A little help and Package Bee's

Nephew came over to give me a hand with the hive boxes and the hive stand.

Polishing the telescoping top.

Painting

Painting

Here a package of bee's, the estimate is 3000 bee's per pound and the box has 3 pounds.

Under the little board on top is a can of sugar water and the little flap thing sticking up is where the Queen is kept in a separate cage.

The bees are crowding around the Queen and the sugar water.

We're going to wait till Monday to do the install, hopefully the weather will be a little warmer.  We've had the bee's now since Friday and are keeping the warm and safe in the basement.  After their trip from Georgia it's best to settle down for a day or two before they go into the hive.
Here's the hive in the yard awaiting the bee's.

I'll post some pictures of our mentor doing her bee package install on Monday.

HAPPY EASTER !!!!!

Hive stand

Now I painted the hive I'll need something to put it on.  It doesn't need to be to high off the ground, cinderblocks will work but we wantred something a bit higher and nicer to look at.  The reason the hive needs to be off the ground is to stop any varmints or critters getting in.  If something climbs up it will expose it's underside and the bee's will sting away.



Cutting all the pieces I'll need



Laying out the legs, front and back

Sides going on



Top end finished, the hice will sit on the outer boards with support from the legs




 

All done, pretty simple design



With the bottom board sitting on it, this is where the bee's enter and exit the hive (on the wide flat part that hasn't been painted yet)



Pre-cutting for another hive, we're going to have two of them

It's nice to have leftover boards and stuff from other projects, cuts down on the costs.

Beginning bee keeping

We started taking a bee keeping class about 6 or so weeks ago (weather being a factor) and have two classes left.  Very interesting to learn about.  While trying to digest all the new information I figured I needed to get started on the hives.
We bought a beginner kit so there was some work involved, you can get everything already done but what's the fun.
First was to paint the parts:  from the left to the right, the telescoping top, bottom board, hive body, inner cover and somewhere hidden the entrance reducer

Next up to put the foundation into the frames the frames (frames were pre-built)

Wired foundation

Foundation and Frame

Cleat that needs to be removed

I ran my knife under the scored edge through the cleat to the middle on the frame to remove the cleat

Notice the indent/groove, this is where the foundation will rest

The foundation has wires that are bent at a 90deg.  They will rest in the indent with the wires facing out

Lay the cleat along the length, from where you removed it and "clamp" the wire foundation between the frame and cleat

Press against the foundation and nail into place with a 5/8" nail

One on each end

Foundation pin/holder, this will help keep the foundation ridged in the frame

Completed frame

My stack of ten frames that will go into the hive body, tedious work but a feeling of satisfaction.  The size of hive body we have is a ten frame.

Snow 3/25/2013

Had a bit of snow yesterday morning.  To bad it didn't last, I wanted to get on the 4wheeler (now that it's fixed) and play.  But, alas I had to go to work and it was gone by the time I got home.

St. Paddy's Day Parade

Off to DC  to watch the Parade, first stop was at my nephews to indulge in a little breakfast and...

did have a few cupcakes made from Guinness, Jameson and Baileys, I'll have to get that recipe



 

With a quick trip on the DC Metro, we were on our way to the Parade, our walk took us passed the...

had to take the picture, sons in the Navy

Department of Justice

Bomb Squad (son's a EOD Tech)

Fairfax County Police Dept's mounted unit demonstrating some techniques, that was the best of the Parade

 

And of course how better to end the Parade in DC with a roach coach hotdog

 

Me and the Daughter enjoying one of our favorite foods.



 

 





New home

Had some spare wood and the ladies were laying some eggs on the floor so I decided to put in a new nesting box. 

All I need now is to add a little paint.  I was surprised to see they kept a eye out on me while I was busy sawing and screwing it all together.  Hope they like it and I may have to put a divider in but I'm a little concerned that the box might be a little smaller than they like.  I'll have to see what happens.

Getting things done

Two weeks now have gone by and after replacing the CV Joint (the drivers side), finding the tire showing steel belts and replacing the valve cover gasket needing replaced all was good to go.  UNTIL... she took it on the highway.  Seems there is a vibration in the steering wheel, guess I'll be getting the tires balanced for that.
Next up a good friend asked if I could help with his daughters car.  Yes, I'll try.  This is a fuel tank replacement and it needs to be done by Friday.  Did a little research in the internet and figured I had a hand on it.  Exhaust had to be disconnected from the muffler, pain in the ass, as it's all heated together and rusted.  Got it undone (will need to replace the flange gaskets and bolts), tank unstrapped and all lines disconnected.  Little of a wrestle but it's out and ready to transfer the "green" stuff over.
Now come the part I hate the most, I break a part.  Don't know what it is or what it's called or what it does.  But luckly for me I have the internet and a number and find out that it's a Fuel Assy.  Who would have know.  What does it do?  After some searching it seems to let the pump know when your tank is full (more of that "green" stuff).  So now were waiting on the part as it's a dealer only item or internet buy.
Looking to finish the job Friday if the part come in.
If not the daughter will have to go back to University and be mobile through her legs.
And through all this I've been taking pictures to show everyone and something happened to my memory card.  It can't be read on the card reader or able to view the pictures on the camera, SUCKS, I had some good pictures of our snow, the dogs and the first signs of Spring around here.

Another CV Joint

Well no sooner did I fix my car the daughters now needs a passenger side CV Joint.  Looks like I'm becoming a pro at this.  Another thing on the list for the weekend, it's going to be cold but not as cold as the last time.
Oh well, coveralls here I come.