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Buying hives #6790132
03/02/20 09:55 PM
03/02/20 09:55 PM
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 294
Montana
A
Antelope Montana Offline OP
trapper
Antelope Montana  Offline OP
trapper
A

Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 294
Montana
I want to buy two hives pretty soon hopefully in the next 30 days
and then I have a guy that will ship me some bees and May
It's too cold here in April. My question is I see complete setups or anywhere near a hundred and some odd dollars
To well over $200.
Can anybody give me some good common-sense advice on what type of langstrath Hive to buy and from who?
I think I have watched every YouTube video there is and when I go on websites the purchase a hive I seem lost

Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6790135
03/02/20 09:58 PM
03/02/20 09:58 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,971
Oklahoma
M
Matt28 Offline
trapper
Matt28  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,971
Oklahoma
Manna lake is about to have a big march sale starting around the 4th or so. Should be some pretty good buys online and in one of there stores.

Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6790145
03/02/20 10:02 PM
03/02/20 10:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,425
Georgia
warrior Offline
trapper
warrior  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,425
Georgia
Don't buy the kits, overpriced. Buy six deeps, ten supers three bottoms and tops all knocked down. Order from a known reputable supplier and their commercial grade. This should get you the over the free shipping minimum.
Shop for best prices but my first look would be Mann Lake, Western Bee (closest to you) or Ohio Bee Box.
Frames buy by the 100 count for best prices.


[Linked Image]
Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6790163
03/02/20 10:11 PM
03/02/20 10:11 PM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 601
ontario, canada
O
old243 Offline
trapper
old243  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 601
ontario, canada
If you are a bit handy in the workshop. Go to Michigan Bees, then to the bee keepers workshop. They explain the different parts of a bee hive , and plans with measurements..If you are planning to get 2 packages . You had better start building more boxes, honey supers,etc.. Once they start to grow or swarm you will need them. I started with 2 have 10 now. . Looked at them today , too cold for much movement . May have lost 1 over the winter...Excellent hobby, you will like them. . old243

Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6790198
03/02/20 10:41 PM
03/02/20 10:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,425
Georgia
warrior Offline
trapper
warrior  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,425
Georgia
Know anyone with a table saw? The boxes, bottoms and tops are simple just be sure to keep the measurements exact. You can't mill frames cheaper than buying.


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Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6790243
03/02/20 11:09 PM
03/02/20 11:09 PM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 601
ontario, canada
O
old243 Offline
trapper
old243  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 601
ontario, canada
I have made frames as well. All measurements are doable but they have to be exact. Agree that if time spent is important , best buy them. In my case I have tools and my time , isn't , very expensive. . Look at barn yard bees , I made some of his 2 frame nucs. Looking forward to raising some queens.. Did have some success last year , with 5 frame nucs. old243

Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6790348
03/03/20 01:18 AM
03/03/20 01:18 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,946
South metro, MN
C
Calvin Offline
trapper
Calvin  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,946
South metro, MN
Mann lake ships free over $100. And hundreds and hundreds you will spend on beekeeping. Start up (and expansion) costs become substantial. (Strippers and cocaine might be cheaper).

If you continue, A table saw and a screw gun can really save you a ton of money if you're going to expand.

I sold a couple gallons of honey a few years back to a buddy when I just got going. He said "how much do I owe you for you to just break even"? I said...."about 5 grand". He wanted option #2.

It's a great hobby, etc for us trappers, though. I think most of our trapping minds really work well with beekeeping....especially as we age.

Yes, there are some great resources on YouTube regarding beekeeping. You being in the north, I'd suggest "a Canadian beekeeper blog" and "Michael Palmer" vids.

Best of luck to you.

Last edited by Calvin; 03/03/20 01:21 AM.
Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6790523
03/03/20 09:31 AM
03/03/20 09:31 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,136
B61-12 vicinity, MO
T
TreedaBlackdog Offline
trapper
TreedaBlackdog  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,136
B61-12 vicinity, MO
I love my acorn frames. If beetles or moths make a mess, I can powerwash them and recoat with wax. I prefer the black for my brood and white for honey.

Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6790561
03/03/20 10:08 AM
03/03/20 10:08 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,154
Tug Hill, NY
Redknot Offline
trapper
Redknot  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,154
Tug Hill, NY
One thing I do that is a bit different than some is, I use all deeps including supers. For me it is just the convenience of being able to add and switch out frames that are the same. Yup the supers are heavy, but I just pull a few frames when extracting and then lift the remaining super. I also like black foundation in my frames, which aids in seeing eggs...Just my two pennies...


