Archive for the ‘pollinator post’ Category

Darn, another late-season collapse

Monday, December 14th, 2009

We’ve had a bit of cold weather, and I don’t know whether that had anything to do with this or not, but Patti’s second hive is gone. I haven’t completely opened it up to see if there are any bodies or other evidence of a problem, but I plan to do so soonest. It’s raining and cold this week, so maybe next. Patti said there was much activity 2 weeks ago, but that could have been robbing. It’s definitely empty now.

In case the cold was a problem, I put the bottom board back on my remaining hive here at the house. They still look good, so I have my fingers crossed they’ll make it. Patti’s was a REALLY healthy hive, so agin I’m stumped as to why they failed. I may have to move the location, even tho it seems ideal, in case it’s exposure to the wind on that side of the hill.

Poor bees.

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Winter and the bees

Monday, November 30th, 2009
my bee doodles

my bee doodles

I’ve  been so busy finishing my Masters thesis, I’ve let this blog go! Both of my remaining hives, one here at the house and one at Patti’s down the street, seem to be doing fine. Lots less activity since the big rainstorm and cooler weather hit, but no big, traumatic die-off that I could see. I’ve spun 12 quarts of honey so far, and I’m still waiting for a warm day to extract my last super. A great year compared to the last few, to be sure!

We’re having an exceptionally dry year so far. That big storm is all the rain we’ve had of any substance and it’s almost December! Not good for the environment, but maybe less stressful for the bees? I’ve got the watering system running again, it’s that dry.

I’m going to take a peek inside my hives on a sunny day soon! Just curious!

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Last of the supers come off

Saturday, October 10th, 2009
Hive 2 in my lower yard was new this year but produced a super of honey

Hive 2 in my lower yard was new this year but produced a super of honey

I’m pulling the bee escape off of my successful hive at the with new package bees from Honeybee Genetics end of September. These bees were very active, and filled up a pre-built super in just a few weeks once they had built out both deeps. It wil be interesting to see if the honey is lighter than what I’ve harvested from down the street. I sure hope they make it through the winter!

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Pollinator post

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

Today I checked on the possible swarm in Hive 3 … darn. Either it was robbing activity all along, or the swarm moved on. Maybe they did, since there was a swarm hign in an oak tree nearby that caught my attention when I was walking down the street! My neighbor also mentioned honeybees that have taken up residence in a tree stump on a nearby hiking trail in the other direction, so it seems that the local bees are doing well right now. We’ve had 3 days of 90s weather this week, however, and I worry about their food supply.

Hive 1: still poking along. 

Hive 2: The package bees in my yard still doing well. I have 2 deeps on them and plan to check asap now that the weather has cooled off a bit.

Hive 4: You go girls! I have 2 supers on them and maybe can do a third, depending on the weather. Finally success at my down-the-street neighbor’s excellent location.

Posted in Hive health 09, Swarms, pollinator post | No Comments »