I gave Hive #2 some Fumigilin today in 1/2 gallon of 2:1 syrup. It will need another dose when this is gone.
No meds in Hive #1 since they have supers on
No meds in Hive #3 since I had a mason jar filled with 1:1 syrup already and didn't want to disturb this hive until it's fully blended with the Nuc, which I did just yesterday.
I have pain everywhere today due to the number of bee stings yesterday!
I had to put back into Hive #1 the empty super frames this morning and also needed to get some equipment from the area to wash it. When I opened up Hive #1 to just add the frames, they swarmed me! Oh man, they didn't like to be disturbed by me again! Not in two consecutive days.
Only one sting on the wrist. But, I'm over getting stung.. I need to remember that, at this time of year, they don't want anyone taking their honey. So they're very protective....hence the stings. I've gone all season with no stings until yesterday.
I'll leave the bees alone now for a few weeks...so we can all recover.
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Friday, September 15, 2017
Finally going to extract some honey!
Today I was able to take 5 or 6 frames out of the supers on Hive 1. I have a few more but they aren't fully capped yet so will leave them for a bit longer.
Then I decided to merge Hive 3 and the Nuc. If I don't, neither will last the winter. As it is, I'll most likely need to feed them throughout the winter because I don't think there will be enough stores.
That Hive 3 is vicious! Somehow the bees broke into my suit and I started getting stung on the head...if I collapse, you'll know why. Also a few stings around the ankles because the elastics holding suit in place around my legs lifted up in all the commotion and they found my ankles. Also one on the wrist.
But now they are merged and hope they relax.
I was so worn out that I didn't even open Hive 2. I'll save that for another day.
Then I decided to merge Hive 3 and the Nuc. If I don't, neither will last the winter. As it is, I'll most likely need to feed them throughout the winter because I don't think there will be enough stores.
That Hive 3 is vicious! Somehow the bees broke into my suit and I started getting stung on the head...if I collapse, you'll know why. Also a few stings around the ankles because the elastics holding suit in place around my legs lifted up in all the commotion and they found my ankles. Also one on the wrist.
But now they are merged and hope they relax.
I was so worn out that I didn't even open Hive 2. I'll save that for another day.
Monday, September 4, 2017
Hive check 9/4/17
What an adventure!
Eight days ago, in my hive inspection, Hive #2 appeared to be queenless. I saw a lot of uncapped honey and pollen coming in, but I saw no brood at all. I had decided to wait a week and if still queenless, I would merge Hive 2 and Hive 3 since Hive 3 is going strong with what appears to be a energetic queen.
However, today, when I opened Hive #2, I saw an entirely different scenario. I had many many frames with capped brood. I saw open cells with brood in various stages of development. I saw capped honey in the upper corners. So plan B is to leave them both alone!
Later on, when I'm ready to wrap them for the winter, I will put Hive 3 on top of Hive 2, separately so that hive #3 can catch the warmth of the hive below...and hopefully winter them over.
At some point I'll need to merge the Nuc into somewhere. It only has 3 frames full right now.
Then I went into Hive #1 to find many frames nearly capped. But only two were completely capped over. I'm hoping that in another few weeks, they will all be capped and I'll actually get some honey. I was beginning to doubt that I would since it's so late in the season. I think I've over manipulated the hives this year, trying to expand.
It does look like I'll get a decent enough harvest, although a little late.
Eight days ago, in my hive inspection, Hive #2 appeared to be queenless. I saw a lot of uncapped honey and pollen coming in, but I saw no brood at all. I had decided to wait a week and if still queenless, I would merge Hive 2 and Hive 3 since Hive 3 is going strong with what appears to be a energetic queen.
However, today, when I opened Hive #2, I saw an entirely different scenario. I had many many frames with capped brood. I saw open cells with brood in various stages of development. I saw capped honey in the upper corners. So plan B is to leave them both alone!
Later on, when I'm ready to wrap them for the winter, I will put Hive 3 on top of Hive 2, separately so that hive #3 can catch the warmth of the hive below...and hopefully winter them over.
At some point I'll need to merge the Nuc into somewhere. It only has 3 frames full right now.
Then I went into Hive #1 to find many frames nearly capped. But only two were completely capped over. I'm hoping that in another few weeks, they will all be capped and I'll actually get some honey. I was beginning to doubt that I would since it's so late in the season. I think I've over manipulated the hives this year, trying to expand.
