NZBF: Well here goes a new hobby

[NZDan]

Picked up some hives that had been wintered over, and got them home with only a few hiccups (or is that meant to bee stings).
Now just itching to have a look inside, but that will have to wait for warmer days.
Brood boxes are still heavy with food, and the bees are happily coming and going, quite a few with pollen coming home.
I start with our local bee club next week and a level 3 course.
Can't wait

 

[Grant]

It sounds super exciting

 

[Mummzie]

Now to put into practice all the reading and research. I hope it goes well for you.

 

[AdamD]

The learning curve is quite steep; However exciting times ahead!

 

[kaihoka]

Picked up some hives that had been wintered over, and got them home with only a few hiccups (or is that meant to bee stings).
Now just itching to have a look inside, but that will have to wait for warmer days.
Brood boxes are still heavy with food, and the bees are happily coming and going, quite a few with pollen coming home.
I start with our local bee club next week and a level 3 course.
Can't wait

Dont be discouraged when things go wrong .
It takes a while to get a feel for how bees will behave in your area .
Also avoid being tempted to use secondhand gear that someone kindly offers.
I gave a friend a nuc a couple of yrs ago who wanted to get back into bee keeping.
He had had bees before varroa .
He put my nuc in a new box but wanted to multiply up and was given gear by someone whoses hives had died . From varroa he was told .
But my friends hives got sick and died so he has burnt all his gear .
He will only use new stuff now .
He was not part of a group . Having contact with experienced people will make it a lot easier for you to avoid mistakes .

 

[tristan]

Having contact with experienced people will make it a lot easier for you to avoid mistakes .

make that "having contact with GOOD experienced people ........"

 

[AdamD]

make that "having contact with GOOD experienced people ........"

Agreed. I hear stories of apparently experienced beekeepers who give absolutely daft advice - and watch out for the dodgy You Tube videos. Most are OK but not all - and they often relate to somewhere where the forage and climate is different. So good local advice is the best. (Don't take my word for it - as this is from someone who is completely NOT local ).