Beekeeping

Wild Sprout Apiary 2018

Posted by Inga Smith on

Choose equipment that is right for you.

Love this hobby because I’m confident that I’ll always be learning something new! The one thing I’ve learned in these first 5 years is simply this: there is no one-size-fits-all equipment list for bee keepers. There are so many variables you must assess: weather, nearby foliage, local laws and neighbors, seasonality, medication & supplements … and the list goes on.

Here is a summary that seems to be working for us. At least for now.

Get Going: 2018

Prioritized Goals

  1. Overwinter survival!!
  2. Honey
  3. Wax

Strategy

  1. Increase daily sun
  2. Reduce moisture inside hive

Tactics

To improve ventilation, added the following

  1. Screened inner cover (see below)
  2. Bottom slatted rack. Note that some folks say if you are already using the Varroa screened bottom board you should not also use the slatted rack; they recommend to use one or the other. But, due to the moisture issues I’ve had in the past, I’m using both from spring thru fall.
Wild Sprout Apiary
Screened inner cover helps improve ventilation to reduce moisture.

Bellevue Buzz

Video Summary: Hot May 2018 — the Wild Sprout bees are fanning the entrance.

 

2018 Apiary – Equipment List

Equipment Used Commentary
Hive Type Langstroth Traditional config to optimize for honey
Hive Configuration Brood: 2 deeps

Supers: mediums

 *this is a change from previous years where I tried 1 deep, 2 mediums
Hive Materials Pine, painted *Hive 3 has 1 cedar deep
Frames – brood 10 frame, Groove Top/Bottom All with foundation (yellow)
Frames – supers Hives 1, 2, 4: spacers for 9 frames Hive 3 has 10 frames, including 1 foundationless
Foundation Waxed rite-cell Hive 3: 1 frameless; used comb I snagged from a nuc in my beekeeper class
Feeder Top hive Spring: 6-8 weeks, April – June

Fall: TBD
Hive frame stand Yes
Top: Screened inner cover Yes Improves ventilation
Bottom: Varroa Screen w/Drawer Yes Improves ventilation
Bottom: Slatted Rack Yes Improves ventilation. Note, some say do not use this if you are already using Varroa screen with drawer. But, I use both during summer.
Bottom: Bee Bench Raises 18″ off ground

Bench “feet” in buckets with motor oil

 Helps prevents ants and other pests
Suppliers Primary Equipment: Mann Lake Brushy Mountain Bee Farm for some specialty items

I also use 2 different local supplies for bees and other consumable items.
Vitamins Pro Health Spring: while feeders were on

Fall: TBD
Pollen patties Yes Used during spring for new hives. 1x only
Treatments Varrox Oxalic Acid Vaporizer Spring: not used since new colonies

Summer: hopguard (not yet used; still low mite count as of 8/14)

Fall: oxalic acid
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”
-Frank Lloyd Wright