It does look like I'll get a decent enough harvest, although a little late.
Sunday, August 27, 2017
hive check 8/27/17
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.
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 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.
Friday, July 28, 2017
July 28 hive inspection - all looks good
4) Let's start with the Nuc...It has only three completed frames but I saw the queen. Probably because there were so few bees. But it looks healthy and I see brood in there so I did nothing to the Nuc. I'll just keep watch.
3) Hive 3 is the new hive, second from the right. That looks healthy and there was brood, capped and uncapped so I must have a queen in there but I didn't see her. Because I had some frames that were new and not drawn out with comb, I added a top hive feeder and some 1:1 syrup to give them a boost.
2) Hive 2 appears to be thriving after such a slow start this year. I removed a bunch of comb, added some syrup to the feeder inside the hive, and also put the super back on the top in case it's needed. They aren't really using it yet.
1) I have a lot of bees in this hive but the second deep seemed rather light on honey stores...but I did move some frames out of this last time so I think it just hasn't had time to recover yet in 10 days, at least half of which were rainy. So I added the top hive feeder again to hopefully help them build comb on the new frames faster. I saw progress but this should help. Then they should be ready for the goldenrod coming very soon.
I'm thankful for my flowers because I think they really help the bees in the slower times. I did see lots of colored pollen in the hives...yellow, orange and white...
I charged the fence yesterday too so I think the bees should be fine for a week or two.
Lastly, others use tie downs to hold the hives together so I bought some..the kind with a ratchet at the end. I added one to Hive 1 and Hive 4 and was tired so I stopped. My fence has a strong charge so I think I'll be ok should a bear decide to break in. I think (hope) they have learned to stay from this fence.
Soon, I'll pull off the supers from Hive 1. That's probably the only harvest for this year.
3) Hive 3 is the new hive, second from the right. That looks healthy and there was brood, capped and uncapped so I must have a queen in there but I didn't see her. Because I had some frames that were new and not drawn out with comb, I added a top hive feeder and some 1:1 syrup to give them a boost.
2) Hive 2 appears to be thriving after such a slow start this year. I removed a bunch of comb, added some syrup to the feeder inside the hive, and also put the super back on the top in case it's needed. They aren't really using it yet.
1) I have a lot of bees in this hive but the second deep seemed rather light on honey stores...but I did move some frames out of this last time so I think it just hasn't had time to recover yet in 10 days, at least half of which were rainy. So I added the top hive feeder again to hopefully help them build comb on the new frames faster. I saw progress but this should help. Then they should be ready for the goldenrod coming very soon.
I'm thankful for my flowers because I think they really help the bees in the slower times. I did see lots of colored pollen in the hives...yellow, orange and white...
I charged the fence yesterday too so I think the bees should be fine for a week or two.
Lastly, others use tie downs to hold the hives together so I bought some..the kind with a ratchet at the end. I added one to Hive 1 and Hive 4 and was tired so I stopped. My fence has a strong charge so I think I'll be ok should a bear decide to break in. I think (hope) they have learned to stay from this fence.
Soon, I'll pull off the supers from Hive 1. That's probably the only harvest for this year.
Monday, July 17, 2017
Hive check 7/16/17 - and new pink hive
I'm excited because for the past 2-3 years, I've been trying to increase the number of hives with no success. This year, I purchased two nucs so I could switch around frames and use them to shore up the weaker hives.
- Hive 1 is the tallest. I need to pull off some honey from that hive soon. One super is just about full.
- Hive 2 is the second tallest. I added more sugar syrup to that one this week since many of the frames are not drawn out and I saw a lot of uncapped honey. I also added a super in case they needed room for eggs.
- Hive 3 is the pink one which is now half full, with plenty of brood and seemingly very active.
- Nuc is on the far right. I added some frames in there in case something should happen with them but don't expect much. I saw little activity in there yet had bees going in and out so I'll watch that one for a bit.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with the progress this year.
I'm beginning to think about medications for the fall and insulation. I remembered that I have a bunch of bubble pack type insulation in the shed that I used to use in the greenhouse. I don't know why that wouldn't be good for insulating the hives. Wrap that around the hives and secure with bungie cords.
In the past I've used bales of hay but thought I'd try this other method...but will run the idea by some other beekeepers to make sure this is a good idea.
Now we need lots of sun to get more flowers. I know golden rod is coming but this year's rain has cut down on flowers I think. I notice it in the vegetable garden too.
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