Getting My Swarm Trap Ready !

One of my important early spring activities is checking my swarm traps.  I have one that is placed about 100 yards north of my bee yard.  I have caught a swarm in this trap every summer.  Sometimes it is a swarm that has left my own hives and at least once - it was a swarm from another apiary or a wild colony.  My swarm trap is made of an old weathered deep hive box with a nailed on top and bottom.  Ten Frames are inside the box and there are a few frames of old comb that will smell good to a bee and will not represent a real loss to me if they are destroyed. After the cold, windy weather -
I could see that the box had shifted and needed some attention.

 It is rare to get out to this box without being accompanied by the goats.  Who would have guessed that they knew so much about honeybee swarm traps ?! They certainly do not like the boxes that are full of bees !

Daisy is especially concerned that some of the frames must have too much propolis or (bee glue) on the ends to fit properly in the box. As for me, I feel that old frames are especially attractive to scout bees.  Scout bees leave the mother colony in advance of a swarm and select possible new home sites. Blake has become bored with the whole process and laid down to rest.  Daisy and I finish putting the box back up in the tree.  It is only about 6 ft off the ground but I have to place it low enough that I can get it down later when bees/honey are inside. 

All finished and ready for Spring.  I will need to walk by this box every week during the swarm season.  If a colony moves in,   I will remove it quickly or it will be so heavy I will not be able to get it down without help !

We have just finished and a scout bee is already checking it out !

Winter 2013-14 go away !

Argh, more winter weather.  Maybe it is just my imagination but it has been uncharacteristically cold and damp this winter.  I have lost one colony and maybe 2 more but it has been too
cold to check.  Now we are having another winter storm.  I hope the marginal size colonies are okay.  I have heard from several local beeks who have lost all their hives this winter. So sad.

Emergency Feeding...

The first week of January 2014 brought a forecast of record low temps for the time of year in our upstate area.  With the coldest temps in 20-30 years being in the forecast, I was filled with worry for my bee colonies.  My worse fear was for my marginal colonies, ones that might make it through a mild winter and thrive but will perish in extreme cold.  These smaller clusters happen for various reasons - some maybe my fault - some maybe bee genetics or pests/disease issues.

Despite good fall prep, I am always concerned that clusters wont be able to reach food when it is needed.  I hate making candy boards and the required rims/shims.  My answer was to try to give the bees a scoop of sugar right on top of the cluster for emergency rations.

First I mixed pure cane sugar in a bowl with just enough warm water stirred in to make it start to stick together. I also added in a bit of Honey B Healthy and a small amount of honey.

On a "somewhat" mild day before the "polar vortex", I quickly opened each colony (not removing any frames and trying to minimize the time with the colony open.  I found the cluster and placed a piece of newspaper on top of the cluster - dampened this with a spray of sugar water - dumped a clump of the candy mix on top and got the top box back on.  The candy mixture was pliable and molded between the boxes not requiring a shim.  I am convinced that this practice helped some of the colonies survive.  This was an emergency situation and I hope helped some of the smaller clusters survive the record cold.

Drones in Fall ?

Bee Colonies have a reason for the things they do.  My role as beekeeper is to try to figure out when something is wrong that may threaten the viability of the colony. Drones (male bees) are kicked out of the hive in fall.  When I see one hive that is keeping drones when the others have evicted their males, I worry that this might be a sign of trouble even though things look ok.  It's a puzzle !  The bee in front is a worker..the bigger eyed drone is just behind.

Becoming a beekeeper ? Is it for you ?

Have you always wanted to try beekeeping ?  Maybe this is your time !  Winter is a good time to read up and get prepared for new bees in the Spring.  Most bee orders are actually placed in January for spring delivery.  In our area, local beekeeping associations hold classes in January/Febr
uary.  These classes are taught by experienced volunteers who donate their time free of charge so the cost for the student is low and the money raised goes to promote the local club.  Get started in beekeeping this year..who knows where it may lead ?









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