I just got off the phone with Dave from Ohio Honey Farms where I ordered (3) 3-lb packages of bees with Italian queens. I am so stoked!

Now this is where I need some advice! I am working in the Middle-east right now. I get home on 7-April (for good). I do not have any bee equipment yet. I need everyones advice on what to start with.

The last beekeeping school in my area is the last weekend in March...so I am going to miss it. Dave from Ohio Honey Farms said he was going to get me in contact with some local beekeepers to mentor me. My attempts at emailing the local beekeeping club (SWOBA) has fallen on deaf ears!

Here is my question...What equipment do I need?

I plan on going with (3) Langstrom hive with 2-hive bodies and 2-medium supers per hive (to start). I was planning on experimenting with these bees. I read a lot where most people like the natural wood frames and wax foundations. I plan on using these in (2) hives. The 3rd hive I was tossing around the idea of using plastic foundations.

What does the experts think?

Tonybeeguy...thanks for giving me the "push" (in previous post) to not wait until next year. Even if I make evey mistake there is this year...I will be way ahead of the learning curve next year!

Oh by the way...I am in zone 6...rural SW Ohio surrounded by farmland...I live on 8ish acres with a huge veggie garden...if that helps in suggestions.

Hit me with the suggestions!

Thanks,

Brian

I will have a week between me getting home and picking up my bees. I get home very late on 7-April and we have it set up for me to get the bees on 14-April. I am meeting my supplier outside of Cincinnati as he is returning from Georgia with the bee shipment.

I thought I knew exactly what I wanted (equipment wise)...but now that I have spent the last 3-hours looking at all the options on Betterbee website...I have confused myself...LOL!

I thought I was 100% sure that I was going to go with all wood hives and wood frames. I read all the time about beekeepers not happy with the plastic equipment. But by reading the product descriptions on BEEMAX polystyreen system...I am starting to lean toward it. Does anyone have this set-up? If so...do you like it?

I am also confused about the frames / foundations. I see that there are wood frames with Pierco plastic foundations in them??? The only wood frames I see on the Betterbee website with natural beeswax foundations (wire reinforcing) is the Top Bar type frame that you install the foundations on???

I am starting to become overwhelmed with the choices. This will be my first experience with bees and I want to start off on the right foot. I know you should not intermix the parts...so I need some advice on what would be the best!

Thanks in advance for any direction...

Brian

Beemax hives-I have one that I use for talks to school children because it is light weight and does not have sharp corners that a child could bump into-safty first.
I have heard folks say that aints like to chew them (something to think about) others talk ablut how hard they are to get apart when the bees "glue" them together, I don`t know I do know one BK that tried them because of our cold weather and he couldn`r tell any differance in survival sooooo.

Personaly I use wood frames with plastic foundation (Pierco black in deeps) I have never used palstic frames except in one honey super and the bees didnt like it and it took 2 years for them to draw out the comb so I never baught any more. I used all "Rite-Cell" from Mann Lake when I got started but baught "Pierco" and "Permadent" in supers because I can get it cheaper at "Lapp`s" and I pick it up each spring when I pick up packages for our classes (no shipping)

Now have I confussed you even more??

Now I will tell you how I started useing "Mann Lake" stuff I (we) went to our local club classes just to take the class (wasnt going to get bees till the next year) so every one in the class installed a package of bees then the montor ask if I had bees yet I said no and he said #2 hive is yours you can pick then up and put them in your own equpt and bring my box back well I said I dont have any stuff and he said you better get some so I ordered the complete hive from ML and now that is not even CLOSE to the rest of the story!!

P.S that was 9 years ago and this will bee my 9th time throught the class THINK I WILL GET IT THIS TIME??

OK...thanks again Ed for the insight. I think I am back to settling on Eastern Pine hive bodies, supers and frames.

Does the wood frames come apart to install foundations? The wood frames I see on the Betterbee site already have Pierco plastic foundations already installed (OR) they have a wooden frame they call "Betterbee Original 3/8" wooden frame." The illustration of the frame does not have sides to it...is this illustration just for the installation of foundation purposes??? I think that is what is is and I am getting it confused with the "Top bar" frame set-up.

My plan as of right now (if I figure out the frame thing) is to get wood frames with either the Pierco plastic foundation or the crimped wire foundations. I do not have a clue what I should use. The "Starter Hive" kits from Betterbee come with both (you just have to designate).

I am going to get (1) complete starter kit and (2) Increase Hive kits. What I am gathering is the complete starter kit has the hat, veil, hive tool, smoker and beekeeping book. The increase kits just don't have the "fluff"...just the hardware.

The more I read...the more I am putting it all together. I just know I am running out of time here. I have basically 5-weeks to get everything and it set up before the bees come. If I order what "I think I need" and when I get home I have forgotten something...I am afraid I will not have time to punt before the bees arrive.

That is why I am trying to cross all the "T's" and dot all the "I's" now!

Make any sense...?

You say that you use black plastic foundations in your deeps (I am assuming you are refering to you hive bodies)??? What do you use in your supers (black plastic as well)?

That's enough rambling for now...

Thanks again,

Brian

The Permacomb is white for supers 6 5/8 boxes

Both of these foundations will "snap" into the frame after assembley

I think you have your "Ts" and "Is" in a lot better order than I did my first time.

Tony is a really encouraging guy, isn't he? Thanks Tony! It was good to see your name again. I'll be posting off and on during bee season.

Marie