NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE by beekeeper Fred

Yesterday and today I have been treating my hives with FormicPro.   I also specifically choose this week because of the milder temperatures, which slow the formic acid vapor release. Usually the bees just buzz a little louder when the pads are put in and give the pads a wide berth.  Yesterday I saw an unusual reaction.  About 15 minutes after I treated a hive it seemed that all of the bees exited the hive and then formed a beard beneath the outer cover.  Its now been 24 hours and the majority still haven't gone back in.  I've treated about 40 hives in the last two days and no other hive reacted this way.  

Yep, that's all bees.

ROADSIDE BOUNTY

If there is sufficient rain and the county road mowing crews don't hit your area, the roadsides can provide nectar for your bees.  Here are a few of the more common roadside flowers.

A mix of white sweet clover and wild chicory 

Crown vetch

Trefoil

Wild Daylilies-never seen a bee on these

SWARM SEASON IS CONTINUING

Yesterday beekeeper Gerard reported a swarm issued from one of his hives and parked itself in a high tree.  He tried a bait hive, but eventually it flew off to the wilds.

Yesterday during a routine drive around inspection of hives I noted a swarm had occupied one of my top bar hives.

Today I captured a 5 lb swarm after a neighbor informed me of its presence.

I think all my swarms issued from overwintered hives; none from package.

So during your biweekly hive inspection make sure to look for queen cells and remove them unless you don't mind your hives swarming,

Swarming seems to be lasting longer through the summer this year.  Since swarming usually only occurs during the nectar flow, this may be a good sign for a longer and stronger nectar flow this summer.  We can always hope for the best.

THE ROLE OF DRIFTING AND ROBBING submitted by beekeeper Gerard

Here is an interesting article about mite bomb hives and robber bees.

https://www.beeculture.com/catch-the-buzz-the-roles-of-drifting-and-robbing-in-varroa-destructor-mite-infested-colonies/

JULY'S ECWBA CLUB MEETING-20 July 2019

Its been a different spring and summer so far.  Cool and wet.  Still some colonies are making honey.  Normally the bees do not make much honey in the second half or July and August.  But who knows the high moisture levels may extend nectar gathering into August.  At least we can hope that will happen.  At our July meeting I suspect we will be talking about normal years when the honey harvest is done in early August and controlling mites populations soon thereafter.

The July meeting will be 9:30AM at the Caestecker Public Library in Green Lake.