What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Newbeeneil]

Nearly complete.Just for bee equipment, all in one place

Spotted another problem, the wall to the right of the door is wider at the top than bottom!

 

[Penninetrader]

I took the topper around my home apiary this afternoon. It's been in need of attention for some time as the nettles had become rather tall, but my compact tractor has been out of action for a few months thanks to a knackered radiator cap. Absolutely no-one appears to have them in stock or could suggest a possible alternative. After much searching, I found that with a little attention from a Dremel to narrow the retaining lugs, the cap from a mid-70s MGB is the same specification, fits nicely, and is a quarter of the price. So the engine no longer overheats nor starts spewing coolant after running for five minutes.

It's been bright and sunny here today which makes a very pleasant and welcome change from the depressing permacloud of the last three weeks, but there's quite a chilly north-easterly wind and it must be easily below 10°C even before accounting for the wind chill. I was impressed to see that a few of the ladies were bringing in pollen regardless. Tough as old boots, they are

James

Aye it was lovely in the direct sun this morning and the girls were out, I watched but have no idea what they were doing. Like yours, as it became colder they carried on flying but in reduced numbers. I think we and they are on borrowed time weather wise

 

[Penninetrader]

Happily pick up a bee any day with my fingers, spiders, there’s a special jar for them!

I very much hope you don't place house spiders outside, they are not the same as outdoor ones.

 

[The Poot]

We must have hundreds. We have these

View attachment 41595
As well as the big house spiders.
These things eat each other!

These are common in my house too. They appear fragile, but they’ll kill and eat other more robust looking spiders, as well as you say, each other. They’re easier to catch though!

 

[Erichalfbee]

They’re easier to catch though!

Vacuum cleaner does for ours. I once watched one ensnare a huge Eratigena that couldn’t defend itself against the reach of those long legs. I intervened and pinched it letting the big beastie escape

 

[Parsonage Bees]

While doing some extracting in the kitchen, discovered I have a spider living under the cupboard. Lazy bees coming out of the supers provided breakfast and dinner.
Not fond of these long-legged cellar spiders. Damned invasive species. Think they moved in with a cheap chest of drawers that someone gave me.

 

[Swarm]

Had a little wander around the hives, the bees were all very busy. Watched a handsome black drone walk out and dust himself down before flying off and I noticed another drone coming back to a daughter colony of this one. They were all hitting the Gorse today.
Came home to find a lot of activity on the spent Persian Ivy.

 

[enrico]

The long legged spiders that shiver in the corner of the ceiling are good to have in the house, they eat other spiders!

 

[pargyle]

The long legged spiders that shiver in the corner of the ceiling are good to have in the house, they eat other spiders!

I inherited a morbid fear of spiders from my mother who was terrified of them .. I can deal with them these days - a jar and a bit of thin card and they either go outside or into the garden shed .. My father (much to my mother's concern) just used to pick them up and remove them.

Oddly, I did a tarantula experience a few years ago - allowing its keeper to put it on the back of my hand and crawl up my arm - I thought it might help - strangely, the huge spider didn't seem to bother me that much, I even let it crawl onto my other hand - the mind is a very strange place.

From what the keeper said, they have a basic level of intelligence, like bees they tend to only react when threatened and he reckoned they have some level of recognition. I think there are different varieties and some are more docile and less likely to jump than others - bit like our bees again.

There are tarantula keepers who handle their spiders regularly and those who don't advise it but, as an experience with someone who clearly knew what they were doing ... one off the bucket list !

 

[smallbee]

Rather you than me with the tarantula!
I was bitten by a brown recluse as a child, while in the US. Developed a nasty necrotic patch, I remember the doctors poking needles in and not feeling anything at all. Really not a fan of spiders since.

 

[Penninetrader]

While doing some extracting in the kitchen, discovered I have a spider living under the cupboard. Lazy bees coming out of the supers provided breakfast and dinner.
Not fond of these long-legged cellar spiders. Damned invasive species. Think they moved in with a cheap chest of drawers that someone gave me.

View attachment 41597View attachment 41598

Was it a Greek that donated it ?

 

[elainemary]

Watched all my colonies in the valley bring in yellow pollen (spotted a goat willow in flower) in the November sunshine! Bet they’re chomping through stores, glad I left them loads of honey.

At home at 1100 ft in the Pennines my 2 colonies there, were also flying strongly. No pollen coming in. Normally at this time of year there’s no activity.

Checked varroa boards for signs of brood uncapping. Some signs brood is emerging in the colonies at lower altitude.

Forecast is for cold nights coming, will be doing my OA sublimation in December, I’d normally do this in November, but this year in a couple of weeks time, following colder weather, brood should be minimal and I can zap the critters (varroa that is!)

 

[Parsonage Bees]

Was it a Greek that donated it ?

Friend's mother. Retired headmistress. She is Welsh tho' !

 

[JamezF]

Friend's mother. Retired headmistress. She is Welsh tho' !

I suspect @Penninetrader might have been wondering if the donor was in the habit of making timber equine gifts

As they say these days, "Beware geeks bearing GIFs".

James

 

[Parsonage Bees]

I suspect @Penninetrader might have been wondering if the donor was in the habit of making timber equine gifts

As they say these days, "Beware geeks bearing GIFs".

James

Missed me. Lack of classical education. ?
Thanks for that.

 

[The Poot]

Hefted and found three quite a bit lighter than last heft. Added fondant.
Weather forecast is for cold conditions next week which will reduce depletion of stores, I hope.

 

[pargyle]

Weather forecast is for cold conditions next week which will reduce depletion of stores, I hope.

Not if the science is to be believed ... they need to keep the hive temperature up so tend to use more stores if they are cold ... if you have not got insulation on your hives - good time to get it on and keep it on.

 

[JamezF]

Missed me. Lack of classical education. ?
Thanks for that.

Believe me, if you didn't have to read Virgil's Aeneid in Latin when you were at school, there is much to give thanks for

James

 

[Bee’s Knees]

Hefted and found three quite a bit lighter than last heft. Added fondant.
Weather forecast is for cold conditions next week which will reduce depletion of stores, I hope.

I am only in my 3rd year and hefting is something I haven’t really mastered.

I thought bees going into winter are supposed to have enough stores to last them 4 months, maybe longer.

I am not questioning your action but asking should I be concerned about their level of stores only one month since they were actively making honey.

Previously I had read people don’t really think about reduced store levels until February/March and then add fondant if needed.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

asking should I be concerned about their level of stores only one month since they were actively making honey.

I wouldn't worry, but it seems almost compulsory on here that you need to get your panties in a knot if you get a glimpse of the sun at this time of year. It would help if we knew where you were.
Best way to learn about hefting is to pile on the feed in the autumn so that the hives feel naimed down, then if you keep hefting throughout the winter you get to know how the hives feel as stores get depleted.
Also use the finger trick - if you need three fingers to lift the hive half an inch off the stand, they're packed with stores, only two, they are OK, but be prepared to supplementary feed. Only one finger, get feeding sharpish.