Getting Warmer

ski · Post by **ski** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:06 am

Since the last 3-4 days have been so cold I have not seen any activity at all at the hives and that just did not seem natural, normal yea I guess so. It was just strange not to see any bees flying. I hope to see a little activity today since the temperature will be up around 50.

ski · Post by **ski** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 3:13 pm

I fell a little better now that I see some activity.

Taken January 5th about 1500 hours. Temperature about 50-52 degrees.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... 207020.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... 207019.jpg

Also taken January 5th at one of the open feeders.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... 207010.jpg

Locust&Honey · Post by **Locust&Honey** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 4:36 pm

Thanks for the pics. I will be going into two of my weaker hives Monday. Hope all will be well.

ski · Post by **ski** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:21 pm

The pics were of the nuc started hive from the club. The other hive from a local bee keeper nuc was not very active so I moved the pine straw bale I had leaned up against the back of the hive and peaked through the screened bottom. There were 10-12 dead bees on the screen and it looked dark and solid between the bottom of the deep frames. So I blew on them gently and and the solid mass between the frames came to life. THERE ALIVE THERE ALIVE!! lol I am going to keep the open feeders going with warm syrup each day and may put some dry sugar on the top bars to see what happens bee wise and moisture wise.
As Wally advised and from Frank Waytt's talk (glad I got to hear that one) going to be ready to put the pollen patties on early February. Can't wait to get started.
Hope things are OK in your hives let us know.

Locust&Honey · Post by **Locust&Honey** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:23 pm

THERE ALIVE THERE ALIVE!!...LOL!!!!!!

ski · Post by **ski** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:16 am

Looking forward to a few warm days again. Supposed to be around mid 50's so the bees should be flying. Time to fill the open feeders again and see what shows up. A few weeks ago when I checked the upper supers there were capped stores still available, but I added some granulated sugar on some newspaper just in case. Time to see if they survived the last cold spell and see if they are still alive lol.

Locust&Honey · Post by **Locust&Honey** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:01 pm

Well, checked out the hives. It appears two bit the dust. Plenty of stores but when we had the bad weather I feared that some of the moisture entered the hive and that may have done them in. The freezing rain and snow was blowing right at the front of the hives. Oh well....looking for some splits now.

ski · Post by **ski** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:02 pm

L&H ,
Sorry to hear about the losses. Sounds like you still have a few hives remaining.
I filled the open feeders today and they were busy. My two hives had activity so I think they are OK. It seemed a bit chilly today so I plan on taking a quick look tomorrow.

Locust&Honey · Post by **Locust&Honey** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:50 pm

Yeah, wasn't excited but figured it was going to happen sooner or later. It worked out nicely though because I am now able to feed the remaining hives the stroes from the 2 failed hives. They were going at it like mad. Tons of pollen and honey for all. Feast day we called it!!!

ski · Post by **ski** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:35 pm

I am sure it will happen sooner or later to me as well also not looking forward to it.
The two hives I have are still alive with frames of stores (honey or syrup). They were out foraging at the open feeders and every now and then some pollen would be carried in. The cluster still seems to be pretty low in the bottom deep.

I put granulated sugar on newspaper about a week ago but they have not touched it. The sugar had a crust on it so there was some moisture but I was glad to see that the newspaper was dry so maybe not an excessive amount. Maybe next week I can start the pollen patties and start putting pollen sub out around the open feeders. or maybe wait until the second week.

Are you going to start the pollen patties next week?

Locust&Honey · Post by **Locust&Honey** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:54 pm

Already started the patties. They don't seem to be taking them. They are out like mad over the honey from the other hives. They are also hitting the sugar water I made 1 week ago. I suspect she is laying due to the fact they are taking in BOTH the sugar and honey. I am seeing 4 or 5 bees at a time going in with pollen. Appears to be greenish. This is really giving me the fever.
I went into the hive that I have down the road. There are 4 good frames of bees with capped over brood and eggs. I placed a patty on them to help and took 5 frames of honey to replace 5 empty ones in the brood box. All appears to be well. Looks like spring weather the next or so. YIPPEEEE!!!!!!!!

ski · Post by **ski** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 2:48 pm

Its a nice day today lots of activity at the open feeders.
I plan on putting on the pollen patties tomorrow (before the super bowl).

I put some pollen sub out today and they seem to like it as well as part of an old pollen patty that has been there for a month. The brown stuff in the pollen basket is the pollen patty.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... 207034.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... 207033.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... 207032.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... 207031.jpg

And then a few more showed up
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... 207035.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... 207036.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... 207037.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... 207040.jpg

And then the pollen was almost all gone
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... 207041.jpg

I am going to go in tomorrow and see where they put all that pollen.

ski · Post by **ski** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:22 pm

I did an inspection today Sunday February 03.
There is a small patch of brood in each hive on one frame and a good amount of bees in each hive. They are starting to fill up the brood chamber with syrup so have to cut back on the open feeding. They both have several frames of capped stores.

Now lets see what else did I want to do OH YEAH sitting here at my computer I remember PUT SOME POLLEN PATTY ON !! @^#%*^#%.
LOL another senior moment. I think they are in good shape for a few more days especiall with the pollen sub at the open feeders.

Locust&Honey · Post by **Locust&Honey** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 4:39 pm

GREAT pics Ski!!! Looks like the ladies are doing well. That was quite a bit of pollen they took in. Was that all in one day???

ski · Post by **ski** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 5:09 pm

Yes,the pollen was almost gone in about 3-4 hours.