Keeping track of hives.

[bernsad]

How do you guys track your hives? Do you keep records of maintenance operations, supering, harvesting etc... Do you name your hives or number them in some fashion so you know which one you are refering to? I'm trying to explain to my wife which hive is doing what and I'm finding I need to name them or something.

[Larry Bees]

I number my hives and I write down information about each hive when I do my inspections. My memory isn't so good anymore. Larry

[Sundog]

I think you should let your wife name them.  My wife started refering to mine as "The Box" for the Lang, and "The Ark" for the KTBH (she thinks it looks like Noah's Ark).  How many hives are there?

Have fun!

[bernsad]

Oh the usual, I started with 2 in July and now I have 6.

[mikecva]

I started with colors then names:  Blue hive, Green , Yellow, tan pink, apple, chicken (closest to the chickens), swell, . . ,. I then gave up and used numbers (except the blue and chicken, they were my first) I keep track of colony size, honey, pests, feeding (if different then the norm) and attacks from skunks. I will be among the first to admit my records fall a little short as there were no pictures tracking problems that needed to be overcome.   -Mike

[Sundog]

Oh the usual, I started with 2 in July and now I have 6.

How about...   Sleepy, Sneezy, Happy, Grumpy, Bashfull, Dopey?  Then get one more to name Doc. 

Have fun!

[bernsad]

Do you label them with their names or just remember them?

[Mardak]

Use your lids and a little notebook. Some people use spreadsheets and I have heard somewhere there are apps for mobile phones.

[BlevinsBees]

I name each of my hives according to where they were captured or cut out from. A swarm I caught in Golden Gate Park I call the "GGP Girls", etc. I make up bumper stickers and put them on the front of each hive. I take a notebook with me when I do hive inspections then afterwards, my wife transfers the information to a spread sheet. I take a copy of the revised spread sheet with me on my next inspection and repeat the process. I can't begin to tell you how much this has helped in good hive maintenance. I have 17 hives at the moment and one Nuc and there's no way I can remember each of their history without writing it down.

[Country Heart]

I love the concept of naming your hives.  Thanks for the tip!   

[bernsad]

BlevinsBees, thanks for those tips I'm going to start a similar system.
Regards,
B

[OzBuzz]

You can also write notes either on the top of your lid with a wax marker or underneath your lid with the same

[jaseemtp]

I have my hives numbered and when I do an inspection I write on the lid.  Then follow up with my note book

[rawfind]

I use numbers on the lid and some online bee record keeping website, re Neil

[Birdswood]

I am using a program called Beetight. It's a free online program available at "beetight.com"
I find it to be a big help in recording the details of hives, inspections, photos, etc. It's worth a look.

Leigh

[KD4MOJ]

Hive Track: Check it out

...DOUG
KD4MOJ

[Larry Bees]

Hive Track: Check it out

...DOUG
KD4MOJ

This would be good if you can take your computer with you when you do your inspections. Otherwise, how would you be able to see what you wrote about each hive the last time that you did an inspection? Larry

P/S I guess most of you have laptops. I don't.

[KD4MOJ]

I make notes in the field, then transfer them to the computer for storage. Easier for me than to rummage through all my hand written notes since half the time I can't read my own handwriting!  . nice and tidy.

...DOUG
KD4MOJ