What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Cazza]

Couldn't resist it....I didn't really!
Could do with some sunshine. I think they have forgotten what their wings are for!
Happy new year cazza

Thank you and the same to you.
Had to go to work today. Very frustrating sitting watching the sun shine. Bees probably out and about. Yesterday it was blowing a hoolie here. I was working in the garden wearing waterproofs and muttering. Tomorrow I have the day off and it will be raining again. Aaaargh!
C

 

[Dave /Oscroft]

Oxalic

Oxalic treatment done to seven colonies (yesterday).

Dave W

 

[pargyle]

Just had a wander round to the hive (I do twice a day, most days, to record temp and humidity) - 10 degrees outside but very overcast and the rain last night was dreadful. A few hardy souls poking their noses out but the thing that seems to drive mine to fly is the sun - they have been flying in temps as low as 6 degrees when the sun is on the hive but higher temps and overcast they tend not to bother.

Colony temp was 13.5 degrees which is about as high as it has been for the last week or so - seems to reflect the continual mild spell we have been experiencing - even night temp in the apiary has not dropped below about 7 degrees and last night it was 9 degrees. It's no wonder they are still pretty mobile.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Colony temp was 13.5 degrees which is about as high as it has been for the last week or so - seems to reflect the continual mild spell we have been experiencing - even night temp in the apiary has not dropped below about 7 degrees and last night it was 9 degrees. It's no wonder they are still pretty mobile.

That's good news really. It means they are able to move about to where stores are

 

[busybee53]

Did this yesterday - bit late posting.

Lovely warm, sunny day without breeze so checked the hive where I have not seen any bees flying for about a month - even on days when the other hives were out and about.

Was worried they were dead and thinking of sealing up the hive to stop spread of disease. Had a quick look. Loads of bees and stores in there and they looked pretty good. Not clustered and over about 8 frames. Yippee.

Still don't know why they don't pop out for a poo though.

 

[starflex]

OA done on 6 hives and 2 nucs. All strapped down again for the next round of miserable weather.

 

[dpearce4]

Did this yesterday - bit late posting.

Lovely warm, sunny day without breeze so checked the hive where I have not seen any bees flying for about a month - even on days when the other hives were out and about.

Was worried they were dead and thinking of sealing up the hive to stop spread of disease. Had a quick look. Loads of bees and stores in there and they looked pretty good. Not clustered and over about 8 frames. Yippee.

Still don't know why they don't pop out for a poo though.

Maybe the entrance is blocked up?

 

[busybee53]

Nope, entrance not blocked but guard bees don't appear to be working, even when a twig agitated in entrance. Very laid back.

 

[beeno]

Nope, entrance not blocked but guard bees don't appear to be working, even when a twig agitated in entrance. Very laid back.

Does not seem right to me. Are you sure they don't nip out when you are not looking?

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Had a paddle down the somewhat rain soaked garden to look at the hives. No flyers out in the cold and wet but occasionally a bee could be seen standing in the entrance before going back inside.
I went shopping to Goole and bought a 2' x 4' of 1/8" perspex for £6, brought it home and cut a piece out to make a clear crownboard for the old WBC hive so I can see into it as easily as my 14 x 12s. I'll swap it over as no 1 springtime job when things wake up

 

[youngyoungs]

OA'd all colonies. They were not best pleased to see me!

 

[blackie]

fed all 17 they were all lively as were on ivy Friday down the old biddenden railway

 

[VEG]

Spent a lot in the sale

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

even more than me!

 

[VEG]

mm she is not impressed lol ah well at least it saves me talking to her haha

 

[Itchy]

I'll join the "I spent too much" queue.....

 

[VEG]

come on into the dog house mate better make room for more lol

 

[Tdod]

I tryed to be sensible and only ordered what I needed...

But I needed a lot

 

[Itchy]

I still not submitted order....looking up and down list wondering what I don't need!
Trouble is, as a first year beek, I'm guessing as to what number I will actually have! Aiming somewhere between potential and likely......

 

[youngyoungs]

Is there any hope for us at all?

Dusty - we might need some divine assistance here.