Mr Bee ?

[Pete D]

As mentioned in my Sunday post (What I did in the apiary today) after looking in my hives and adding fondant where it was needed I questioned the presence of a dead (fresh) Drone outside on the snow.
What is the likelyhood of it being a retained Drone from last summer or could it be a 2012 new arrival.
Either way I have noted the hive needs an early inspection for queen rightness.
What are your thoughts please ?
Pete D

 

[Poly Hive]

Chill out, it is from last year in all probability.

PH

 

[Pete D]

I am chilled really. Just something I havent noticed or experienced before as its my first winter and the books I read have been translated into buzz yet. Dont they know they are supposed to evict all the lazy drones in September unless they want to supercede the queen in autumn or swarm early spring cos she is on her last legs or poorly mated.
I did wonder if this hive may have 2 queens as when I had a look in October I am sure I saw a thin smallish one along with my clipped and marked plump one......... scooting around.......... hey hey whoa...... these long dark cold nights and days have my mind inventing problems for me to tackle with newbie aplomb.... cant wait !
Pete D

 

[thedeaddiplomat]

......... scooting around.......... hey hey whoa...... these long dark cold nights and days have my mind inventing problems for me to tackle with newbie aplomb.... cant wait !
Pete D

But wait you must!

One of the most important lessons I have so far learned is the futility of rushing into inspections etc when there is nothing I can do whatever I find. If there are two Queens, then the workers will sort things out to their own satisfaction in their own time. If you have a DLQ, then there is nothing you can do about it until either you can obtain or raise another one - or at least until you can pinch a spare frame of eggs from another hive.

Remember, that the bees (collectively) have coped quite well (some would say better) without our help for millenia. Chances are they will continue to do so long after humans have disappeared from the face of this planet. So another few weeks through this winter is unlikely to make a great deal of difference.

Put your feet up and relax - there will doubtless be a time in late Spring when you are chasing swarms etc, when you can be as productively hyper as you like!

 

[Pete D]

Thank you for wise words............and wait I will.
Did learn some patience last summer when I waited nearly seven weeks to find my new queen had at last started laying.
Cheers
Pete D

 

[rockdoc]

For what its worth, I had a good number of drones in my first winter of hive ownership. It bothered me a little then until a wise local beek said it was not unknown. The hive in question went through the winter and was strong for the following season.

 

[For want of a better word]

You are not alone with your drone !
I marked one once playing around with a new red Uniposca pen auntie bought me.
He was long lived survived the late autumn into the next spring... then vanished...
I miss that drone !

 

[Rosti]

I miss that drone !

..... and he still speaks fondly of you. He's finished with field work and has a desk job up at the national bee unit now, but I see him in and around the coffee shops of York now and again. By the way he's a man city supporter and never forgave you for the red blob.

 

[oliver90owner]

Pete D,

Just check at the earliest opportunity. Sort out beforehand where you are going to unite if she is a drone layer. While they are raising drones it is the worst of both worlds. Using up stores unecessarily and the bees will be developing into 'limited lifespan' bees. I would sugar-dust both colonies and unite or run the bees in on a warm day after remopving the DLQ. I don't unite with paper early in the spring.

Hopefully it won't come to that, but just be prepared.

Regards, RAB

 

[Pete D]

Many thanks for the advice, I will add it to my 'plan'. Will check queenie when the forst opportunity arises. I have a couple of over wintering Nuc's which may be prime candidates for an early unite if the needs arises. For now though I will be patient and wait.
Cheers
Pete D

 

[goodbobby]

Many thanks for the advice, I will add it to my 'plan'. Will check queenie when the forst opportunity arises. I have a couple of over wintering Nuc's which may be prime candidates for an early unite if the needs arises. For now though I will be patient and wait.
Cheers
Pete D

Hi Pete D

I must admit to being over-awed at the intensity of your level of beekeeping planning after your first year and the fact that you appear to have 12 "colonies" after just 12 months into what is a long learning curve.

I have a couple of beek mates (who have fortunately calmed down now), who when starting beekeeping, initially drastically over-fed their charges, tore their hives apart in what seemed to be a continuing round of unnecessary and very frequent "inspections" and seemed to feed every conceivable over-priced wonder bee treatment/ chemical known to man to their bees and the results were not good!

The deaddiplomat's advice is very sound. My advice, for what it's worth, is that your main underlying role is gentle, informed monitoring. Otherwise with 12 colonies you will end up not being a decent beek, but simply emulating the proverbial "blue ar**d fly!"

Good luck with your endeavours

 

[Pete D]

Thanks for the good luck wish Goodbobby.
I will admit to being very enthusiastic and keen as hell, just like most newbies and yes to have grown to 12 colonies in less than 12 months is certainly pushing it. I did pick up 9 of these (now 8 after a unite) late September from someone who was giving up. My original 2 hives I took into the winter as 4 after a modest harvest and bit of swarm control....and collecting.
I hope that behind all the enthusiasm is a good beekeeper in the making, with common sense and the bees welfare to the fore.
In my first year I attended approx 30 class room or apiary teaching sessions and am booked in for another 20 or so already this year along with my weeks work experience with a commercial bee keeper. Of course attendance is no gaurantee to learning. I know its not easy and have a long way to go and look forward to learning everyday from the bees, from the forum, my association, mentors and friends.
I keep in mind the best piece of advice I got from an early stage (ok 10 months ago) 'Stop and think, why are you going in to that hive, do you need to, what are you going to do, what are you looking for. Its not a sight seeing trip and the bees have to put it all back together when you have finished'.
Here's to a successful 2012 season, your hopes, aspirations, harvest and your bees........... enjoy.
Pete D

 

[Elaine]

'Stop and think, why are you going in to that hive, do you need to, what are you going to do, what are you looking for. Its not a sight seeing trip and the bees have to put it all back together when you have finished'.

As someone just about to go into their second year of beekeeping - I think this is an excellent piece of advice - the only things I would add is that unless absolutely necessary do not attempt to do anything you had not planned to do - plan it as part of the next 'visit', and if you open up and the bees are in a bad mood - be prepared to leave them alone. ( I know this can't always apply to the commercial situation )