Bees

[user 7704]

Checked on my pitiful hive this morning and gave them 4 lbs of sugar. They seem to be hanging around so maybe they do have a queen.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

For the bee keepers. When it is hot this is said to help your bees survive. Marbles in a container with cold water.

 

[user 7704]

I hang a chicken waterer and put rocks in it for them to stand on and not drown.

I found them drown in the pool all the time.

 

[poltiregist]

The university of Arkansas had a bee problem that their college folks didn't know how to tackle , so they called in my son-in-law . The bees were in a hollow tree that they did not want cut down . Solution my son-in-law and grandson climbed up to the hole in which the bees were entering using a climbing tree stand . They drilled a small hole below the opening for inserting smoke . Also a funnel was fitted over the bees entrance which basically allowed the bees to leave but not return . A nuke was also fitted over the one way funnel containing comb and honey . They filled the tree with smoke and left . Today they received a call from the college folks . The bees left the tree along with the queen and were hanging on the outside . My son-in-law is going back by the college this evening to hopefully collect the bees .

 

[user 7704]

I'm finally getting some honey. I am so sticky and bees are all over my stuff I took off. It's a mess and I don't even like honey, but thinking we may be depending on it in the future

 

[user 7704]

It has a nice color. I got about 16 pints so far. I don't calculate by poundage as I should.

 

[poltiregist]

This summer for reasons only known to the bees , my one and only hive the bees up and left leaving lots of honey and comb . Before I figured out what was going on robber bees had cleaned out the abandoned hive . I gave up as I am a diabetic and really can not eat much honey nor does anyone else in the household . As my son-in-law has bee hives only about 1/4 mile from me , gave all my supers , frames , foundation and honey extractor to him . He seems to be doing well with the bees . -- Those college educated bees that I spoke of in my previous post seem to be doing well and are building comb in their new home .

 

[user 7704]

This summer for reasons only known to the bees , my one and only hive the bees up and left leaving lots of honey and comb . Before I figured out what was going on robber bees had cleaned out the abandoned hive . I gave up as I am a diabetic and really can not eat much honey nor does anyone else in the household . As my son-in-law has bee hives only about 1/4 mile from me , gave all my supers , frames , foundation and honey extractor to him . He seems to be doing well with the bees . -- Those college educated bees that I spoke of in my previous post seem to be doing well and are building comb in their new home .

I have entire hives abscond almost every year. I jest keep replenishing in the Spring. I raise them mostly for pollination. I went 3 or 4 years with almost zero honey. The first year, I had enough to sell. I'm keeping most of this but giving some to people who help me out.

 

[user 7704]

I finished harvesting the honey. I have 26 assorted size jars. I am happy. The cleanup his heck. Just mopped the floor and it was a sticky mess.

 

[user 7704]

I'm watching one of my hives swarm. They are really loud. I started walking toward them and Leon growled and grabbed my arm and pulled me toward home. He was protecting his mommy.

 

[user 7704]

Instead of absconding, the swarm is making comb on an open limb. That seems really odd to me. They don't seem to be leaving, but they can't survive in the open.

 

[poltiregist]

Instead of absconding, the swarm is making comb on an open limb. That seems really odd to me. They don't seem to be leaving, but they can't survive in the open.

What is your plan or are you going to leave them to their fate ? How big a swarm was the original cluster ?

 

[user 7704]

My mentor told me to suck it up and get down there. I did. It was so hot. I took an empty box and put frames in it and baited it with syrup. Then I climbed a ladder and waved a frame as high as I could to get their attention.

I saw some going to the hive but not a lot. I'll see tomorrow. It isn't that large of a swarm. Probably half the size you see normally. It was from a weak hive. Not sure if there is a queen.

I also can't believe they have made comb on the tree limb. Pretty good size for 24 hours.

 

[user 7704]

My mentor said that tomorrow I need to climb the ladder and knock down the bees in the tree close to the new hive box.

