Comments for Suburban Beekeeper

Comment on Quick hive supers update – a quick peek. by Nigel Phillips (twitter @nigelsbees)

Nigel Phillips (twitter @nigelsbees) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 18:32:54 +0000

Hi I have three hives one of which I made from an artificial swarm in late April. I noticed that there has been a slow down in stores since the end of June caused I think by the extremely dry weather affecting the amount of nectar in the flowers ! If this is the case I would assume that the resultant honey will be quite concentrated in flavours and aroma. Is there a means of measuring this I wonder? Cannot wait for the rain to hit Gloucestershire later this week which should provide a late flow for the girls.

Comment on A sad discovery and a question. by Bob

Bob — Tue, 31 May 2011 04:46:46 +0000

Your losses are our losses. Your acheivments are our acheivments. Lets experience them together

Comment on A sad discovery and a question. by Don

Don — Thu, 05 May 2011 02:34:45 +0000

Whether you continue the podcast and website depends upon whether you enjoy educating people about beekeeping. I became interested in beekeeping about one year ago and your package installation video was among the first items I saw on the internet regarding this hobby. I decided to become a beekeeper in the summer of last year and am anxiously awaiting my first two packages, which should arrive this weekend. I think you probably influenced more people than you think. As far as losing your hive is concerned, at my short course, one of the teachers said that even if you lose your hive(s) the first year, if your bees produce lots of drawn comb, you are considered a success.

Comment on A sad discovery and a question. by Mike

Mike — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:21:07 +0000

Great website you have here. Don’t give up!

A friend of mine in NH lost his bees this past winter, too. The long, intense cold was just too much for some hives. But that’s nature’s way… the descendants of surviving hives will be hardier and more likely to endure future storms.

Comment on A sad discovery and a question. by Karma

Karma — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 03:31:36 +0000

Will,

I’m new to beekeeping and found your site through a Google search. Your link to the honey laundering article has helped me in researching topics to include in a persuasive speech I’m giving for a college-level communications class on the benefits of suburban beekeeping.

I believe the value I’ve received just by visiting your site once is worth a lot. Please don’t quit!

Your bees loved you as much as you loved them. Keep going and share the love with another colony. The world needs more bees, help make that happen!

In the future, beekeeping newbies like me will need your expertise. Thank you for your honesty and knowledge.

Karma

Comment on A sad discovery and a question. by Gary Fawcett

Gary Fawcett — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:39:54 +0000

Hi Will,

Sorry to hear about your hive, I know how you feel as we lost a hive last winter in New Zealand as well.

We do the best we can in providing our bees a sealed and dry home and we did learn some things from our loss, the hive had some gaps in between the boxes. The bees didn’t have enough time left in the season to fill these up.

This winter we are going to seal the boxes with masking tape and ensure that we don’t crack open the bees propolis seals.

I enjoyed your podcast and it would be sad if it ended, sometimes the best teacher is experience. But remember Will the bees are wild animals and things sometimes happen out side our control.

Keep smiling….Gary

Comment on A sad discovery and a question. by Jerry

Jerry — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:32:03 +0000

From Peru…”Keep On Keeping On”…”Onward Thru the Fog” Oat Willie

Comment on A sad discovery and a question. by Bob Soltys

Bob Soltys — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:57:36 +0000

Hi Will,

Sorry about your hive. You are not alone – mine did not survive either. Order a new package of bees and install them, and continue to share what you learn. “Experience is the name we give to our mistakes.” So yes, you can add value, and if at first you didn’t succeed, try again.

Best,

Bob

Comment on A sad discovery and a question. by Mil

Mil — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:53:07 +0000

Hi Will,
I can understand how you feel. We lost two of our four hives over the winter. We had made mistakes with not feeding them, and so we felt bad about that.

Yes, you can add value by sharing your mistakes! My master beekeeper teacher, Serge Labesque, always told us that he had made so many mistakes when he started out with the bees.

You sound like a passionate beekeeper and we need all the good beekeepers out there to help save them, so vote yes, Will, keep going with the bees.

Best wishes,
Mil

Comment on A winter visit- pics and update by Chris Miller

Chris Miller — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:37:00 +0000

Have been listening to your podcasts on the Ipod on the way back and forth to work. my new bees arrive on Monday (my hive from last year did not survive the long New Hampshire winter). My wife and I loved having the bees by our gardens last year…we are intent on getting the new hive through this year. We learned some lessons (found a good local bee school and club)and are starting the new hive with lots of drawn comb and honey from last year’s girls.
I have found your podcasts and web site to be helpful….much appreciated.

Chris
Concord, NH