wondering WHY? that's the BIG QUESTION for northern beekeepers this time of year, eh?
here's a link on HOW TO AUTOPSY A DEAD HIVE:
http://www.beverlybees.com/how-to-autopsy-a-honey-bee-colony/
here's a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MjYFlXwKQs
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
Holy cats!
I heard them long before I saw them... They're very happy to be out!!! all the little SPECS in the picture are bees FLYING.
SUGAR SYRUP BUCKETS ARE ON!
made the first buckets of sugar syrup with NOSEMA TREATMENT. 40's today - they're already out at 9:30 am. the sides are open and the canvas is 1/4 up on the beehouse. one hive has nosema...bad. i'm glad to be able to get them MEDICATED EARLY!!!! 7 of 8 still going.....
Monday, March 3, 2014
beekeeper FRED - IS COUNTING!
after POLAR VORTEX #5 (March 3, 2014)
10 of 22 surviving. Lost one Russian since last check.
* 5 of 9 (55%) Russians are surviving. One is very weak (hard baseball size) and probably won't make it.
* 5 of 13 (38%) of package/Buckfast are surviving. Several sound weak.
All of my hives were started early May or early June. Article in Bee Journal stated that in New York packages started in early May can barely put enough honey away for winter. With this tough winter and the late start its not surprising survival is low. Need warmer weather quickly!
i've posted the FRED's MARCH HIGHLIGHTS from the hives in the COMMENTARY SECTION - take a look there.
Fred's OBSERVATIONS AS OF APRIL 7
"Restacked Hives A and Q"
Hive A - a RUSSIAN queen was out of cluster and flying vigorously
Hive Q - a PACKAGE queen was still in cluster, only 2 bees flying.
***looks like the RUSSIAN STOCK gets moving at colder temps...
(***added) Fred's observations as of April 20
One more package hive just petered out.
FINAL COUNT: 44% of Russians survived; 15% of package queens survived
ADDED feed pails to the two surviving hives and to the two 100% Russian hives
to stimulate them.
10 of 22 surviving. Lost one Russian since last check.
* 5 of 9 (55%) Russians are surviving. One is very weak (hard baseball size) and probably won't make it.
* 5 of 13 (38%) of package/Buckfast are surviving. Several sound weak.
All of my hives were started early May or early June. Article in Bee Journal stated that in New York packages started in early May can barely put enough honey away for winter. With this tough winter and the late start its not surprising survival is low. Need warmer weather quickly!
i've posted the FRED's MARCH HIGHLIGHTS from the hives in the COMMENTARY SECTION - take a look there.
Fred's OBSERVATIONS AS OF APRIL 7
"Restacked Hives A and Q"
Hive A - a RUSSIAN queen was out of cluster and flying vigorously
Hive Q - a PACKAGE queen was still in cluster, only 2 bees flying.
***looks like the RUSSIAN STOCK gets moving at colder temps...
(***added) Fred's observations as of April 20
One more package hive just petered out.
FINAL COUNT: 44% of Russians survived; 15% of package queens survived
ADDED feed pails to the two surviving hives and to the two 100% Russian hives
to stimulate them.
