Latest project...

[Jon @ JRwoods]

My wife decided to pick up a new hobby, she's not one for hobbies usually, so I said sure thing lets do it!  My job is to build everything she needs.  A couple of books, a bunch of online reading and viola!
Can anybody guess what it is? :)
 
 

[Scott Smith]

Kinda looks like some kinda roost house for a bird... Lol

[Prairie Game Calls]

Looks like something sweet in your future I think I hear the BUZZ! Could it Bezz, Bezz hive??

Larry

[Jon @ JRwoods]

We have a winner!
Its a top bar beehive.  They are supposed to be really simple, easy to construct hives.  Of course this one is the most complicated plan out there and includes a window in the side, but I needed a reason to dust of the router anyway.
We plan on starting three hives.  Two langstroth hives, one will be top entrance, one bottom.  And a top bar.  We will see which one we like working best.  We have a friend that keeps 5 hives and he's going to help us get started. 
    The odd thing is this was my wife's idea.  Shes more city mouse than country mouse, I'm on board because I want a few. Gallons of honey!! 
The more reading I do, the more i think its right up my alley.  Lots of opinionated people, ask ten beekeepers the same question and you'll get 11 answers.  Lots of specialized equipment, lots of stuff I can build myself, its outside, its as difficult or simple as you make it, its a hobby that can but will never make money for me. 
Sounds like everything else I do, but this time my wife is all for it.

[Andre's Wood Works aka: TheDecoyDude]

I have a friend who does bee keeping. He produces something like 45 gallons of the stuff during the right time of year (that number could be grossly wrong but it sounds right in my head) . You look like you've got one heck of a set up! Time to get a bee suit ~Andre

[HaMeR]

That's different. I've only ever seen the conventional style. What are the advantages of this style?? just a taller box so you don't bend over as much?


Honey straight from the hive is THE BEST!!

[Braz]

Around here the money isn't in the honey. Since we have thousands and thousands of acres of trees producing nuts of all kinds and apricots, cherries, peaches, prunes, etc. the money to be made is placing the hives for the pollination. That is big bucks. My BIL pays thousands every years for his acreage to get pollinated. Of course, ther is the side benefit of having lots fo honey for sale around here too.

[Jon @ JRwoods]

An update to the stinging bug adventure.  We ordered bees that were going to be delivered mid April.  Mother nature dealt a rough winter to the bee yards and the delivery date was pushed back to mid march.  My brother has a feral hive in the cottonwood in his backyard.  Perfect opportunity for a swarm trap!  Downsized the top bar hive plan and made a mini hive, baited it with some old comb. 
My brother called yesterday and said "Man you've got bees all over the place!"
Th swarm was having all over the box but not going in, I was told the would all cozy up after dark and pile inside the box.
Went over there around 10 pm and they were still outside the box!  If they aren't using it as a home its just a pit stop until they find someplace better.  It was today or never so my wife and I did our best.  Weknocked them down into a bigger box, took them home, and put them in a hive.  Only the bees know if they will stay put. 

Keeping our fingers crossed.
My wife WILL kill me when she finds out I put "that horrible" picture of her up.
 

 

 

 

[Barry @ WildThings]

Tell your wife fear not, that is a great picture!! Hope they make it their home Good Luck

[Jon @ JRwoods]

Thought I would updat.  The bees are busy storing pollen, honey, and making more bees.  Time for an inspection.  They will build crazy comb anywhere you allow them to.  We had to clean the extra bits off of this one to make it fit right.  The good news is we are seeing lots of larvae.   The queen seems to be laying eggs as fast as they can build comb for her. 
 
They really are pretty docile.  I didnt wear gloves and didn't get stung, far nicer than I would be if someone ripped my house apart and rearranged it. 

We caught another smaller swarm from the same feral colony, brought them home and put them in the top bar hive in the first post.  Unfortunately I think I messed up by leaving the screened bottom open and just like that POOF!  They were gone the next day.
Silly bugs didn't like their new house! 
There will be more, we plan on 5-7 hives.  Its impossible to have to much fresh local honey!

[David @ Mad Duck Game Calls]

Hey Jon, If you ever wanted to drive down here to Oklahoma and help me and my dad get rid of a beehive (He's in the pest control business) you could have 'em if you wanted and we could try not to use any P.I. on them.  When we actually get a hive down here there always in a house, And sometimes they're HUGE!! My dad got one that was about 16 inches wide 12 inches tall and 8 foot long!!

[David @ Mad Duck Game Calls]

My dad also said you should call local pest control guys, they will be more than happy to let you get them out yourself.

[Jon @ JRwoods]

David, thanks for the heads up.  Talked to my friend that got me into this, he is on the list for pest control guys and the city/county.  when someone calls 911 because of bees he gets the call... then calls me!

Another update.
  We are up to six hives now.  Im am an expert at making 5/8 box joints on boxes that are 6 5/8 tall:)
Four traditional langstroth hives, one horizontal langstroth, and one top bar. 
We set out swarm traps and caught feral bees, went and collected three swarms from branches, and purchased a 3 lb package of bees from an apiary.
They are the coolest bugs you can have in your yard.  The first hive is booming and we may see some honey for us this year.
Most colonies take a year to establish and you don't see honey the first year.
 
The queen herself
 

[David @ Mad Duck Game Calls]

Since we are your second family we do get a sampling of the honey right??    Me and my dad absolutely LOVE honey!!!

[Jon @ JRwoods]

It takes roughly 5 gallons of honey to make 1/2 gallon of honey whiskey.
The bees just need to hurry up and make honey! 

One of these days I would like to get a call maker weekend together at my place.  Hopefully by then I have some honey to sample.  ;)
When i get some I will let you know.  I want to do some capped cut comb honey.  Just slice out a square chunk of honeycomb and drop it in a container.