What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Curly green finger's]

Vaped 35 colony’s yesterday through the cb.

 

[Nannysbees]

Drop of mites low on all four hives after an OA blast. Really like the plastic mouse guards

 

[Gilberdyke John]

4

Drop of mites low on all four hives after an OA blast. Really like the plastic mouse guards

I wonder how long a bit of plastic will resist being chewed by meeces

 

[Nannysbees]

4
I wonder how long a bit of plastic will resist being chewed by meeces

I'll let you know

 

[Anduril]

4
I wonder how long a bit of plastic will resist being chewed by meeces

At least the evidence will show which ones have been invaded.

 

[Kaz]

Called out to a small swarm on Tuesday evening (what were they thinking??, no drawn comb so put in a poly nuc with foundation and feed feed feed. Checked today, 2.5 frames already drawn (there are only 2 frames of bees) and the queen is laying. Very fortunate with the weather and temperatures here at the moment, I had expected them to fail and have to unite with a nuc but if this continues they may have a chance?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Called out to a small swarm on Tuesday evening (what were they thinking??, no drawn comb so put in a poly nuc with foundation and feed feed feed. Checked today, 2.5 frames already drawn (there are only 2 frames of bees) and the queen is laying. Very fortunate with the weather and temperatures here at the moment, I had expected them to fail and have to unite with a nuc but if this continues they may have a chance?

Ah bless. Do keep us updated won’t you?
Remember you can always put a small swarm in a drawn super.

 

[Swarm]

Hefted the hives today, a few are lighter than they were so took the opportunity to add some thymol invert. Loads of activity but still no evidence of Ivy, no smell and only the odd forager carrying Ivy pollen.
Got buzzed by a beautiful Hornet, very interested in my veil. Heard it before I saw it, what a brilliant little creature.

 

[JamezF]

Got buzzed by a beautiful Hornet, very interested in my veil. Heard it before I saw it, what a brilliant little creature.

I saw at least one hornet today. Looked like it was still hunting around the sycamore trees.

James

 

[Swarm]

They have never been a common sight around here but seeing more each year for the last few years and in the garden too, saw one take a honey bee on the rambler, really special. Last time I was buzzed was when I was lighting the barbecue, I love the sound they make and that beautiful red brown and yellow.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Lovely day here today, and as I was feeling a bit ropey after my jabs yesterday, I took a spin to the castle to check feeders and then at the home apiary - bees shovelling in the ivy, you can smell the heady scent from yards away, one hive had not taken down any syrup, but when I hefted it, it was screwed down, so apart from a few laggards, I'm just leaving them empty the feeders and that will be it for the year.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Same here. Great smell of Ivy coming from the hives. Bees queuing to get in.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Same here. Great smell of Ivy coming from the hives. Bees queuing to get in.

I had one hive at home with bees bearding down from the entrance, pollen all over the place

 

[JamezF]

I need to do a little bit of tidying up in front of one of my hives. It's been grim all morning weather-wise -- very dull and drizzly -- so I thought it would be a good time. As I walked into the apiary I could hear a loud humming and initially assumed the bees must be evaporating water off their honey, but no. As it turned out there's some serious hive-front action going on. I've no idea where they're going on such a poor day, but large numbers of bees are flying off foraging and returning bees are having to queue up to get in.

James

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I need to do a little bit of tidying up in front of one of my hives. It's been grim all morning weather-wise -- very dull and drizzly -- so I thought it would be a good time. As I walked into the apiary I could hear a loud humming and initially assumed the bees must be evaporating water off their honey, but no. As it turned out there's some serious hive-front action going on. I've no idea where they're going on such a poor day, but large numbers of bees are flying off foraging and returning bees are having to queue up to get in.

James

sounds like the ivy is producing - been like that for a few days here - even in the rain.

 

[JamezF]

sounds like the ivy is producing - been like that for a few days here - even in the rain.

I guess it must be, somewhere nearby. Where there's a bit more shelter, perhaps. Most of ours still seems to be in an extended sulk. If it doesn't get its finger out soon it'll be no use to anyone.

James

 

[The Poot]

I guess it must be, somewhere nearby. Where there's a bit more shelter, perhaps. Most of ours still seems to be in an extended sulk. If it doesn't get its finger out soon it'll be no use to anyone.

James

It’s odd how it varies. Around my apiary, no ivy is blooming, but they’re getting loads of pollen and I assume nectar from ivy elsewhere.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

It’s odd how it varies. Around my apiary, no ivy is blooming, but they’re getting loads of pollen and I assume nectar from ivy elsewhere.

same here - one side of the home apiary is just a tall hedge of ivy, hardly any of it blooming and the bees are totally ignoring it, but they are piling it in from elsewhere and will get ours much later, it's the same every sreason

 

[user 819]

I have certainly noticed it over the last 10 years that the ivy season is getting longer or should say the bee ivy forgae is over alonger period with the much milder autumns occuring.

 

[jeff33]

Last of the vaping done, last of the feeding done, last mouse guards are up, and last of the extraction done .... Time for a few weeks of relaxing and spare time !!