What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Cazza]

Cazza

You really have to get rid of her with strangers/3rd parties so close.......a bunch of children may turn up there when you're in the middle of an inspection.

That would be why I said "she has to go" then wouldn't it? Although as it is an industrial unit with extremely hazardous chemicals involved, the appearance of children there would be very worrying in itself! It is also the emergency exit which is supposed to be used only in emergencies.
C

 

[MJBee]

Found a swarm 3m up a tree in the garden yesterday, collected it then went to see where it had come from. The only hive showing abnormal behavior was the Q+ side of an artificial swarm made on 24 Apr - did I miss a queen cell on the frame I transferred?

Swarm was hived late evening yesterday without problems. Went to give them a feed this morning - on 11 frames of foundation only 14C and rain forecast for the next few days. - The hive was EMPTY!. They had all returned to the source hive and were clustered under the hive. They are still there and it has rained all day, they look thoroughly miserable but until the weather improves they will have to take their chances.

Anyone got any other ideas?

 

[VEG]

as its raining there its an ideal time to knock them into a hive and feed them the rain will keep them in, then maybe they will stay put.

 

[Haughton Honey]

Inspected "the beast" today. Double brood nearly full up. Queen is a bitch, she has to go. Horrible bees, nasty pingy things.
Cazza

I've got one of those!

Double brood Commercial hive, currently 7-8 frames of perfect brood, saw them taking 'toilet' flights on sunny days at 0c (yes, ZERO DEGREES) during the Winter - and returning intact!, very dark/black Queen, have to wear plastic over-trousers and gauntlets before I inspect, perfect rugby ball-shaped brood pattern ...........and a complete b*****d to deal with. The kind of hive that gives you sweat beads when it comes up on the inspection schedule.

Oddly enough it's a fabulously productive colony that makes the whitest of white wax. Fortunately they're situated in a very rural location where nobody goes (or is likely to go....unless you're driving a tractor).

I haven't got the heart to destroy her as some of the traits are most impressive and I'd love to try and reproduce them.

They came from a swarm collected near Weaverham in Cheshire early last year......if anyone knows of a local beekeeper who specialises in breeding bees from HELL??

 

[Mike a]

I haven't got the heart to destroy her as some of the traits are most impressive and I'd love to try and reproduce them.

Simple 3 frame split and see how the new queen goes or even try the patch method.?

Funny how the real vile colonies seem to produce more compared to the nice hives and I know what you mean about the beads of sweat forming just thinking about inspecting them.

 

[richardbees]

cazza, I was nodding along with your comments as I typed, and was merely reinforcing your own sentiments - no criticism intended.

 

[Shabro]

put another nuc into a full brood, and found loads of frames and wax that I forgot I had.

 

[Cazza]

cazza, I was nodding along with your comments as I typed, and was merely reinforcing your own sentiments - no criticism intended.

Sorry Richardbees, I was very grumpy! Harmony now restored.
Cazza

 

[lesley245]

weak hive

Checked my only remaining hive - worried that it is very weak and really needs good weather to build up to decent size. Feeding with syrrup

Lost one hive - nest got too small and froze I think - plenty of stores available, and the Queen died in the second. I had to amalgamate both sets of bees - even so, only two frames at the moment, Hey Ho!

Eggs and larvae present but not sure how prolific the Queen is. Will check in a week.

 

[Shabro]

moved 3 hives to some up and coming OSR.

 

[TOBY-3652]

moved 3 hives to some up and coming OSR.JAMMY G[[ the rape around here is only 6 inches tall

 

[Polyanwood]

I prepared the two biggest nucs ready to go to their new home tomorrow.

 

[Shabro]

moved 3 hives to some up and coming OSR.JAMMY G[[ the rape around here is only 6 inches tall

Thats what I mean by up and coming

 

[richardbees]

I employed 4 children to watch my Victoria plum tree this afternoon which is in full flower and almost overhangs my hives. It was sunny, 12c, the bees were flying and they didn't see a single honeybee visit in about 30 minutes.....a few flies, one bumblebee (and a dragon but that child is on "special measures")

Too much uninformed verbiage is being spouted about how "life as we know it" depends on honeybees.

 

[itma]

Walking the hound round the block this morning, paused to admire my bees getting very busy (at 10C) on a cherry tree in full blossom.

 

[Tdod]

watched huge numbers of honey bees (not mine as no bees yet)on my Laurel hedge they seem to visit it daily at the moment but not sure why as it is not in flower.?

 

[BeeJayBee]

I think Laurel has extrafloral nectaries.

Not sure what it tastes like if, and when, they turn it into honey.

 

[Luminos]

I employed 4 children to watch my Victoria plum tree this afternoon which is in full flower and almost overhangs my hives. It was sunny, 12c, the bees were flying and they didn't see a single honeybee visit in about 30 minutes.....a few flies, one bumblebee (and a dragon but that child is on "special measures")

Too much uninformed verbiage is being spouted about how "life as we know it" depends on honeybees.

You'll be sending them up chimneys, next

 

[Cazza]

watched huge numbers of honey bees (not mine as no bees yet)on my Laurel hedge they seem to visit it daily at the moment but not sure why as it is not in flower.?

It does have extrafloral nectaries as Beejoyful said. I know this because I asked the same q last year/year before and have looked it up since.

Cazza

 

[Cazza]

I employed 4 children to watch my Victoria plum tree this afternoon which is in full flower and almost overhangs my hives. It was sunny, 12c, the bees were flying and they didn't see a single honeybee visit in about 30 minutes.....a few flies, one bumblebee (and a dragon but that child is on "special measures")

Too much uninformed verbiage is being spouted about how "life as we know it" depends on honeybees.

I think you are right. I hardly ever see honey bees aroung my plum/apple blossom. Mine seem to be pollinated by tiny bees instead.
Cazza