What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Chris Luck]

Went up to my hives today and had my first loss, may end up with 2. As you can see from the pic one hive was totally upended all the frames scattered some upto 10ft away. The other hive had its roof and crownboard off, went to see if the hive was dead to be met by a number of bees come up to meet me, did the dance of the beekeeper as i stupidly hadnt put my suit hood on at that point (i really must learn), but luckly not stung (phew). Put the hood and my gloves on and had a look and there were a few seams of bees.

I went back later having got straps to strap the other 4 hives down. Im not sure if it was badgers or people that did the damage, but if it was people i really hope the W*nkers ended up with hundreds of stings. I have a feeling the remaining bees have gone into another hive as they were really tetchy, even walking past 3 or 4 ft away there was an audible rawr from them i assume from the vibration of me walking past, as you can emagine i didnt open them up.

That's awful, really sorry to see that.

Chris

 

[VEG]

Sorry to hear of the damage dp. I have been through this. Dont like to say it but they may be back.

 

[dpearce4]

Do i report to the police veg?

 

[Luminos]

So sorry to see the photo, DP4.
Might as well report it, no harm, and might help, if it was vandals?

 

[beebopalula]

A terrible mess - you have my sympathy. More likely people I would have thought. Although the wind blowing into a quarry can be forced back from the wall with surprising force.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Could be people,could be Badgers, in my case with the same results, it was Badgers, either way they may well return.

 

[dpearce4]

I have reported to the police. I have also been back and ratchet strapped all the remaining hives so if it is badgers they only get knocked over (i hope) and will prove if it is humans if they get undone.

 

[VEG]

Do i report to the police veg?

I reported mine but I knew it was human not animal

 

[Swarm]

Again, if scumbags, I'm surprised they stopped at just the one. A sad sight DP4 after all the hard work you did clearing the site. I feel for you and hope that's the end of it.

 

[waverider]

A terrible mess - you have my sympathy. More likely people I would have thought. Although the wind blowing into a quarry can be forced back from the wall with surprising force.

My sister's Conway trailer that was erected in a quarry last year in Derbyshire was flipped over. Not just the awning but the whole trailer. Luckily they were in the camper-van sitting out the high winds.

 

[REDWOOD]

Hi Dp, only one word explains your situation but not allowed here, so sorry for you and your bees, any consolation your apiary looks great

 

[Lorenz]

Sad to see the pictures.

Cold east wind. Some snow on the ground. (Had to make sure bees had fondant as planned op tomorrow will take me out of action for a few weeks.)

Wish I had taken hive straps as gusts were strong. Fondant topped up. Expect some deaths. Hives seemed light.

 

[dpearce4]

Thank you all for your support, I have reported it to the police and they said they will keep an eye out.

We can hope.

 

[busybee53]

DP I have heard that badgers tip the hives by getting underneath and doing a sort of press up. If there are badgers in your area perhaps something underneath like some bricks or something might help? Even better if you can think of something they could not move.

 

[Rob den Dekker]

Popped in some extra fondant in between flurries. Glad to see they're still alive and happily clustering in the brood box.

 

[Mellifera397]

Cant bring myself to peek under the crownboard just in case they're dead. They've got fondant so all i can do is hope

 

[user 6228]

Went up to my hives today and had my first loss, may end up with 2. As you can see from the pic one hive was totally upended all the frames scattered some upto 10ft away. ..

if the weather this year and last wasnt enough of a trial then this

 

[Erichalfbee]

Cant bring myself to peek under the crownboard just in case they're dead. They've got fondant so all i can do is hope

Squash your ear to the box and listen to the hum. I'm sure you'll be reassured.
We have two trail cameras that were put up in the apiary after a badger was spotted in the field one night.
The first twenty pictures are of me with my head pressed to various boxes

 

[beeno]

Squash your ear to the box and listen to the hum. I'm sure you'll be reassured.
We have two trail cameras that were put up in the apiary after a badger was spotted in the field one night.
The first twenty pictures are of me with my head pressed to various boxes

Hi Ericha and Mellifera,
Yep that's what I do every day. One is getting quieter and don't know if that's good or bad or perhaps one ear is worse than the other! Time will tell.

 

[itma]

Cant bring myself to peek under the crownboard just in case they're dead. They've got fondant so all i can do is hope

So, yet another order for a see-through crownboard...