A beautiful 60 degree day yesterday was perfect for getting into the hive. I wanted to clean it out before spring...I did order a new package of bees to pick up in May. That's why I'm a stubborn ole fool. I NEED to get these bees through the winter months...all of them, not part of the winter. So will try yet again.
So here's what I found yesterday.
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| Not sure what this debris is . wax I guess. |
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| Here are two frames of honey...I ended up with about 4 full frames and another 3 or so with partial areas of honey. |
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| This is the top deep (there are three deeps). I think they were up at the top because that's where more of the honey was. |
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| Look at all the babies being born at the time they froze. |
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| One empty frame with these black dots. Not sure what they are but this will get a new foundation. |
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| The paper on top of these frames had been one method of attacking varroa - Oxilic acid solution. I don't believe varroa was a situation. |
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| Another frame with babies in the midst of being born. It breaks my heart!! |
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| Ugly frame. |
So the only thing I plan to do different this coming year is to make sure I wrap the hive. I will also go back to adding bales of hay around them for added protection. Otherwise I will stick to the same care as this year, but will probably change out the api strips for something else.
Another sad story (:.
