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Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7187826
02/18/21 12:36 PM
02/18/21 12:36 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,955
Northern Mn
rick olson Offline
trapper
rick olson  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,955
Northern Mn
The bee's are doing great in the almonds for about 3 weeks or so,than back to the coast then start neuking .Good to see most of the bee's doing well in the winter lands,for sure keep medicating for mites.

Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7187843
02/18/21 12:45 PM
02/18/21 12:45 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,005
Oregon
beaverpeeler Offline
trapper
beaverpeeler  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,005
Oregon
Originally Posted by yukonjeff
If I pull this winter off ,I will go all in on singles next year. I managed in singles this past summer season and like it more than doubles now.

BP My bees have not flown since October. Won't fly until around April 15. You guys should have a maple flow starting soon I would think. Be good times for a beekeeper.

Treat your hives or the mites will overpower your bees during winter, they either starve out or mites get them . The cold don't effect them.

In western Oregon the cold PLUS humidity can do them in. I have screen bottoms.


My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7187852
02/18/21 12:51 PM
02/18/21 12:51 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,005
Oregon
beaverpeeler Offline
trapper
beaverpeeler  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,005
Oregon
At least one of my failures was a starve out. A better bee keeper would have been on that, but I just assumed since I hadn't taken any honey and they were in two deeps that they should have had plenty. After the blackberry flow there isn't much forage for them. I planted a late buckwheat crop but there were lots of grapes at the same time and they seemed to prefer sucking sweet grape juice then working the bloom.


My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7187854
02/18/21 12:51 PM
02/18/21 12:51 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,594
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
T
Trapper7 Offline
trapper
Trapper7  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,594
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
I stopped raising bees a few years back. First, I had an infestation of skunks. I caught 12 one year. There are a lot of potato and corn fields in my area. When they started spraying the fields near me my bees starting disappearing.


I don't care how nice the hand soap smells, you should never walk out of the restroom sniffing your fingers.
Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7187990
02/18/21 02:46 PM
02/18/21 02:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,432
Georgia
warrior Offline
trapper
warrior  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,432
Georgia
Not well, bad beekeeper here. But I would welcome any and all to this weekend's GBA Spring Conference. Links and schedule below. I'll be doing the Diseases of the Brood breakout session.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4056912457686078&id=100001020913934

[Linked Image]

https://gba17.wildapricot.org/event-2710133


[Linked Image]
Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: The Beav] #7188237
02/18/21 05:24 PM
02/18/21 05:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,791
M.T.V. Alaska
Y
yukonjeff Offline OP
trapper
yukonjeff  Offline OP
trapper
Y

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,791
M.T.V. Alaska
Originally Posted by The Beav
Originally Posted by yukonjeff
If I pull this winter off ,I will go all in on singles next year. I managed in singles this past summer season and like it more than doubles now.

BP My bees have not flown since October. Won't fly until around April 15. You guys should have a maple flow starting soon I would think. Be good times for a beekeeper.

Treat your hives or the mites will overpower your bees during winter, they either starve out or mites get them . The cold don't effect them.


My daughter lives In Delta Jct and she just killed her bees every year due to the extreme temps.


I live in the bush and didnt have any contact with other Alaskan beekeepers when I started. I had two hives wintering already but was asking about getting more bees ordered, and shipped out to me from a bee package supplier in Anchorage. I told him I wanted a package in case mine die. He said what ? you have bees still ? I said yes. He instructed me to go shake them out immediately before they fowl my equipment. I was shocked to say the least. He informed me that Alaskan winters were too long, too cold. Its normal wintering procedure in Alaska I come to find out.

Well pig headed as I am I was not about to be stupid enough to shake out $500. worth of bees and then turn around and buy them back again. Thats crazy, and a bit immoral to me.

Sure enough come spring both hives dead, bees stuck inside the comb had to get packages shipped out to me at great hassle and expense.

This time I tried a little harder and that winter one survived, the next winter both survived ! thats 100 % the next winter (was last winter) I didnt feed enough and my sugar brick was too small and lost all four hives. Not due to cold or damp. I didnt feed enough.

