[Kate and her Ducks]

I think I am about to become a beekeeper!

My mum has kept bees for a few years and I have always been interested and kept meaning to do something more active than just reading about it and helping her out with hers, but you know what it's like, life just gets in the way.
Well this spring my mum and her friend have had lots of problems (in a good way) with swarming and multiple casts (think that is what it is called when there are multiple new queens and swarms/colonies formed) and they have gone from 6 colonies to over a dozen and they don't have the space!

Have joined the BBKA and looked for the local groups but it looks like I will have my first colony or nuc by next week. Just home my beesuit arrives in time!

[joyfull]

congrats Kate, please post photos of your set up to show everybody  .

[Kate and her Ducks]

Will take loads of pics (except of me in a fencing mask and a teatowel as that is my current backup plan if my beesuit doesn't arrive in time - think my mum will actually lend me her spare if it comes to that!).

The area they are going have been cleared and just need to put up the screening and paving slab for the hive tomorrow and then it is just a case of waiting for them to arrive.

I keep looking at all the wonderful blossom on the trees and flowers in the gardens around me and waiting for them to come.
The hive they came from had a amazing year least year and made 117lbs of honey! I'm just hopng they will settle in and grow strong this year but honey next year would be nice!

[GrannieAnnie]

Wow Kate, how exciting!  Oh yes, you must tell us all about it!!!

[joyfull]

if you lived closer I would lend you my beekeepers hat - I don't have bees but wear it when picking plums as I am terrified of wasps 

[darren64]

good luck!I'm in my second year,I started with a swarm last year and have now got three hives in my apiary,

[Paul Plots]

congrats Kate, please post photos of your set up to show everybody  .

Seconded!!

Can we have the odd occasional photo too?

I'm fascinated. 

[totalnovice]

Not jealous at all!  Wow - lots of photos and updates please!

[scabs]

VERY jealous! 

[Paul Plots]

VERY jealous! 

Jealous? No.

Buzzing with excitement 

[SnooziSuzi]

Hi Kate,

congrats on joining the association and getting bees!  I'm in my second year now and I'm also battling against swarming etc which is very stressfull!

If I can offer one word of advice it would be get a second hive!!!  That way, once they show signs of swarming you can split the colony to make them think they've swarmed and hey presto you have two hives!

Your BKA will be able to give you some advice on how to do this and I'd also recommend joining the bbka forum - it's not visited as much as this one but the people there really know there stuff!

Good luck and enjoy! 
Su

[Paul Plots]

Hi Kate,

congrats on joining the association and getting bees!  I'm in my second year now and I'm also battling against swarming etc which is very stressfull!

If I can offer one word of advice it would be get a second hive!!!  That way, once they show signs of swarming you can split the colony to make them think they've swarmed and hey presto you have two hives!

Your BKA will be able to give you some advice on how to do this and I'd also recommend joining the bbka forum - it's not visited as much as this one but the people there really know there stuff!

Good luck and enjoy! 
Su

It definitely sounds as if we need a BK section!!!!! 

[darren64]

There is another forum,which is just called"the beekping forum"they seem to have a lot of experienced members who will answer any questions.

[Pol]

how exciting! I am just waiting for my hive to arrive there more weeks to go

[Paul Plots]

No news from Kate recently. 

I hope she's not gone and wandered off in the wrong direction with that mask / hat on!