What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Erichalfbee]

Unfortunately it doesn't always work like that. I need to change the bag before it's completely empty and the bees tend to occupy all the nooks and crannies. A quick puff of smoke is the quickest option. In previous years I've rarely need to add additional fondant so no need to disturb them. This year they are consuming more fondant / sugar than previous years.
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Sometimes I can just slap some fondant ontop of the existing bag but it's best to clear any bees out first.
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Yes same here. Had to do just that a few days ago. Small hole in bag, puff of smoke and all the bees gone.

 

[Millet]

Had a listen to the hives today with the stethoscope all where totally silent which got alarm bells ringing however a quick flick on the open mesh floor got them revved up so they are still with me, i can't understand why i could not hear them to start with though as i could last year but then again it may have been a colder day last year, also the varroa is just about none existent on all three half pushed in inspection trays after seven days so hopefully this gassing lark that supposedly does not work has worked for me.

 

[Jafer2]

My nuc has been expanding lol so had to put another 1 kilo of fondant as they have nearly ate through a kilo already. It was very active with some gathering water and others collecting pollen. Didnt want to mess around and try to see if there is any brood but guessing by all the cappings on the floor and the influx of bees the queen is still laying strong. Only thing i could think of is the warm temp outside for them to forage pollen and being in a poly nuc. Hoping that i will have a strong nuc going into spring.

 

[ABUNDANT HONEY GROUP]

How to find fast in a hive the queen

Well friends, but it is easier to smoke little when you start the review and look for the queen in the breeding racks there will be easily found, another technique is to place a frame of another beehive without bees in the center of which we want to find and the aroma the frame that brings the smell of the other hive will attract it and after a few minutes there will be the queen.
How do you do?

 

[Millet]

 

[Curly green fingers]

And had they decided to react? Do you honestly think bees don't fly late evening?

They don't react really just look at you I find dusk to be about right . I've watched my bee's flying in late evening in the summer at 10 pm autumn 8/9 pm.

 

[SDM]

It was a rare 19C day with patchy sunshine and mild breeze here today. I went through all colonies checking stores. I moved 3 frames of honey from hives with extra to 3 colonies that needed a bit. I also have 3 very strong colonies that will have to be split early next spring. I like the strong ones, but they cause problems with management because they hit peak population so early.

Why not just equalise early spring.
First look, then disease inspection, then equalise each apiary. Gets them all singing from the same sheet( for a while at least)

 

[Curley]

They don't react really just look at you I find dusk to be about right . I've watched my bee's flying in late evening in the summer at 10 pm autumn 8/9 pm.

I think Swarm is saying - absolutely correctly - is that if the bees had reacted you would have been in trouble. Bees, as they say, do nothing invariably.

 

[drex]

I never open my hives without having lit a smoker ( even if I might not end up using it) , nor without some form of protection be it just my light weight jacket. Recently having dribbled OA on my nucs, the bees were up on top bars, but did not fly, but I needed a puff of smoke to get them down Before I put on fondant. I have learnt from my mistakes. Once you have mastered lighting a smoker it only takes a minute, but I see some who still have difficulty getting a smoker going well.

 

[madasafish]

I think Swarm is saying - absolutely correctly - is that if the bees had reacted you would have been in trouble. Bees, as they say, do nothing invariably.

Bees that react badly - as a matter of course rather than once off incidents - are requeened as a matter of course by me. Beekeeping should be enjoyable .. not a matter of self flagellation ..

 

[Hivemaker.]

Once you have mastered lighting a smoker it only takes a minute, but I see some who still have difficulty getting a smoker going well.

What would you say is the reason for this difficulty you have observed in those that have difficulty lighting a smoker?

 

[alldigging]

What would you say is the reason for this difficulty you have observed in those that have difficulty lighting a smoker?

bottom grill turned over
blocked nozzle from stuffing grass in it and it burn and stick
sawdust too fine
rubbish lighter

 

[Millet]

I can't for the life of me understand how anyone would have difficulty lighting a smoker, it is so simple..

 

[madasafish]

I can't for the life of me understand how anyone would have difficulty lighting a smoker, it is so simple..

One teaspoon# and mine lights easily...

# of napalm

 

[Curly green fingers]

I think Swarm is saying - absolutely correctly - is that if the bees had reacted you would have been in trouble. Bees, as they say, do nothing invariably.

Why should beekeeping be such a methodical task all the time I enjoy doing it this way I feel comfortable around my girls doing it .

 

[Curly green fingers]

I'm not saying I wouldn't put a suit on or have a smoker going while doing a proper inspection though .

 

[Millet]

I'm not saying I wouldn't put a suit on or have a smoker going while doing a proper inspection though .

I will mess about vaping and hefting at this time of the year without a veil on but i will never open up unprotected even though the bees are pretty calm, a sting in my ear hole and several on my back from angry bees a few of years ago made my mind up on that subject pretty easily.. .

 

[madasafish]

I will mess about vaping and hefting at this time of the year without a veil on but i will never open up unprotected even though the bees are pretty calm, a sting in my ear hole and several on my back from angry bees a few of years ago made my mind up on that subject pretty easily.. .

My aim is shorts and T shirt beekeeping.

 

[Hivemaker.]

My aim is shorts and T shirt beekeeping.

Well, not the shorts, but at least T shirt and jeans, non of this dressed up like a space man malarky.

 

[Swarm]

Why should beekeeping be such a methodical task all the time I enjoy doing it this way I feel comfortable around my girls doing it .

First year with them IIRC?