~Illegitimi Non Carborundum~
Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6790580
03/03/20 10:28 AM
03/03/20 10:28 AM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,384
WI
B
BvrRetriever Offline
trapper
BvrRetriever  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,384
WI
x2 on using deeps for the supers....having only one size box makes all your equipment much more uniform. I always use wax foundation though. I think they draw it way better than the black plastic.

I would build your own boxes and buy the frames unassembled. Assemble the frames yourself. Very simple...it only takes an air stapler.

Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6790594
03/03/20 10:42 AM
03/03/20 10:42 AM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,971
Oklahoma
M
Matt28 Offline
trapper
Matt28  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,971
Oklahoma
Yep I use all deeps here too. I run to deeps for winter, then one or two for honey supers. I must be the luckiest bee keeper, I am going in to another spring with no losses yet. Only have 12 hives but it's my 3rd year and have only lost one going in to spring a few years ago. It had lost a queen and went laying worker.

Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6790967
03/03/20 06:40 PM
03/03/20 06:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,162
KY
ksp107 Offline
trapper
ksp107  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,162
KY
I use all mediums....

Re: Buying hives [Re: warrior] #6830450
04/04/20 10:59 PM
04/04/20 10:59 PM
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 294
Montana
A
Antelope Montana Offline OP
trapper
Antelope Montana  Offline OP
trapper
A

Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 294
Montana
Warrior thanks for the info anything else you can think of I appreciate all your help

Re: Buying hives [Re: Calvin] #6830454
04/04/20 11:02 PM
04/04/20 11:02 PM
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 294
Montana
A
Antelope Montana Offline OP
trapper
Antelope Montana  Offline OP
trapper
A

Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 294
Montana
Tell me about strippers I spent so much money on them in my youth I could have been running this country

Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6830458
04/04/20 11:07 PM
04/04/20 11:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,425
Georgia
warrior Offline
trapper
warrior  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,425
Georgia
Read

Beekeeping is a lifetime commitment to continuing education. Seems like every time we figure out one thing some other pest of disease comes round the corner. As bad as things are with bees we're much better beekeepers for it as we've had to hit the books or get out of bees.


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Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6830461
04/04/20 11:08 PM
04/04/20 11:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,425
Georgia
warrior Offline
trapper
warrior  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,425
Georgia
BTW, I like American Bee Journal more in depth. Bee Culture is more basic.


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Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6832143
04/06/20 11:12 AM
04/06/20 11:12 AM
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 294
Montana
A
Antelope Montana Offline OP
trapper
Antelope Montana  Offline OP
trapper
A

Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 294
Montana
Thanks again all of you

Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6837330
04/10/20 05:22 PM
04/10/20 05:22 PM
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 294
Montana
A
Antelope Montana Offline OP
trapper
Antelope Montana  Offline OP
trapper
A

Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 294
Montana
Well I called Mann lake today and finally got through which was a nice thing.
The lady that took my order was based in Pennsylvania and she was very nice I ordered all the things that Warrior had recommended, Plus available in a smoker in a hive tool. I also ordered a 3lb package of bees with a queen and they are the saskatraz variety. I dropped about a thousand bucks on this adventure but it's something I wanted to do my entire life and I finally got to a place where I can do it.
I think it's going to be a worthwhile Hobby and it fits my lifestyle pretty good.

Last edited by Antelope Montana; 04/10/20 05:24 PM.
Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6837376
04/10/20 06:06 PM
04/10/20 06:06 PM
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,121
Pa.
B
Bigbrownie Offline
trapper
Bigbrownie  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,121
Pa.
The price of #3 packages of bees is all over the place. I buy from a guy who drives to Hardemans in Georgia and picks up 300-500 packages a year. I think he’s getting around $85 a package, wholesale price. I paid $115 ( # 3/ Italian/ unmarked queen) . for them...he and his brother drive straight through to get back to Pa.

Know of other suppliers , around $135. Some are getting as high as $200.

I paid $12 for my first package back in the 70s.

Re: Buying hives [Re: Antelope Montana] #6837383
04/10/20 06:14 PM
04/10/20 06:14 PM
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 294
Montana
A
Antelope Montana Offline OP
trapper
Antelope Montana  Offline OP
trapper
A

Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 294
Montana
I paid around two hundred bucks and I'll tell you what it really makes you think about splitting hives in creating your own next year always next year.

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