Wasps

[sharonh]

Be vigilant as wasps still very active and killing.
Had entrance to my hive open up, for the past three weeks, as wasps were not so bad, but today decided to reduce back to one bee space.
Good sunny morning, stormy weather gone. Bees busy but a lot of wasps flying around. Watched for a while, they don't seem interested in the sweet bait in the wasp bane trap.
They are trying to pull down bees.
As flies and other insects scarce at the minute, bees seem to be on the menu.
Have the pane of glass still up also.
Just when you think the wasps were under control. So everyone be mindful, as they are very much still plentiful.
Very agreesive wasps that are even fighting with each other on the ground.
Don't let the guards down just yet, could be a big mistake.
Sharon

 

[sharonh]

Keep your eyes on your hives as they are well on the prowl

 

[sharonh]

Have put mouse guards on both hives even though wasps still around. Will leave glass panes in place infront just incase.

 

[peter genders]

have not seen a wasp or bumble bee around here for over a fortnight.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

have not seen a wasp or bumble bee around here for over a fortnight.

They've all gone round to Lorrick's place.

Dusty

 

[Chris Luck]

have not seen a wasp or bumble bee around here for over a fortnight.

More or less all gone here as well, just a few Hornets struggling on and a some lovely Queens floating around - beautiful.

Chris

 

[sharonh]

Not gone here,and recent new threads showing that they are still causing problems for some.
I recommend anyone that are still having problems with wasps, to keep their hive entrance reduced even with mouse guards on for the moment anyway.
Sharon

 

[Torq]

Bloody wasps! Just lost a weak nuc to them. They were just wandering in at will, having a feed and back out again. Only a mug full of bees left, no sign of the queen and a lot of casualties on the mesh floor with bees outnumbering wasps about 10 to 1. Threw the lot out, removed nuc and replaced with wasp traps.

 

[Spikedog]

Wasps are back today - Persistent approaches on all Hives - Guards appear to be managing - but some getting in. The weaker colony is allowing greater intrusion - Has metal mouse guard but will reduce entrance anyway.

 

[Chris Luck]

I think I may consider moving to Ireland, it's been winter here for weeks, ice cold winds, 5 or 6°C in the daytime if lucky and not a bee, wasp or virtually any other insect to be seen.

Thousands of birds though.

and they want to stop our WFA.

Chris

 

[Luminos]

Four wasps in my greenhouse yesterday

 

[sharonh]

Still a few wasps around here also , but bees defending any that give a go trying to gain entry to the hives. Still have the glass up and will leave it for now as bees still busy bringing in pollen.
Mild enough here at min with day temps 9 degrees.

 

[Erichalfbee]

My entrances are still one or two beespaces after I took defences down too early and I had to make a couple of new traps up.
Bloody things. Not seen any for two days but.............
Next year my traps will remain till Christmas day.

 

[biglongdarren]

one of my hives has 3 lovely queen wasps over wintering in it,have yet to see wasps doing any damage to any of my hives.
long may it continue that way.
Darren

 

[Torq]

Still a few wasps around here also , but bees defending any that give a go trying to gain entry to the hives. Still have the glass up and will leave it for now as bees still busy bringing in pollen.
Mild enough here at min with day temps 9 degrees.

What colour pollen? Is it a bright yellow as mine were bringing in loads of it today. No idea what it is though!

 

[sharonh]

What colour pollen? Is it a bright yellow as mine were bringing in loads of it today. No idea what it is though!

Yes it's yellow pollen. Don't know what they are on, maybe still ivy.
Sharon