The Honey Pot

The Honey Pot...that is what I decided to name my hive. Totally Kitschy, Totally Cute, Totally Me.

Now, from my last post you know that Franklin Carrier and I decided I better wait on getting my hive. However, social networking at it's finest, I posted about my obsession on Facebook and a friend quickly answered my prayer. She, unfortunately for her, had a bee colony set up in the second story under the eves of her roof and they decided to set up camp there - only to spread into the walls and somehow find their way into the home. What a mess right? But what fortune for me!

Upon learning this I called Mr. Carrier up immediately and told him of my fortune. He was very excited for me and told me he would stay open late so I could come pick up a Beginners Kit from him.

The Beginners Kit included: the bottom brood box and landing area for the bees, 10 frames, a hive cover, a hat, a veil, gloves, a hive tool and some stuff for smoking them which is a slight spray (I forgot that there). Mr. Carrier sells the stuff un-assembled for less, and assembled for more. I told him, I may be a girl, but I can figure things out with a nail gun and some time. How nice was he? He turned on his nail gun and showed me how to put everything together! We spent about an hour putting it all together and getting all squared away. It was a lot of fun and very helpful. I really appreciated him spending the time. Especially considering he didn't have to, and he didn't charge me extra for putting it together. He told me, "we're practically family" as he helped put it together and showed me how to use a high pressure nail gun (I did kinda fib, saying I was familiar with a power tool. I don't know how to use a power tool. I'm guessing Mr. Carrier picked up on my fib. :) )

At 88 years old he picked up the brood box and brought it to the post by his fence for me to load into the car. I really didn't expect that when I told him I would bring the car around. And the brood box is a bit heavy, not really, but it isn't light either. I promised him that once the hive is up and running, I will come back with pictures and stories. He wished me well and sent me away with a smile and a wave. He really couldn't be nicer.

For all of you who aren't familiar with bees or bee keeping, the "brood box" I have been referring to is the bottom starter box for the colony. When starting with a new colony of bees, or if you just buy a 3 pound bag of bees to start out with, you will need one brood box to start with. The brood box is for the bees themselves. You will not be harvesting honey from this area. Keep in mind, the queen is laying eggs constantly. She needs enough space to do so. Once 7 frames are filled with the brood, aka: pupae, larvae, you will want to put on another brood box. In order for a colony to multiply and be hearty, you really need 2 brood boxes. The queen, provided she is young, should be filling these up before you put on your "honey super". The brood boxes are for the bees to conduct their own business. Eat, bring back pollen, convert into wax and honey, and have space for the weather conditions.

Plus, the colony needs to stay at 92 degrees. So in the summer they need the space to not overheat, and in the winter the colony needs to be built up enough to heat the boxes. In California, the generally mild climate 2 brood boxes will probably be great, but in colder climate areas, you may want to go down to 1 brood box so the hive can stay in, warm, and take care of themselves. It's best to paint your hive a light pastel color, or white. This will make sure that the hive doesn't overheat and your bees don't die in there. You can see that I painted the hive and the bottom brood box is ready to go.

Anyhow...I have the bottom brood box (which really isn't the "honey pot" but I am naming the whole hive that) ready to go. All I need are the bees!