Today's entry is in regards to a honeybee swarm.
Thursday of this week a friend of mine who happens to be a beekeeper got a tip about a swarm of bees. We checked it out and discovered the bees had recently taken up residence in what is called an egg cooler. The bees were very mellow, they were not concerned about us in any way. So their temperment seemed good. We setup our gear and began removing the comb and the bees. The bees made about three deeps worth of frames. There were so many bees. I used a dust bin and brush to collect them and then dumped them into the hive body containing their comb. It took some time to collect the bees with the dustbin but it seemed to go well. We took a couple of breaks during that time to let the bees settle and to cool off since it was so hot. We think we got the queen because more bees were flying over to the hive body and settling on it.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
August 9, 2009 - 1pm
It was in the high 90s, clear skies and lightly breezey at the bee yard.
I used a watering can to put down insecticide to deal with the ants.
I used the weed eater all around the hive stand to clear away weeds and grass.
Next weekend I will attempt a thorough inspection of both hives.
I used a watering can to put down insecticide to deal with the ants.
I used the weed eater all around the hive stand to clear away weeds and grass.
Next weekend I will attempt a thorough inspection of both hives.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
August 8, 2009 - 4:30pm
Temps were in the low 80s. It was overcast with lite rain.
Alpha Hive
The honey super had ants all around the outside.
Opened up the honey super. The girls cleaned it up nicely. Bees covered three of the middle frames. Looked like they were repairing the damaged comb.
On the ground in front of the Alpha hive I found several bees that had deformed wings!!! So I need to start using the fogger to deal with the varroa mites.
An inspection of the lower brood boxes was not done.
Beta Hive
The bees have 2 frames 50% capped and are working from the middle of the super outwards.
I didn't remove the honey super to do an inspection this weekend.
Alpha Hive
The honey super had ants all around the outside.
Opened up the honey super. The girls cleaned it up nicely. Bees covered three of the middle frames. Looked like they were repairing the damaged comb.
On the ground in front of the Alpha hive I found several bees that had deformed wings!!! So I need to start using the fogger to deal with the varroa mites.
An inspection of the lower brood boxes was not done.
Beta Hive
The bees have 2 frames 50% capped and are working from the middle of the super outwards.
I didn't remove the honey super to do an inspection this weekend.
Friday, August 7, 2009
August 6, 2009 - 8 am
It was 88º, clear skies and no breeze at the bee yard.
Alpha Hive
Decided to go ahead and harvest the honey. The frames were not as fully drawn as they were in the spring so there was not as much honey. There was a total of 26 pounds of honey and thats okay with me. Returned the super with the empty frames to the hive to let them clean it up. I'll check on that this weekend.
Beta Hive
Did not disturb this hive. I will check the honey super this weekend.
Alpha Hive
Decided to go ahead and harvest the honey. The frames were not as fully drawn as they were in the spring so there was not as much honey. There was a total of 26 pounds of honey and thats okay with me. Returned the super with the empty frames to the hive to let them clean it up. I'll check on that this weekend.
Beta Hive
Did not disturb this hive. I will check the honey super this weekend.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
August 2, 2009 - 1 pm
Its been raining every day since last Saturday. Today it was partly cloudy and about 85º, little or no breeze...seemed like it was more humid than usual for this time of the year.
Alpha Hive.
Checked the honey super, and the girls have capped about 80% of all 10 frames! So by next Saturday the honey super should be ready for harvest.
The honey super had a lot of bees on the frames in areas where the cells were still exposed. I will be ordering a honey super to put on this hive for the fall.
I noticed that on the front of the hive there were large numbers of bees hanging out. Could be due to the high humidity or they did not have another super to work on....
Buttoned everything back up and walked away in amazement at how much honey this hive is storing.
Beta Hive
Also checked the honey super on this hive. All frames are filled with honey and the girls are just starting to cap. If things go well maybe in a week to two weeks this super will be capped and ready for harvest!
There were bees all over every frame in the super!
The front of the hive had a hundred or so bees hanging out, could be for cooling or lack of something do to....hmmm
Alpha Hive.
Checked the honey super, and the girls have capped about 80% of all 10 frames! So by next Saturday the honey super should be ready for harvest.
The honey super had a lot of bees on the frames in areas where the cells were still exposed. I will be ordering a honey super to put on this hive for the fall.
I noticed that on the front of the hive there were large numbers of bees hanging out. Could be due to the high humidity or they did not have another super to work on....
Buttoned everything back up and walked away in amazement at how much honey this hive is storing.
Beta Hive
Also checked the honey super on this hive. All frames are filled with honey and the girls are just starting to cap. If things go well maybe in a week to two weeks this super will be capped and ready for harvest!
There were bees all over every frame in the super!
The front of the hive had a hundred or so bees hanging out, could be for cooling or lack of something do to....hmmm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