That sounds like fun. I'm going to do it early so that I don't melt.

 

[user 7704]

I did it! The bees are so mad. Used my machete and pried the comb off and the dropped into a box I was holding. I put the comb into the the hive and dumped the bees in. Gave them some sugarlic.

Update. Just checked and those butts got out of hive and went back to the limb and are building new comb. I give up.

 

[Proud Prepper]

I did it! The bees are so mad. Used my machete and pried the comb off and the dropped into a box I was holding. I put the comb into the the hive and dumped the bees in. Gave them some sugarlic.

Update. Just checked and those butts got out of hive and went back to the limb and are building new comb. I give up.

Cut off the limb next time

 

[user 7704]

The silly swarm had the comb in the tree knocked down by something last night and those persistent boogers are rebuilding for the 3rd time.

 

[user 7704]

@TexasFreedom update on swarm. They have stayed on the limb now for a month. Went down yesterday to cut down again, but this time there was no comb, just a wad of bees. I got all of them into a box and sprayed the limb with vinegar. Usually, they immediately go back to limb, but this time nope.

I fed them in the new box and I stuck my ear to it today and they are buzzing. I guess that vinegar is a deterrent.

I'm not expecting them to stay, but it has been a learning experience.

 

[TexasFreedom]

steal a frame of brood (with eggs) from another colony and give it to them. They will either immediately try to make a queen, or not. That will tell you if they have a queen, and it will help boost their numbers. Drawn frame would really help so they can start storing sugarwater.

 

[user 7704]

Nature

https://gab.com/tacsgc/posts/111296501986346306

 

[user 7704]

I have two empty hives except for yellow jackets. No good. I have called and put in a pre-order for 2 nucs in the Spring.

I have to do some research on the yellow jackets.

 

[user 6493]

I have two empty hives except for yellow jackets. No good. I have called and put in a pre-order for 2 nucs in the Spring.

I have to do some research on the yellow jackets.

I can tell you they are mean little suckers

 

[user 7704]

My husband asked me for 2 jars of honey to give to business partners. I said no because I had gone 4 years between good harvests.

Plus my bees have died and I'm waiting for Spring to start over.

He says I am selfish. I say he has zero idea how much work goes into a harvest. Heavy, sticky, messy work.

I'm looking to the future when we may not have access to sugar etc.

 

[user 7704]

Surprise.... I went down to clean the last empty hive today and there were bees flying in and out. Obviously, the last time I checked, they were hiding. I didn't go into the bottom box.

I have scraped hundreds of dead ones out this winter so there can't be many left. I'm going to buy a new hive kit since I have already ordered 3 nucs and paid a deposit. I wasn't properly dressed to check for a queen. Even if I were, I have a really hard time finding her. I need her to wear a crown.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

We have never kept bees, but this man’s “harvest” of honey shocked me. 77 lbs in 8 months!!

 

[user 7704]

Just my luck. My bee mentor just called and said my 3 boxes of bees are ready to pick up. I had to tell him I am unable today, but maybe after I see the doctor. He said no problem and he can wait.

He has always been super nice to me.

 

[user 7704]

Son and I just did a huge 3 Stooges routine. He tried to push me to the hives in mom's transport chair. Grass was too high and rocky so I ended up in the high weeds trying to get the hives ready for bees.

I look down and I ants crawling all over me. I think I have them in shape. My mentor is bringing them here. Such a nice man. I asked to pay him and he refused. I still owe him balance and I think I will put extra money the envelope and seal it. He won't know until he gets home.

 

[user 7704]

My mentor is bringing my bees. I feel guilty but he needs to get them all placed.

 

[user 7704]

Was missing a queen so he has to bring one. Now I really feel guilty. 2 trips.

 

[user 7704]

My mentor said I need to get another box and an excluder on my hives ASAP. That's gonna be hard for me, but "if I don't do it, you know no body else will".