Bees went very tetchy when the OSR flow stopped and some went broodless for a period before the queens started laying again. This seems to happen every time we have OSR around us, it's an unnatural amount of single species pollen and nectar which clearly upsets the bees normal behaviour patterns.
Slowly getting through the business of extracting the honey crop and putting the wet supers back to the bees. Very time consuming constantly moving frames, supers and honey buckets to and fro, heating, cooling, cleaning, more cleaning, dodging hungry bees that have found out where I'm doing the extracting!
Colonies are all queen right, no foul brood notifications (touch wood),time to do full health inspections and think about the summer varroa treatment.
Happy days!
Today's Buzz!
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Re: Today's Buzz!
Just because we can, doesn't mean we should!
Be environmentally aware, responsible and sustainable.
Be environmentally aware, responsible and sustainable.
Re: Today's Buzz!
After an extended period of unusually hot sunny weather it has clouded over and is a cooler 19C thundery day, and the bees are tetchy!
Over the last few weeks colonies were loaded with supers and swarm prevention measures applied but even after splits were made some were just determined to swarm. Some we caught, some not, but losing a swarm is no big deal and is essentially what honeybees need to do in order to maintain their genetic health.
The phone has been ringing a lot with folks needing help with 'swarms', and the majority were not 'swarms' but were bumblebees, tree bumblebees mostly. There have also been calls about honeybee swarms that have ended up in places that are difficult if not impossible to get them out of - cavity walls, chimney stack walls, roof cavities. The cost of having those removed by an expert is eye watering.
We collected and trapped a few swarms and about 10 of these were passed on to other beekeepers, we have enough colonies already, probably too many if I'm honest!
The first crop of honey has been removed and extraction is underway. It's disappointing just how quickly OSR starts to set but it's easy enough to get it liquid again by heating the lot up although that means losing the wax comb that I prefer to put back to the bees wet for them to clean up and refill.
Mustn't forget the June gap!
Over the last few weeks colonies were loaded with supers and swarm prevention measures applied but even after splits were made some were just determined to swarm. Some we caught, some not, but losing a swarm is no big deal and is essentially what honeybees need to do in order to maintain their genetic health.
The phone has been ringing a lot with folks needing help with 'swarms', and the majority were not 'swarms' but were bumblebees, tree bumblebees mostly. There have also been calls about honeybee swarms that have ended up in places that are difficult if not impossible to get them out of - cavity walls, chimney stack walls, roof cavities. The cost of having those removed by an expert is eye watering.
We collected and trapped a few swarms and about 10 of these were passed on to other beekeepers, we have enough colonies already, probably too many if I'm honest!
The first crop of honey has been removed and extraction is underway. It's disappointing just how quickly OSR starts to set but it's easy enough to get it liquid again by heating the lot up although that means losing the wax comb that I prefer to put back to the bees wet for them to clean up and refill.
Mustn't forget the June gap!
Just because we can, doesn't mean we should!
Be environmentally aware, responsible and sustainable.
Be environmentally aware, responsible and sustainable.
Re: Today's Buzz!
Weather has been poor this last fortnight keeping the bees activity to a short period each day. Was considering the need for feeding but today the sun is out, it's 16C, and they are working hard on the nearby OSR and the many flowering plants and trees around. No sign of swarming yet but drones are on the go and they will be sexually mature at 36 days so there is a need to be vigilant.
Just because we can, doesn't mean we should!
Be environmentally aware, responsible and sustainable.
Be environmentally aware, responsible and sustainable.
Re: Today's Buzz!
Sun shining and 14C, the bees were enjoying the spring weather and abundance of pollen although the breeze putting a chill in the air. Reconfigured the hives for spring. Removed the all important duct tape that kept the draughts out. The honey supers placed under the brood box at the onset of winter have been mostly cleaned out, those that are suitable are used again. Hefted the brood boxes to assess the stores then a careful and quick look at the center brood frames, all was well with eggs and brood all stages, not looking for the queen yet. Cleaned up the floors and Varroa boards, replaced the queen excluder and put on three supers, some with drawn comb some with new. No emerged drones yet.
Just because we can, doesn't mean we should!
Be environmentally aware, responsible and sustainable.
Be environmentally aware, responsible and sustainable.
Re: Today's Buzz!
11th April, temperature up into double figures and the sun's out. Stores nearly all used up and the bees are bringing in lots of pollen and building comb around the feeders, time to put the wet supers on.
Eager to get going in the first week of April, it only took 10 days for this colony have filled the spaces in the eke with comb, which is already mostly full of hatched larvae and a little honey. A sneaky peek in the brood chamber revealed 5 frames of brood at various stages. Time to remove the draft proofing tape and get the supers on! Good start, hope the weather keeps improving, nearby OSR starting to flower.
Eager to get going in the first week of April, it only took 10 days for this colony have filled the spaces in the eke with comb, which is already mostly full of hatched larvae and a little honey. A sneaky peek in the brood chamber revealed 5 frames of brood at various stages. Time to remove the draft proofing tape and get the supers on! Good start, hope the weather keeps improving, nearby OSR starting to flower.
Just because we can, doesn't mean we should!
Be environmentally aware, responsible and sustainable.
Be environmentally aware, responsible and sustainable.
Re: Today's Buzz!
2nd April - After a spell of really cold dull days the sun is fully out after a frosty start to the day. The temperature is still low at 7C but bees are as busy as any summer day and they are loaded to the hilt with yellow pollen,a glorious sight!
The supers will be going on soon!
The supers will be going on soon!
Today's Buzz!
Changeable weather, 11C, bees out gathering bright and dark orange pollen between showers. Quick look through the glass cover board to see bees up in eke building comb. Soon be time to take it off, replace queen excluder and get the supers on. :D