Finally found the time to get my hives done. I’ve had plenty of time to read, study, and ask questions on the forums so I feel really good about my setup.
I wanted the hives to be something besides white. I also want my girls to have ownership in the project so I let them loose with the brushes. The best helpers around!
I’m really excited about these hives. Counting paint I have about $40.00 each in them. If I hadn’t been so picky I could have built them out of scrap but I wanted my first hives to have that something extra.
You can see in the pictures below my basic setup. I have an electric fence to keep the bears out. I am also setup to have a top entrance or I can use a bottom entrance with the holes. I don’t have my bars in yet so the lid fits flush.
This is the view through my biggest blueberry bush. I know they are not the bees favorite but I have visions of thousands of bees pollinating my fruits and vegetables. I should have my bees by this weekend and bee a beekeeper for real!
Very cool! How long until they start making honey?
They look great and I love the colour, too! I picked up a gallon of mis-tinted exterior stain at Home Depot for $9 to do mine with. It’s grey, but it should help weather protect the wood. There’s no way I was going white with mine, either.
I don’t get my bees until June.
Chris,
The bees should start making honey right away if there is a nectar flow. If I get to harvest any the first year it will be fall.
Where did you get the plans for the top frame hives? I want to build one. Thanks!!! wisconsin
Hey John,
The site and hives look great.
It is fantastic that the kids are involved.
Best of luck.
Looks like you did a nice job. Good luck with them.