What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Bee Bumble]

Had rodents eat all the plastic under the bait on my mouse traps, trip the traps and still escape safely..Time to up our efforts.

How about this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvWD-E-gbkk

 

[Frenchie]

Really warm day here yesterday,went and had a look at one of my hives that I was concerned about as hadn't seen any activity. Lots of bees emerging and enjoying the sunshine. Total bliss to see, reminds you why we keep bees.

 

[Dadnlad]

Lovely and warm this afternoon, checked all the hives and nucs and gave them all fondant. Have lost one colony that swarmed late on when we were apigaurding, but everyone else flying well

 

[nantmoel]

Yesterday I checked the sugar blocks on both the Nucs and hives, so far so good, a few needed topping up. This winter in Wales seems to be going on forever, cold, rain and snow, hopefully spring is around the corner.

 

[Curly green fingers]

Lots of bees flying this afternoon such a joy to see . The most I've seen fly out of the hive since November . no pollen as yet time to check the gorse come on dogs..

 

[linoleum bonypart]

They forecast arctic weather don't get too excited

 

[Angry_Mob]

Was about 7 degrees here today but nice sunshine, was surprised how many bees were out flying, also tested an endoscope I bought. Was an interesting perspective.

Gave x4 maisimore poly nucs a first coat of paint.

 

[Millet]

Not warm but sunny here today with all three hives having the odd bee flying, checked the 3/4 pushed in inspections boards and all have fondant residue and brood capping on them so they seem to be working away nicely inside, with having a near normal winter weather i will check on the fondant next week.

 

[Etton]

Looked at the hive entrances through the mouse guards today and apart from a few dead bees all looked ok as far as I could see. Looked tonight in the dark with a torch so I could peer further in than during day light and a couple had a large number of dead bees almost blocking the entrance. Worth taking a peek by torch light at night, particularly those with mouse guards on.

 

[Millet]

Looked at the hive entrances through the mouse guards today and apart from a few dead bees all looked ok as far as I could see. Looked tonight in the dark with a torch so I could peer further in than during day light and a couple had a large number of dead bees almost blocking the entrance. Worth taking a peek by torch light at night, particularly those with mouse guards on.

What do mouse guards look like..

 

[B+.]

It was 10 C here in Beds today!
Colonies already have brood so sticky boards should be under OMFs by now if you intend doing natural mite drop tests (to determine the varroa infestation at the start of the season)

 

[Finman]

[quote=

.

 

[Finman]

It was 10 C here in Beds today!
)

We are going down to -20C. Thanks to Polar Vortex.

.

 

[Curly green fingers]

What do mouse guards look like..

There them annoying strips of metal/ plastic with holes in. That are a pain in the butt!
I can't wait to get rid!...

 

[Curly green fingers]

We are going down to -20C. Thanks to Polar Vortex.

.

How do honey bee's cope with temps that low finman? We've had a -12 this winter so far where I live.

 

[Finman]

How do honey bee's cope with temps that low finman? We've had a -12 this winter so far where I live.

IT depends on the lenght of the cold period and on the size of cluster.

The cluster is on slices between frames. If cold period is long, bees cannot move to the food if the food is finish. The slice dies then even if there are food on other side of the comb.

1,5 month in that temperature ir worse than one week in -30C.

Near zero temp cluster expands and it reformulates .

-30C is quite usual temp in the middle of country.
.

 

[Curly green fingers]

IT depends on the lenght of the cold period and on the size of cluster.

The cluster is on slices between frames. If cold period is long, bees cannot move to the food if the food is finish. The slice dies then even if there are food on other side of the comb.

1,5 month in that temperature ir worse than one week in -30C.

Near zero temp cluster expands and it reformulates .

-30C is quite usual temp in the middle of country.
.

Do you overwinter with extra boxes of stores to compensate for the longer winters?
You and your bees must have thick skins hopefully that polar air will not last long although it would be nice to have a snowy day of work or two!

 

[Millet]

There them annoying strips of metal/ plastic with holes in. That are a pain in the butt!
I can't wait to get rid!...

I know what they are , i was messing about because i don't need to use them as mice can not fit through my 9mm entrances.

 

[Curly green fingers]

I know what they are , i was messing about because i don't need to use them as mice can not fit through my 9mm entrances.

My new floor that I made has a 9 mm entrance.. After coming on here and reading about them they seem a really good option

 

[Finman]

Do you overwinter with extra boxes of stores to compensate for the longer winters?
You and your bees must have thick skins hopefully that polar air will not last long although it would be nice to have a snowy day of work or two!

I have normal Paradise Honey boxes. Older boxes are 2 cm thick Nacka poly boxes and they work as well.

I have snow 20 cm.

According British wintering theories I should not have any living hive.