Well, things aren't quite as rosy as I would like but, if I've learned anything with this hobby, it's that it's a challenge. I need to be ready for anything.
Today, Hive #2, that has been a weak hive from Day 1, is without brood and queen and there's not enough honey for them through the winter unless something changes. I removed the super from that hive since there's no action in there at all. They don't need the extra space as we go forward into the fall. Last few nights were pretty cold for them. I did add more sugar syrup though since there are still a few frames with no comb and I'd like to see them making comb.
Hive #1 still doesn't have enough capped honey nor full enough frames for me to take any. I'm beginning to think I may not get any honey for myself this year. I've tried to make it an expanding year. Otherwise it looks good and strong. I removed the feeder from this hive. I just read that you shouldn't be feeding them syrup if you have supers on the hive. Oops. I didn't realize that. Perhaps that's why I see so much uncapped honey...it's really sugar syrup...at least for now. We have a bit more time in the season to see what happens here.
Hive #3 is still humming along slowly. There is brood in there as well as honey but only half the frames are filled or partially filled. But it has a queen so I am thinking of adding this hive to the top of Hive #2 with newspaper in between. Then, once they merge, the queen can help strengthen this hive. I will wait another week before doing this since I've been in the hive twice in two days. I'd better give them a break.
The Nuc seems to be doing ok too. There is capped brood and fresh eggs so there should be a queen but I didn't see her. It's only 3 frames though. I'm not sure what to do with this Nuc. It will need to get merged with another hive, probably, before winter since I don't know if there will be enough bees to keep themselves warm.
All things to think about. Meanwhile the fence has been recharged because I'm expecting more bear activity soon.
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Sunday, August 13, 2017
August 11th inspection
It's good to have this blog because it encourages me to document the goings on in my hives. Otherwise, I'd forget the details from previous inspections. As it is, it's already been a few days...
I am finally feeling much more comfortable going into the hives. If I get strung at all, I don't seem to be as allergic to the stings as I was at the beginning. I was told this would happen and it seems to have been true.
My intent this week was to pull out some frames and extract honey. But I think the one hive where there will be honey for the taking is still a few weeks away. There were frames partially full but I don't want to take it until they're fuller. So instead of extracting, I made sure to refill the sugar syrup since they were all dry.
I then realized that the little Nuc was the only hive that didn't have sugar syrup! So I used the mason jar technique , added an empty Nuc box (a second story box) to house the mason jar and syrup. I could add some frames around it in the future, if needed, but the Nuc isn't ready for that yet. I just want the bees to make comb since 3 of the frames need to be drawn out so the queen can lay eggs. Got to move quickly as the season will be winding up shortly.
It's hard to believe how fast the summer has gone. The light has changed...days are shorter. The nights have been pretty cool all summer long anyway. I fear a tough winter and don't feel ready. But I've lined up a plan for the bees...a loose plan anyway.
Instead of using hay to insulate the hives (in addition to roofing paper, I have this bubble pack insulation in the shed that I will wrap over the bubble pack. and I will put the smaller hive over the larger hive to help insulate it. I will need to feed as well. Maybe I'd better purchase a snow blower to I can have a path to the hive all winter...still thinking it through.
I am finally feeling much more comfortable going into the hives. If I get strung at all, I don't seem to be as allergic to the stings as I was at the beginning. I was told this would happen and it seems to have been true.
My intent this week was to pull out some frames and extract honey. But I think the one hive where there will be honey for the taking is still a few weeks away. There were frames partially full but I don't want to take it until they're fuller. So instead of extracting, I made sure to refill the sugar syrup since they were all dry.
I then realized that the little Nuc was the only hive that didn't have sugar syrup! So I used the mason jar technique , added an empty Nuc box (a second story box) to house the mason jar and syrup. I could add some frames around it in the future, if needed, but the Nuc isn't ready for that yet. I just want the bees to make comb since 3 of the frames need to be drawn out so the queen can lay eggs. Got to move quickly as the season will be winding up shortly.
It's hard to believe how fast the summer has gone. The light has changed...days are shorter. The nights have been pretty cool all summer long anyway. I fear a tough winter and don't feel ready. But I've lined up a plan for the bees...a loose plan anyway.
Instead of using hay to insulate the hives (in addition to roofing paper, I have this bubble pack insulation in the shed that I will wrap over the bubble pack. and I will put the smaller hive over the larger hive to help insulate it. I will need to feed as well. Maybe I'd better purchase a snow blower to I can have a path to the hive all winter...still thinking it through.
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