What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Beefriendly]

Devastated isn't the word, I'm totally crushed.

Sorry to hear of your loss.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Devastated isn't the word, I'm totally crushed.

That’s awful Steve
So sorry

 

[Goran]

My time has been limited too, so much to do with the bees, rushing here and there, unfortunately I took my eye off the ball and paid a heavy price. Had to wait a while for a new pump for my Koi pond and was a bit worried but the fish were happy enough. Priorities all messed up, I should have done it straight away instead of putting it off and now I've lost them after twenty years.
Devastated isn't the word, I'm totally crushed.

Sorry to hear..

 

[Goran]

Presumably bees in Croatia don't drift along the row of hives

We all have hives in rows, have no problem. I believe there is some drift, but irrelevant to me. Carnies are not so prone to robbing as ligustica as someone told me. I read also some text pretty long ago that the carnies are also better in orienting in space/enviroment than ligustica.

Look at the pic in link and You'll see that drift.. isn't issue..

http://www.zlatna-dolina.hr/wct_index.php?run=row&wct=38&rid=308&lang=1

 

[Fritillary]

Oh Swarm - i am so sorry.

 

[bontbee]

So sorry to hear that Swarm

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

My time has been limited too, so much to do with the bees, rushing here and there, unfortunately I took my eye off the ball and paid a heavy price. Had to wait a while for a new pump for my Koi pond and was a bit worried but the fish were happy enough. Priorities all messed up, I should have done it straight away instead of putting it off and now I've lost them after twenty years.
Devastated isn't the word, I'm totally crushed.

**** Steve - I feel your pain, a good few years back my in laws went on holiday leaving me in charge of their Koi pond - they didn't tell me that one of their neighbours (don't know which one unfortunately) had a vendetta against their fish and took the opportunity as they were away of nipping around the back and kicking out the outlet pipe from the filter tank (it had been glued together after a previous attempt so this time the pipe had been smashed), by the time I got down there to feed them the pump had pumped the pond dry, remember having to break the news to the MIL (her fish) and her asking me if I'd weigh jaws, their biggest ghost before burying it, it tipped the scales at eleven pounds.

 

[masterBK]

Watched the bees in my garden hives bringing in absolute loads of Ivy pollen. Can smell the ivy aroma from several yards away. Must be a major flow as this time last week I could easily lift the edge of the double brood hives but today I was struggling. Shame the bees in the out-apiary have little if any Ivy nearby (I have needed to feed these between 15 kg and 18kg each since middle of August)

 

[beeno]

Watched the bees in my garden hives bringing in absolute loads of Ivy pollen. Can smell the ivy aroma from several yards away. Must be a major flow as this time last week I could easily lift the edge of the double brood hives but today I was struggling.

Same here apart from the fact that my hives are getting lighter. Must bee the production of winter bees. Fed some syrup as tomorrow it is getting cold. What temp. is required for ivy to yield nectar?

 

[Swarm]

**** Steve - I feel your pain, a good few years back my in laws went on holiday leaving me in charge of their Koi pond - they didn't tell me that one of their neighbours (don't know which one unfortunately) had a vendetta against their fish and took the opportunity as they were away of nipping around the back and kicking out the outlet pipe from the filter tank (it had been glued together after a previous attempt so this time the pipe had been smashed), by the time I got down there to feed them the pump had pumped the pond dry, remember having to break the news to the MIL (her fish) and her asking me if I'd weigh jaws, their biggest ghost before burying it, it tipped the scales at eleven pounds.

I've had a few moments over the years, found the pond half empty due to a leaking filter more than once but this was all down to me, I could have, should have cobbled together a temporary fix until I had time to do it properly. It's so flipping obvious now, I've been beating myself up over it ever since.
Our Chagoi would swim over if he saw the back door open or if you called him. You could handle him and tickle his belly or his nose, I used to hand feed him prawns.
What a fool I am.

Smell of Ivy in the air but all I've seen on it is wasps.

 

[user 819]

Three colonies quickly inspected in balmy warm 20c today, ivy stores filling up brood and half quickly, added another super as weather forecast here next week is much of the same. So far ivy income has seen stores increase by 15lbs with flowering only occurring in the last 7- 10 days, foragers masking good use of weather once it perks up and the fog has cleared in last couple of days.

 

[simonforeman]

Ivy out in full here now.... I was going to ask about the aroma... I walked past the hives today and could smell a lovely smell from them. So am I right in thinking this would be the aroma of ivy nectar going in??? I have stopped feeding as all 4 hives were getting a good weight. Wet tomorrow then back to mid to high teens next week and dry so hopefully plenty more going in and will not need to feed anymore. Will keep checking weight tho.

 

[user 819]

Hi Simon,
yes the aroma is unmistakable and in my view is a fantastic aroma, I walk down the garden to the bees just to take in the fragrance some times.

 

[beeno]

I don't like the smell or the taste of ivy, but it is unmistakable.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Did nothing in the apiary
Again
Getting a bit bored of doing that
Maybe I need a hobby

 

[madasafish]

Ivy nowhere near out here...
Not much to do so spent time mentoring a couple of beginners instead...and helping a lady rearrange a most horrible lot of aggressive bees. Ok when you walk past, but when you inspect.. Armageddon.. A three layers of clothes and taped ankles and wrists job...

 

[Ian123]

Did the lady in question not object to the tape

 

[madasafish]

Did the lady in question not object to the tape

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Did the lady in question not object to the tape

Who taped who?

 

[Spikedog]

Thanks, Hmaker & Erica… Yep Varroa treatment complete some weeks past. Recent drop negligible. Hadn’t thought of Nosema. The syrup has thymol in it to assist combat same. Should they successfully overwinter I will send in a sample for testing in the spring. As an interim measure I today drenched with Hivealive. Thanks again