What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Moobee]

Do you keep that netting around the hives all year round? Is it working? I am thinking of a similar solution in my backyard. Thanks.

Yes, it makes the bees fly up and they keep going at that height. I have to go past them to get to my greenhouse and it’s also near where we park the car. It also has the bonus of confusing the wasps who mostly hover around outside trying to figure out how to get in! The bees get used to it quickly and you can also observe from quite close without being buzzed.

 

[SWHives]

Yes, it makes the bees fly up and they keep going at that height. I have to go past them to get to my greenhouse and it’s also near where we park the car. It also has the bonus of confusing the wasps who mostly hover around outside trying to figure out how to get in! The bees get used to it quickly and you can also observe from quite close without being buzzed.

Sounds great. May I ask what the distance is between the netting and the front of the hive.

 

[Moobee]

Sounds great. May I ask what the distance is between the netting and the front of the hive.

About 2 feet as I needed the space behind to work them. It doesn’t seem to bother them. I bought a huge roll of scaffold netting which was cheap as chips (and use it for my veggie beds as well).

 

[Curly green finger's]

Removed varroa strips from the nucs and put this colony to sleep.
First for me .

 

[gregior]

Removed Amitraz strips from last 10 hives all looking good ranging from 4 to 9 seams and plenty of stores. Forgot my gloves so had to do it all in a flash before the bees realized what was happening..One hive was quick off the mark and tagged me 3 times .

 

[Erichalfbee]

Checked the hive weights. All about the same as they were a month ago. Bees flying from all the boxes.

 

[mbc]

Removed varroa strips from the nucs and put this colony to sleep. View attachment 29099View attachment 29100View attachment 29101View attachment 29102
First for me .

Why the bonfire?
Nothing nasty I hope.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Why the bonfire?
Nothing nasty I hope.

Symptoms type 1 - 2 cbpv.
I've burnt the frames roof has been used as a water tray and the rest of the nuc has been broken up and will be used in my pots for drainage.
You can see type 2 in the photos.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

what was wrong with just sterilizing the nuc?
Bit of a waste really - especially as it doesn't look like anything serious from those photos

 

[Crazyhorse]

Just been and checked the darlings,
Both hives are still taking fondant down, very little activity taking syrup down.
Should I remove the syrup or leave it on?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Should I remove the syrup or leave it on?

take it away - bit late for that now

 

[mbc]

Symptoms type 1 - 2 cbpv.
I've burnt the frames roof has been used as a water tray and the rest of the nuc has been broken up and will be used in my pots for drainage.
You can see type 2 in the photos.

Not had much experience of serious cbpv myself, I have one apiary where adjacent colonies have for a number of seasons shown a bit of bald brood and shiny bees similar to your photo and a noticeable pile of corpses by the entrance, but I've let the colonies continue for a few years and it doesn't seem to get worse, they've both been requeened but I still saw some evidence when looking closely this season, one of them produced over 90lb of honey this year, up with the best colonies in the apiary.
If they die out I'll melt all the combs out and clean the boxes but I see no reason to euthanase them.
I'm guessing if it's there, all the colonies in the apiary have been exposed to the virus anyway.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Symptoms type 1 - 2 cbpv.
I've burnt the frames roof has been used as a water tray and the rest of the nuc has been broken up and will be used in my pots for drainage.
You can see type 2 in the photos.

I’ve had CBPV three times. One colony is presently being managed. They have stopped dropping dead bees so I shall reinstate the floor at the weekend.
I’ve never heard of CBPV in a sparsely populated nuc.
I have one question.
If that’s an overwintering nuc why are the frames not stuffed with stores?

 

[bobba]

About 2 feet as I needed the space behind to work them. It doesn’t seem to bother them. I bought a huge roll of scaffold netting which was cheap as chips (and use it for my veggie beds as well).

Sounds pretty much the same as my setup.

I think the netting helps deter wasp attacks too. They dont seem to like the steep decent or lack of space to maneuver.

 

[Crazyhorse]

Why is it a bit late late to remove the syrup?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Why is it a bit late late to remove the syrup?

Too late to be feeding it

 

[Crazyhorse]

Too late to be feeding it

I’ve been feeding since beginning of Oct, and they have a super of honey underneath to. Still taking fondant so I’ll leave them bed I guess?

 

[Erichalfbee]

If they have super of honey I would have put it on top and not bothered with any syrup....next year maybe

 

[Murox]

I’ve been feeding since beginning of Oct, and they have a super of honey underneath to. Still taking fondant so I’ll leave them bed I guess?

Perhaps its time to stop?

 

[Michael Palmer]

The bees are almost ready for the winter. Trying to beat the first snows. All the hives are ready to wrap. Insulation on crown board. Mouse screens in. Just trying to finish OA dribble. New York apiaries are finished. We're halfway through the Vermont apiaries. Winter break is on the horizon. Looks like snow on Monday.