Topic: I was thinking of keeping bees, a few questions...

[dtw]

I could easily build a hive from plans available on the 'net.

What seems to be unclear is the construction of the vertical 'sliders' that the honey is made on.
What is the flat area made of?

How do you get the bees to make the honeycombs on it, does the surface have to be prepared?

I've seen mention of 'packages' of bees to start the hive off, how do you put them in and get them to stay in the hive?
How much does a 'package' cost? and can somebody recommend a supplier.

[Melbourne12]

I could easily build a hive from plans available on the 'net.

For your first hive, I'd strongly suggest buying one.  The difference between the cost of materials and the cost of a flat pack from say http://www.peak-hives.co.uk/ is fairly small, and the risk of getting the all-important "bee space" wrong in a DIY hive is quite large.

What seems to be unclear is the construction of the vertical 'sliders' that the honey is made on.
What is the flat area made of?

These are called frames.  The vertical flat area is filled with a pre-formed beeswax sheet called "foundation" in the beekeeping catalogues.

How do you get the bees to make the honeycombs on it, does the surface have to be prepared?

The foundation sheets are pre-printed with a dimpled surface in the shape of honeycomb.  This encourages the bees to build it up into cells, which they then fill with honey.  In the lower part of the hive, you use larger sheets (on larger so-called brood frames) where the eggs are laid and the young bees hatched.. The bees also put some stores of pollen and honey on the brood frames.

I've seen mention of 'packages' of bees to start the hive off, how do you put them in and get them to stay in the hive?

It's fairly straightforward.  You just shake them in.  You might like to have an experienced beekeeper in attendance the first time you do it! This is informative http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek7dDtZ0lK8&feature=PlayList&p=7C1755B658918360&index=0&playnext=1

In fact, there's quite a lot of beekeeping info on youtube

Provided the queen is in the hive, the bees will stay with her.

How much does a 'package' cost? and can somebody recommend a supplier.

A package will cost around £100.  A nucleus, which is a package ready installed on a few frames, so you just slot them in, is around £125.  Supplies are very short.  You might try Easybee near Gloucester.

[tonybloke]

Join your local beekeeping society, before you do anything!! then you can 'be around bees' a bit before you spend much money! (it's always good to know how you will react when you take the roof off of a hive full of 50 - 70 thousand insects (most of whom can sting you) ) Other benefits of joining a society will be the chance for mentoring, and also possible supply of bees from the society / association.
have a look here http://www.britishbee.org.uk/index.php for local societies,
and on here http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/ for advice.
for 'natural beekeeping' try here http://www.biobees.com/

rgds, Tony ( norfolk beekeeper)

[Melbourne12]

dtw, I've just looked at your location.  You might like to go along to the the Ealing Beekeepers, who are a very nice crowd, and who meet in Perivale.  http://www.ealingbees.org.uk/

(We're members of Harrow BKA, and both Harrow and Ealing are part of Middlesex Beekeepers)

There are other BKAs at Weybridge and Slough, which may be more convenient for you.  See http://www.britishbee.org.uk/local_associations_about_us.php for a complete list.

Most BKAs run spring courses for new beekeepers for a modest fee.  I cannot recommend these courses too highly if you're seriously thinking of getting bees.  The advice that you'll get will save huge amounts of frustration and disappointment later!

PS I've just realised that tonybloke has beaten me to it.  I'll post anyway, just for emphasis.  :)

[Robert_Brenchley]

A package is a mass of bees in a box, with a queen and no comb. I've never heard of anyone selling them in Britain. You need either a nucleus, which is a small colony on comb, or a swarm, which is a load of bees which have left the hive in search of a new home. the difference between a swarm and a package is that the swarm is a natural phenomenon, with its own queen, and normally costs nothing. A package is artificially created. Nuclei tend to be pricy. Neither is likely to be available till June, but meanwhile you can join your local Beekeepers' Association, and start getting to know people and learning about bees. You never know, you might strike lucky and get bees and a hive. It does happen when people want to cut down or retire from beekeeping.

[dtw]

Thanks for your advice, I'll let you know how I get on.

May not bee this year though.

[tonybloke]

A package is a mass of bees in a box, with a queen and no comb. I've never heard of anyone selling them in Britain.

easy bees sell packages in britain, 115 quid!!
http://www.easybeeproducts.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=59&osCsid=fcb7dc878f57e2101b83ead33632a94c

[Robert_Brenchley]

In one line it says no delivery, in the next it's free delivery if you order over 50. You'd probably have to collect them. Better to get local bees; that way you've got the best chance of getting stock that's adapted to the local conditions. If you can find someone who selects for good temper, that would be ideal.