I watch homesteading YouTube videos. I watched more of them prior to our getting our property 3+ years' ago; but, I still do watch some of my favorite tried and true channels. One of the channels that I watch are big proponents of Layens style bee hives versus the Langstroth hives that everyone in the U.S. tends to use.
Layens hives are used extensively in other parts of the world including Europe and Russia. They are much easier to manage than Langstroth hives. Langstroth hives gained popularity in the United States because of how bees are moved cross country for purposes of pollination. Layens hives are not conducive to moving.
Because hives (regardless of type) are expensive when orderd online, I printed free Layens hive plans from horizontalhive.com. The website also has the hives themselves for sale, but I settled for the free plans.
I was referred to a local Amish Langstroth type hive maker by a local Ridge and Valley Bee Keeper club I attend. I was told his prices on hives were significantly less than online pricing.
I took my printed plans to the hive maker; but, he was not home. Because his wife was home, I ended up talking with her and left my plans to see if they were something her husband could work with and make. Because telephoning was not an option, and because the Amish do not work or conduct business on Sundays (in our area anyway), she said that her husband would write to me (I never did receive a letter).
Over the course of nearly one year, I made several Saturday trips to see if I could talk about the making of my Layens hives with the hive maker. Every time I showed up, the hive maker himself was not home and I would speak with his wife (who was actually very knowledgeable on the subject of bees and hives and hive construction).
My order consisted of three hives with frames and metal roofs and three hive stands; I also wanted a frame holder and an extra set of frames (needed so as to replace frames removed for honey).
Ultimately, we worked out a Saturday day and time for hive completion and pick up. When that day came, Ed came with me (for both his muscle and because of his curiosity) and we brought our larger vehicle (but not our pick-up).
My bill came to a little over $900. I had forgotten I wanted three of everything in addition to an additional set of frames and a frame holder. I thought the price seemed high and looked at Ed. Ed remained silent. In talking with the hive maker, he noted that the price included the three sets of hives, frames, stands, and roofs in addition to the extra frames and frame stand I had wanted. What a deal!! Over the course of a year, I had completely forgotten I had originally ordered three of everything....Ed remained silent but at this point, his look said...."three??!!...what were you thinking???!!!... I knew we were obligated to accept all three given that no one else in the area uses Layens hives and they were a "special order" so to speak.
When we got a look at everything I had ordered, we were even more surprised - so much stuff and all so large (and heavy). Not all fit into our vehicle and I had to return later during the week to pick up the hive stands. Even so, we were only able to take 2 sets of hives and stands and the frame stand. We're corresponding on when I can pick up the 3rd set (sometime in the June or July timeframe based on our schedules).
I've since set up my two hives (with Ed's help of course) and included a vial of slow release lemon grass essential oil in each (supposedly attracts swarms). It's my plan to catch native swarms. Native swarms are free and they are much more weather, disease, hive beetle, and mite resistant than purchased hives which are basically California or Georgia bees; warm climate Italian bees.
As noted in previous postings by Ed, he is taking his first stab at bees this year as well. He's going with the traditional Langstroth hive that he purchased from Mann Lake Ltd. and with Italian bees that he purchased locally (with a supposedly disease resistant queen).
This whole situation is reflective of some differences between me and Ed and how we approach things. I've gotten to the point where I can laugh at the "oops, I forgot I ordered three hives" incident. Ed is getting there...just a little more slowly.
Comments