Now I have the four hives made from a two double queen packages last spring, and a better set up with a bigger sugar brick and more insulation I think I am good, but you never know. We will see.

Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7188254
02/18/21 05:36 PM
02/18/21 05:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,432
Georgia
warrior Offline
trapper
warrior  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,432
Georgia
Check out Ian Steppler's Canadian beekeeper youtube channel. He does controlled environment wintering in sheds. Interesting stuff to say the least. By controlling temp and airflow he can get bees through in great shape.


[Linked Image]
Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: The Beav] #7188311
02/18/21 06:02 PM
02/18/21 06:02 PM
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,122
Pa.
B
Bigbrownie Offline
trapper
Bigbrownie  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,122
Pa.
Originally Posted by The Beav
Originally Posted by yukonjeff
If I pull this winter off ,I will go all in on singles next year. I managed in singles this past summer season and like it more than doubles now.

BP My bees have not flown since October. Won't fly until around April 15. You guys should have a maple flow starting soon I would think. Be good times for a beekeeper.

Treat your hives or the mites will overpower your bees during winter, they either starve out or mites get them . The cold don't effect them.


My daughter lives In Delta Jct and she just killed her bees every year due to the extreme temps.

There’s a train of thought to do the same even here in Pa. Use only medium boxes, manage for the season, shake out bees into a few consolidated hives in the fall, and extract everything after last of brood is out. If you need to leave bees 80# of honey in two deeps every fall, and you could extract it....honey at $5 a pound...you net $400. Buy new packages in April ( this years price is $ 118 / 3# ). I’ve sat through two different talks on the subject, but haven’t been able to get myself to do it.

Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: Bigbrownie] #7188353
02/18/21 06:34 PM
02/18/21 06:34 PM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 601
ontario, canada
O
old243 Offline
trapper
old243  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 601
ontario, canada
I have been going to 8 frame boxes rather than 10, I have noticed that come spring , the bees hadn't been able to use the 2 outside frames. In cold weather they seem to go up and down rather than sideways.. I have moved the outside frames in against the cluster, to help some. Late in the winter. This year I put paper on top of brood chamber put a couple of holes in it and poured about 10 pound of sugar on it . added a 1 1/2 inch rim on that , to allow for sugar. Then inner cover with upper entrance. The bees were up working the sugar , last I looked. I am not able to lift the big 10 frames anymore. I was also planning to use 5 frame boxes , and stacking them . Had 1 colony had 2 deep boxes and 2 medium on top for honey they did real well. Was able to borrow some brood frames and start another nuc as well, from it. old243

Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7188362
02/18/21 06:38 PM
02/18/21 06:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,432
Georgia
warrior Offline
trapper
warrior  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,432
Georgia
If you go to five frames many are overwintering nucs by shoving them side to side to share warmth.


[Linked Image]
Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: old243] #7188486
02/18/21 08:21 PM
02/18/21 08:21 PM
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,122
Pa.
B
Bigbrownie Offline
trapper
Bigbrownie  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,122
Pa.
Originally Posted by old243
I have been going to 8 frame boxes rather than 10, I have noticed that come spring , the bees hadn't been able to use the 2 outside frames. In cold weather they seem to go up and down rather than sideways.. I have moved the outside frames in against the cluster, to help some. Late in the winter. This year I put paper on top of brood chamber put a couple of holes in it and poured about 10 pound of sugar on it . added a 1 1/2 inch rim on that , to allow for sugar. Then inner cover with upper entrance. The bees were up working the sugar , last I looked. I am not able to lift the big 10 frames anymore. I was also planning to use 5 frame boxes , and stacking them . Had 1 colony had 2 deep boxes and 2 medium on top for honey they did real well. Was able to borrow some brood frames and start another nuc as well, from it. old243

I’ve had bees since 1974, but if I was starting over, I’d go to 8 frame boxes. Bees go up, not out. And as I’m getting older, I’d rather wrestle 8 framers than 10.

Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7188563
02/18/21 09:18 PM
02/18/21 09:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,432
Georgia
warrior Offline
trapper
warrior  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,432
Georgia
If the old jumbo 11 5/8 boxes were still available I'd go to a single jumbo and mediums. Then never move that bottom box.


[Linked Image]
Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7584764
05/16/22 06:36 AM
05/16/22 06:36 AM
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 279
Minnesota
Northernbeaver Offline
trapper
Northernbeaver  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 279
Minnesota
Did they survive?


The official Trapping Across the World Discord server.

https://discord.gg/AsdrzB5XgE
Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7584848
05/16/22 09:20 AM
05/16/22 09:20 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,261
Wisconsin
R
RdFx Offline
trapper
RdFx  Offline
trapper
R

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,261
Wisconsin
Commercial bee keepers lost over 30 percent even with all their treatments and wintering down south....


RdFx
Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7584854
05/16/22 09:33 AM
05/16/22 09:33 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,120
Manitoba
N
Northof50 Offline
trapper
Northof50  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,120
Manitoba
The drought here did a number on the over wintering bees here. Not enough young bees in the hive. Major problem with varroa destructor mites effecting hides overwintering.
50% losses
thread call up from 2 years ago
Gibb did you move your hives to your new home location last year

Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7584856
05/16/22 09:36 AM
05/16/22 09:36 AM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 670
ND
DakotaBoy Offline
trapper
DakotaBoy  Offline
trapper

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 670
ND
Not to derail the thread, but why do some beekeepers put hives right next to the road so often? Every time I go by them, it's at least 3-5 dead bees splatter on the windshield and mirrors, That's got to add up a death toll pretty quick I would imagine? Not to mention, they're tough to get off the windshield after they've baked on crazy


"Pretty cocky for a starving pilgrim!"
"An elk don't know how many legs a horse has!"
Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7584865
05/16/22 09:54 AM
05/16/22 09:54 AM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 601
ontario, canada
O
old243 Offline
trapper
old243  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 601
ontario, canada
I went into winter with 7 hives, 2 alive in spring. I had done mite treatment , 4 times with oxilic acid late fall . Fed well, and added about 10 pound of sugar on top of each hive. Two appeared to die out early as there was still lots of honey, One was very high moisture in hive , think my fault. Have split my survivors. Purchased 3 new queens, up to 5 now. Put some swarm traps out. Apple blossoms are just starting. . Hopeing for the best, Interesting bugs, Just glad it is just a hobby. Some of the local beekeepers , lost a bunch. old243

Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7584870
05/16/22 10:01 AM
05/16/22 10:01 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,106
Piney va. soon be 19
cotton Offline
trapper
cotton  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,106
Piney va. soon be 19
dang bear got 3 out of 4 for me
pretty sure the one hive sent out a swarm and i missed catching it ( was taking my granddaughter to the doc)


John 3/16

ifin your gonna be dumb ya gotta be tough
VTA life member

Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: DakotaBoy] #7584882
05/16/22 10:45 AM
05/16/22 10:45 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,432
Georgia
warrior Offline
trapper
warrior  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,432
Georgia
Originally Posted by DakotaBoy
Not to derail the thread, but why do some beekeepers put hives right next to the road so often? Every time I go by them, it's at least 3-5 dead bees splatter on the windshield and mirrors, That's got to add up a death toll pretty quick I would imagine? Not to mention, they're tough to get off the windshield after they've baked on crazy


I assume you're speaking of commercial outyards. If so I would think ease of access as those four way pallets are loaded by forklift.


[Linked Image]
Re: How's Your Bee's [Re: yukonjeff] #7584899
05/16/22 11:04 AM
05/16/22 11:04 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,120
Manitoba
N
Northof50 Offline
trapper
Northof50  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,120
Manitoba
Warrior got it with the ease access with a rear loaded fork lift on their trucks to move the hives.
Seasonal adjustments to follow the nectar flow.

you cant fix dumb

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