What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Will C]

Today I went in and removed the Apivar strips from both hives. I added Perspex crown boards six weeks ago so could see they were busy and clustered. A few angrily buzzed my veil when I took off the porter escape to place the fondant in hive one, grumpy to be disturbed.

The second hive, they’d managed to remove the apivar and both strips had dropped down to the bottom of the brood box, so as it was mild, we lifted the base and pulled them out.

After the ferocity of late autumn, today was very quiet. Lots of bees in both hives.

Now to wait till March.

 

[Moobee]

Sounds a bit like the September treatment may not have been fully effective. If they are big colonies now and as there’s not likely much (if any) brood in the colony, I’d give another vape now and possibly one in very early Spring. Knock the little blighters on the head while you can. What treatment did you use in Autumn?

OA vape x 3 at 5 day intervals early September (once honey was off). The colonies were very full in September and I think producing brood through October as it was so mild here, so maybe it allowed the varroa to build up again?
They're definitely broodless now as little to no uncappings on the boards. Just given them a second vape and will continue to monitor.

 

[JamezF]

Did a tour this morning to make sure everything looked safe. Took away bits of kit that didn't need to be out in the apiaries on the grounds that if it isn't there then it can't get blown about.

Found a group of fallen elder trees in one apiary, but fortunately no damage done other than to the stock fencing. Looks like the ground has just become too soft to hold the roots. I could barely squeeze past to get to the hives though. They can wait until conditions are a little safer to get dealt with.

There are a few more trees that have come down by the looks of the hedgerows as I was driving around. And things have barely kicked off yet.

James

 

[Penninetrader]

Did a tour this morning to make sure everything looked safe. Took away bits of kit that didn't need to be out in the apiaries on the grounds that if it isn't there then it can't get blown about.

Found a group of fallen elder trees in one apiary, but fortunately no damage done other than to the stock fencing. Looks like the ground has just become too soft to hold the roots. I could barely squeeze past to get to the hives though. They can wait until conditions are a little safer to get dealt with.

There are a few more trees that have come down by the looks of the hedgerows as I was driving around. And things have barely kicked off yet.

James

The Elder trees, do you have the responsibility for clearing them ?

 

[JamezF]

The Elder trees, do you have the responsibility for clearing them ?

I'll just discuss it with the landowner and we'll sort it out between us. We have a very easy-going setup.

James

 

[Penninetrader]

I'll just discuss it with the landowner and we'll sort it out between us. We have a very easy-going setup.

James

That is good, I like that

 

[Parsonage Bees]

Today I dribbled.
This hive on double brood was strangely big and DEFENSIVE. Not sure what's going on with them but see you in April.

 

[Penninetrader]

Today I dribbled.
This hive on double brood was strangely big and DEFENSIVE. Not sure what's going on with them but see you in April.
View attachment 41750

What sort of temperature did you have there, if I had opened my girls up like that they would be having an eppy. Have they settled and returned inside

 

[Parsonage Bees]

What sort of temperature did you have there, if I had opened my girls up like that they would be having an eppy. Have they settled and returned inside

7degC and overcast. I thought between 5 and 10degC, between clustered tight and flying was the right temperature.

Photo was after I'd done the dribble. The top of the bottom box looked the same. I was expecting them to be mostly in the bottom box but they were right up to the crown board. Much bigger population than my other hives.
The other hives, yes, the odd bee flew up and expressed their annoyance but these guys were up and at me in numbers. You can see by the number on the outside of the box. Yes they all headed back in. They are the most defensive hive.

#edit I thinking something is wrong but not going to investigate.

 

[The Poot]

7degC and overcast. I thought between 5 and 10degC, between clustered tight and flying was the right temperature.

Photo was after I'd done the dribble. The top of the bottom box looked the same. I was expecting them to be mostly in the bottom box but they were right up to the crown board. Much bigger population than my other hives.
The other hives, yes, the odd bee flew up and expressed their annoyance but these guys were up and at me in numbers. You can see by the number on the outside of the box. Yes they all headed back in. They are the most defensive hive.

That’s why I wouldn’t dribble. Too intrusive this time of year.

 

[Parsonage Bees]

That’s why I wouldn’t dribble. Too intrusive this time of year.

Someone else suggested that you also get a significant drop of dead bees but not checked this myself.
Yes, I don't like doing it but a couple of my colonies are dropping 20+ mites per day. I used ApiVar early in the year before supers ( and Apiguard after).

 

[The Poot]

Hefted all five and checked debris on the trays. Added fondant to the lightest one. Came away concerned that one had hardly taken fondant and had virtually no debris of any kind in the tray. All were quiet, not a bee to be seen.
Will vape as soon as the temperature rises a little.