jd101k2000
Field Bee
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2013
- Messages
- 654
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Caerbryn, near Llandybie
- Hive Type
- 14x12
- Number of Hives
- 7
Hi,
I am new to keeping my own bees. I received my first colony from Gloucester bee auction at the start of May (sort of Italian cross bees). Very yellow on the abdomen at the thorax end. Then at the start of June I received some bees from Blue Grass Farm (Welsh, mongrelly, dark, fat things). Both arrived in five frame national nucleus boxes. The Italians ended up in a 14 x 12 brood box and the Welsh in a national brood box. (Please don't tell me it is stupid to mix brood box types, I already know.) The hives are also only about a foot apart, too. But they have a nice SE/SSE facing prospect.
Anyway, both are getting along fine. There is clearly some drifting. Managing to worry a newbie from time to time, but getting along great. I have been doing varroa counts off screened bottom boards and everything. I even fed them when they were new and during cold spells. Varroa count on the Italians about 1 per day. Welsh zero. I am using a board covered in petroleum jelly.
Now last week was dreadful weather. Welsh at 6 frames, Italians at 8. So I fed both colonies on the understanding that they would only take 1:1 syrup if they needed it. (Using a top feeder.) It went hugely fast. Between the hives, a couple of litres per day. Today, being glorious, I took off the feed. They were still taking it, but I thought they should get out more.
Anyway, boards for varroa counts have Welsh 1, Italians 1. (Not 1 per day, 1 per week.) That is after they have been in for a week. Both hives have loads of brood at all stages. I have even counted 3 drones in the Italian hive, none in the Welsh.
So, after all that:
1) Is it normal for bees to take syrup in glorious weather? Or should I stop it, as I did, to make them go out.
2) Why have my varroa left? [That really is not a complaint!] Could it be that there are fewer phoretic mites, as there is so much brood being produced? (Or is it that the earwigs, spider mites, etc. on the 'counting' bottom board have eaten the bodies?)
3) The Italians arrived with some chalkbrood. The bottom board gets about 3-4 mummies a day. Everything else seems fine with them, so is it best to let the bees get on with it? Welsh seem to be clear of it. In the inspection today, I did not notice any chalkbrood in the Italian comb.
Um, I seem to have rambled, but hope to chat on here more often. I have enjoyed reading the forum but this is only my second post.
I hope someone will be feeling charitable and leave some answers.
John
I am new to keeping my own bees. I received my first colony from Gloucester bee auction at the start of May (sort of Italian cross bees). Very yellow on the abdomen at the thorax end. Then at the start of June I received some bees from Blue Grass Farm (Welsh, mongrelly, dark, fat things). Both arrived in five frame national nucleus boxes. The Italians ended up in a 14 x 12 brood box and the Welsh in a national brood box. (Please don't tell me it is stupid to mix brood box types, I already know.) The hives are also only about a foot apart, too. But they have a nice SE/SSE facing prospect.
Anyway, both are getting along fine. There is clearly some drifting. Managing to worry a newbie from time to time, but getting along great. I have been doing varroa counts off screened bottom boards and everything. I even fed them when they were new and during cold spells. Varroa count on the Italians about 1 per day. Welsh zero. I am using a board covered in petroleum jelly.
Now last week was dreadful weather. Welsh at 6 frames, Italians at 8. So I fed both colonies on the understanding that they would only take 1:1 syrup if they needed it. (Using a top feeder.) It went hugely fast. Between the hives, a couple of litres per day. Today, being glorious, I took off the feed. They were still taking it, but I thought they should get out more.
Anyway, boards for varroa counts have Welsh 1, Italians 1. (Not 1 per day, 1 per week.) That is after they have been in for a week. Both hives have loads of brood at all stages. I have even counted 3 drones in the Italian hive, none in the Welsh.
So, after all that:
1) Is it normal for bees to take syrup in glorious weather? Or should I stop it, as I did, to make them go out.
2) Why have my varroa left? [That really is not a complaint!] Could it be that there are fewer phoretic mites, as there is so much brood being produced? (Or is it that the earwigs, spider mites, etc. on the 'counting' bottom board have eaten the bodies?)
3) The Italians arrived with some chalkbrood. The bottom board gets about 3-4 mummies a day. Everything else seems fine with them, so is it best to let the bees get on with it? Welsh seem to be clear of it. In the inspection today, I did not notice any chalkbrood in the Italian comb.
Um, I seem to have rambled, but hope to chat on here more often. I have enjoyed reading the forum but this is only my second post.
I hope someone will be feeling charitable and leave some answers.
John
