All 3 hives died this winter - looks like they had broken cluster to feed and the cold got them. They had plenty of stores, just didn't make it. New bees will arrive in a couple of weeks, I'll hive them up and hope for the best this year.
On a different note, I attended a meeting of the Eastern Connecticut Beekeepers Association this past Sunday, where Michael Palmer of Vermont spoke about overwintering nucs, splitting hives to make nucs and queen rearing. If you ever have a chance to see Michael speak, do so. While you may or may not agree with everything that he says and does, he is a terrific source of information (and a really nice guy).
I'm hoping to split a hive with one of his Northern queens this year if they build up enough.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Monday, August 16, 2010
What the Heck??
My #3 hive, started from a package this spring, had been doing well up until about a week or so ago, when I noticed that they were becoming a bit less active than before. The goldenrod hadn't quite started blooming, so I figured that they were just hanging back until the flow started. NO, not that simple. I checked them Saturday, and they had no stores, no brood (!!) and NO QUEEN! I don't know what might have happened, but was able to get another queen yesterday from my bee mentor, put her in, filled the feeder and added a pollen patty. Now to wait a few days and check to see if she was released. Hopefully they will be able to build up for the winter - otherwise I'll have to do a combine with another hive. One thing I have found is that I learn something every time I go out to the hives, even if I just stand there and watch.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Welcome to the Bee Blog !
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