which has also helped fund this and our bee suits were bought at the National Honey show so were reduced as well. But you're right its not a cheap hobby to set up.

lottie

Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Posts: 5059
Location: ceredigion

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 07 2:55 pm Post subject:
They've done well if they are still in his chimney----varroa seems to putting paid to the wild colonies--- we're hoping to get to the national on the friday this year for the lectures.

woodsprite

Joined: 20 Mar 2006
Posts: 2943
Location: North Herefordshire

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 07 5:48 pm Post subject:
We're starting beekeeping this year too. We bought two hives last year and have been steadily collecting the rest of the gear. We go on our beginners course at the end of the month and have spoken to a friend who's a bee farmer about having some of his bees. Can't wait! Woody

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 07 5:49 pm Post subject:

woodsprite wrote:

We're starting beekeeping this year too. We bought two hives last year and have been steadily collecting the rest of the gear. We go on our beginners course at the end of the month and have spoken to a friend who's a bee farmer about having some of his bees.
Can't wait!
Woody

its exciting Have you become a Bee Bore yet...

woodsprite

Joined: 20 Mar 2006
Posts: 2943
Location: North Herefordshire

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 07 5:56 pm Post subject:
Not me but my other half has!!! Its funny, we've kept all the big beasties over the years but we're in a small granary now with no room for anything but hens, ducks and geese. We couldn't keep bee's before because our youngest is very allergic to stings but he's left home now and the prospect of keeping bee's is very exciting. Its like getting a little of our old smallholding life back. Fabulous!

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 07 6:08 pm Post subject:

woodsprite wrote:

Not me but my other half has!!!

Its funny, we've kept all the big beasties over the years but we're in a small granary now with no room for anything but hens, ducks and geese. We couldn't keep bee's before because our youngest is very allergic to stings but he's left home now and the prospect of keeping bee's is very exciting. Its like getting a little of our old smallholding life back.
Fabulous!

good luck with your bees.

woodsprite

Joined: 20 Mar 2006
Posts: 2943
Location: North Herefordshire

Posted: Sat Mar 10, 07 4:12 pm Post subject:
Thanks Mrs F and the same to you!

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 07 9:41 am Post subject:
well we trotted off to Thornes of Windsor and got everything on the list. Tim is on the deck with the workmate making up frames as I type. I would say though that if you intend to give Thornes a personal visit in Windsor its not signposted in any way so sat nav is vital (its tucked down a tiny potholed drive behind some houses - very easy to miss!)

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 07 9:49 am Post subject:
Except that there is a bee hive outside!

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 07 10:03 am Post subject:

alison wrote:

Except that there is a bee hive outside!

which was the clue we went by, but it doesn't say Thornes on it and you could easily sail by.. Interesting place though.

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 07 10:07 am Post subject:
They are very helpful there too. I know what you mean though. We used to live about a mile away from there, and had no idea it was there at all.

deanom

Joined: 19 Apr 2006
Posts: 93
Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 07 7:12 pm Post subject: Thornes Sale
We're just down the road from the Wragby shop, and I managed to get almost all of my gear in the Sale. Couldn't afford a suit, as I went for a larger honey extractor, but I'm hoping to get one at the National. attended a great course for beginners last Autumn, and joined the local club, so I'm already having fun before the bees arrive. Regards Deano

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