What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Erichalfbee]

It sits on the edge of the bog garden which is why it’s done so well I guess. Bodnant Gardens in Wales have a national collection. I might go and buy it a friend.
So sad to see all those burnt trees but humbling to see nature recover

 

[Millet]

Topped four colonies up with 2kg of fondant each and vapes six..

 

[Swarm]

Took a little gift for my landlord and had a walk around the colonies, quite a few bees coming and going. Apiary was like a wet sponge

 

[Goran]

OA done..
All alive, but one on 3 seams of bees, plenty of stores. Now I am curious how it will end.. There are few other suspicious but won't say yet that they are in trouble..

 

[Millet]

Weird weather again..for the past two days we have had -2 degrees with freezing fog that resembles snow and then today it was mild with the sky full of bees.. i took the opportunity to take the clear crown boards of on the two garden hives and give them 1kg of fondant each on top of what they had left..the small dummied down colony is still hanging on in there..

 

[masterBK]

Had to leave car at the farm house and walk 200yds down the farm track to the apiary as some of it was under a few inches of water and I don't have a 4 X 4 these days. Trickled 26 of my DB colonies and hefted them. They all looked good with most on 6 or 7 seams. I took some fondant just in case but brought it back again as none was needed as all hives still fairly well stocked with stores. Temp 10 C and all were flying presumably on cleansing flights. No evidence of any dysentery. A few colonies were not to pleased to see me and I picked up a couple of stings but apart from that they were all fairly docile and I didn't need to light the smoker. Probably leave them to it now til end of March.

 

[madasafish]

Vaped three colonies on allotment - in rain..10C tho so fingers still warm
Bees not best pleased..

 

[Popparand]

Paddled

 

[beeno]

...and I didn't need to light the smoker.

tut-tut

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

and I didn't need to light the smoker.

tut-tut

and?....
What is this obsession with the non thinking beekeepers of pumping gouts of smoke into a hive at the least excuse?
I seldom use smoke, often don't bother lighting the smoker. In fact only this autumn I remembered, only when I had arrived at the top apiary miles away from anywhere that the smoker had been put in the sned when I was using the truck for another purpose, twenty hives manipulated, no smoke, no smoker, no hassle

 

[madasafish]

and?....
What is this obsession with the non thinking beekeepers of pumping gouts of smoke into a hive at the least excuse?
I seldom use smoke, often don't bother lighting the smoker. In fact only this autumn I remembered, only when I had arrived at the top apiary miles away from anywhere that the smoker had been put in the sned when I was using the truck for another purpose, twenty hives manipulated, no smoke, no smoker, no hassle

When I am dealing with other beekeeper's bees - helping or traeting - I always LIGHT a smoker. ALWAYS> because I never know how bees will react to whatever we are doing..
I rarely use it but I find it occasionally useful .

 

[SWEET]

and?....
What is this obsession with the non thinking beekeepers..

https://academic.oup.com/jinsectscience/article/18/4/7/5060209

Good read (posted a few times now), tried zero smoke this year until one of the hives turned very nasty, but agree 100% that most of the time none required but unsure not having one lit is a great idea (not for me anyway), smoke gave me enough time to close up and get the **** out of there and hatch a plan.

 

[Murox]

Too much smoke and hot smoke seems to force bees to fly into the air, they get angry, and it makes them sting. If I need to use the smoker, I often don't but its alight and ready, I still tend to do what my grandfather did - blow several good puffs of cool white smoke directly into the entrance and then walk away for 2 minutes. A final small puff of smoke in the entrance, lift the crown board and let a puff of smoke drift across the bees on top of the frames and then begin inspection etc. Gentle handling and patience seem to work for me.
Oh yes, I talk to them most of the time as well.

 

[beeno]

and?....
What is this obsession with the non thinking beekeepers of pumping gouts of smoke into a hive at the least excuse?
I seldom use smoke, often don't bother lighting the smoker. In fact only this autumn I remembered, only when I had arrived at the top apiary miles away from anywhere that the smoker had been put in the sned when I was using the truck for another purpose, twenty hives manipulated, no smoke, no smoker, no hassle

Good practice that's all. Have it lit just in case.

 

[Tim.S]

A smoker is useful to stop bees getting crushed but that's about it. Smoke invariably drives the bees away from where you puff it so why stick it in the entrance unless you want them all on top of the hive when you open it? As for trying to find a queen just put it away. I use mine so little these days it invariably goes out anyway, its there just in case, no more.
I pulled the varroa trays today and am surprised by the apparent amount of brood still in there. It will certainly have an effect upon the efficacy of the oxalic treatments this year and I will have to check mite counts closely later just in case further treatment is needed. All good fun!

 

[enrico]

I usually light a smoker but for something quick I just have a can of liquid smoke with me such as fabispray. Works a treat in an emergency
E

 

[gmonag]

I pulled the varroa trays today and am surprised by the apparent amount of brood still in there.

What did you see on the varroa tray to gain that impression? (See other thread - Reading the Varroa Board)

 

[Millet]

I usually light a smoker but for something quick I just have a can of liquid smoke with me such as fabispray. Works a treat in an emergency
E

Same here but 90% of the time it does not get used.. when i do need the smoker it is usually too far away hung on a barb wire fence..that is where my tin of airwick 6 in 1 comes in handy..if i ever get stung i quickly spray the spot and the problem is usually solved so basically it is a waste of time lighting the smoker as far as me and my bees are concerned.

 

[Ian123]

When was the last time you pulled it.

 

[Somerford]

Fondant on about 30 and oxalic too.

Really concerned this winter will do for many colonies unless they have feed topped up as they are far more active than they should be and most haven’t really clustered. Some very large overwintering colonies too.

More to be treated tomorrow and Monday...