Himalayan Balsam

[keith evans]

One of my hives seems to have found the balsam in the last few days…the vast majority of the foragers are coming back covered in white. So far the other two hives haven’t found it but I don’t suppose it will be long before they do. There’s a decent size river perhaps half a mile away so I’m guessing it’s growing there.

Is there likely to be a decent amount of nectar brought in from this…I.e. can I expect so harvest some honey from it or not?

My bees have found it as well in South Wales

 

[Swarm]

One of my hives seems to have found the balsam in the last few days…the vast majority of the foragers are coming back covered in white. So far the other two hives haven’t found it but I don’t suppose it will be long before they do. There’s a decent size river perhaps half a mile away so I’m guessing it’s growing there.

Is there likely to be a decent amount of nectar brought in from this…I.e. can I expect so harvest some honey from it or not?

Just returned from the bees and they are hammering the Balsam. 21 degrees and a combination of rain and sunshine, a tell tale white thorax and heavy landings, there is fresh nectar in the combs.
You've nothing to lose.

 

[Do224]

Are they piling in and out of the entrance?

They seem pretty busy but not sure if that constitutes ‘piling it in’? Seemingly not as many ghosts today

The colony is on single brood with one mostly full super that’s now on top with an empty drawn super below…no queen excluder


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