Fringe beekeeping?

[Timw]

Well I know I’m out on a limb here - but still working Warres - and really enjoying them and a TBH. I started with the TBH and after buying Warres from Nick Holmes several years back actually have been making my own. 2 swarms collected on consecutive Mondays and by day 12 the first one into the Warre building very nicely. I can report a lucky escape - melting wax on the gas hob and got distracted. Boiled over with wax all over the hob and down the front of the oven. Fortunately wife at work. Brilliantly solved with judicial use of the heat gun and a roll of paper towels!

 

[Dansar]

Warre are fun to use. Every year for the past 6 or 7 I have promised myself I will repopulate the Warre hive sitting in the back of the shed. Hasn’t happened yet 🤣

 

[Timw]

Warre are fun to use. Every year for the past 6 or 7 I have promised myself I will repopulate the Warre hive sitting in the back of the shed. Hasn’t happened yet 🤣

Come on back to the fringe @Dansar

 

[Timw]

And as a change from the C19 discussion- off to house a small swarm in one of my whacko Warres! If you don’t have four wheels two will do!

 

[Mummzie]

I would be interested in why you favour Warre hives.

 

[Timw]

I would be interested in why you favour Warre hives.

Hi @Mummzie - I hesitate to get into this as there’s a very pro Lang community here and a somewhat negative reaction to “alternative “ hives. I started with a topbar about 5 years ago as we have a small urban property and don’t have a car. I’d been reading about

 

[Timw]

Hi @Mummzie - I hesitate to get into this as there’s a very pro Lang community here and a somewhat negative reaction to “alternative “ hives. I started with a topbar about 5 years ago as we have a small urban property and don’t have a car. I’d been reading about “Balanced” beekeeping- Phil Chandler and others and as I was primarily interested in the plight of bees and lack of them in our garden - v honey production - I got the TBH - it on the front deck - I went out and caught a swarm and was hooked. I wanted another hive but the TBH take space. I then met Nick Holmes - an arborist beek - who came to prune our trees. He made Warres. He is a fascinating person- remarkably knowledgeable - you can google an RNZ interview. He explained the Warre and it’s in principle similarity to the TBH - natural comb building and proximity to a natural hive - smaller cavity. I bought one from him and then another then made a few myself. (Just one at home - others with friends nearby). I’d read a lot more - Thomas Sealy, Bill Anderson, Eva Crane, and was encouraged by a couple of supportive comments on nz bees and Carol at the bee club (swimmers against the tide). I had one bad cross comb experience early on that caused anguish but persevered. I get enough honey for the wha Mau and leave most for the bees. I’m amazed by these creatures and - as many on this forum have said - it’s a long learning curve. I happy balance to the cardiac OR!

 

[Timw]

Excuse the typos - from phone, fat finger

 

[yesbut]

I'm running a supernuc for fun.....currently three 3/4 6-frame boxes....in plan area it's a whisker smaller than a warre but takes the usual frames..

 

[Mummzie]

I hesitate to get into this as there’s a very pro Lang community here and a somewhat negative reaction to “alternative “ hives.

This online forum community has mellowed somewhat, and I would like to encourage you to present your experiences.
You will be commenting from a position of experience and able to create positive interest.
I for one am here because of a serious bee addiction developed because of wanting bees for my garden. There is commercial beekeeping- and recreational beekeeping. Their methods don't have to be the same, the desired results are different, but in common they have the health of the colony.

 

[Josh]

If nothing else the Warre hives look cool. I don’t know anything about their method/philosophy.

But I’m a sucker for the classics. I also like the WBC hive

 

[Dansar]

I got over the space management of a strong hive. Consisitantly having colonies growing to 9 boxes high. It’s fun but requiring more time manage than a Langstroth made me put the format to the side for a time.I’ve made a good number of them and hope they are still in use around the country.

 

[Dansar]

Home garden. Don’t have a garden like this anymore 😂
I had already taken 2 honey boxes of this one and it need more space.

 

[Timw]

@Dansar I got to 5 - the one on the right is at home the taller in a monastery nearby - kind of fitting given Abbey Emile Warre was the inventor. Your Warres are elegant- ive admired them from afar.

 

[Bron]

I’m interested, I’m here for the bee chat and to learn about all types of beekeeping. I reckon I could lift those. I’m information gathering for my retirement! ;-)

 

[Timw]

I’m interested, I’m here for the bee chat and to learn about all types of beekeeping. I reckon I could lift those. I’m information gathering for my retirement! ;-)

@Bron There’s a number of good books including Emile Warre’s Beekeeping for All, David Heath’s Natural Beekeeping likely on Kindle or in the library. Here are a few links to Nick Holmes’s articles- he’s no longer in Auckland. There are pretty easy plans to follow on line if you want to build one - I’ve use untreated radiate but hardwoods are better although mine seem to be holding up.

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

Q + A: Warre Hive Beekeeping with Nick Holmes | Koanga Institute

To follow our series of interviews with upcoming workshop tutors Kay had a quick chat with Nick Holmes who will be at Koanga in September presenting a workshop about the Warre hive system and Beekeeping: Kay: Nick, why are you a proponent of the vertical top bar Warre system? Nick: I have come...

koanga.org.nz

Nick Holmes and A Reverence For Wood

Wood salvaged from once-protected trees has found a new home in an art exhibition to highlight how much wood is being wasted. Nick Holmes is an aborist who uses off cuts to make beehives. Nick and about a dozen others have used unwanted wood, including from a 160-year-old Norfolk Pine that was...

www.rnz.co.nz

 

[Grant]

I hesitate to get into this as there’s a very pro Lang community here and a somewhat negative reaction to “alternative “ hives.

Please don't worry. This section is not for them

 

[tristan]

I hesitate to get into this as there’s a very pro Lang community here and a somewhat negative reaction to “alternative “ hives.

i don't think it was a case of being "pro-lang", its more about hives being sold based on things that are not true. plus they where almost always sold to beginners who didn't know better. the fail rate of them is pretty bad.
langs are recommended for beginners because they are easily available, gear is off the shelf, advice is easy to get. i don't recall anyone complaining when an experienced beek looked at or got an alternative hive.

nothing really bad about warre hives, they work with the bees well because they are orientated the right way. only downside is they get tall due to the smaller boxes, but that can be managed.

 

[Mummzie]

langs are recommended for beginners because they are easily available, gear is off the shelf, advice is easy to get. i don't recall anyone complaining when an experienced beek looked at or got an alternative hive.

Exactly @Timw point.
There is little help for someone who does not want to swap gear after a year or two.
Those points may be valid- but if there is nothing wrong with the hive, why cant they start with them.

Timw is now in the position he can provide help/information. Lets let him talk

 

[Timw]

Today’s swarm. Into the Monastery Warre