View Full Version : Drone's still???
went out to look at the hives today and saw a hive kicking out drones, thought they would have already done that but all 6 hive's still going strong.
BjornBee
12-24-2005, 02:58 PM
I heard things down south were a little slow. ;)
Action
12-25-2005, 09:47 AM
Still have drones in Ca.
Jack
BillS
12-25-2005, 11:04 AM
I was very surprised to not only see drones, but to see the girls letting them come and go as they pleased. This was yesterday 12/24/05 and they were taking clensing flights. I have two hives of Itialians that I did'nt see any drones in. The hive with the drones is a once removed feral. They showed up as a swarm. they were dark and feisty, but good producers. They swarmed and open mated and now look like the Italians only they are a brighter yellow. They are still good producers.
Hope you all have a good Christmas, and no dead outs.
Bill Schaefer
none in the OB hive since about the end of November.
Did these hives with drones have any viable worker brood? There may be a drone layer or laying worker present. If conditions are good and an adequate supply of protein present they will rear drones. I often see early drones in response to protein stimulation in the stronger hives. However in our area an over abundance of drones this time of year is usually a red flag.
JBJ
tecumseh
12-25-2005, 03:58 PM
as of the end of last week I still had a few drones present in my more robust hives.
I live half a mile from the sea in Melbourne Oz, I had drones all winter last winter, in fact winter is a productive season here I got nearly 20 kilos of honey over last winter in one of my hives.
Alex
Michael Bush
01-09-2006, 03:31 PM
I went through my nucs on Saturday (mid fiftes) and most all of them had one or two drones in them. But the ferals seem to keep more drones around.
GreenMountainRose
01-09-2006, 03:54 PM
My hives were still kicking out the drones as of two weeks ago. Moreover, my bees were out walking on one of the upper entrances last weekend in 15 degree (but sunny) weather. Some were actually flying and making it back. I don't know what to make of it. By this time last year, both of my hives (acquired in September) had died off. I'm trying really hard not to start counting my chickens before they've hatched, but I'm thinking that I'm going to get my first honey this year. (Crossing fingers.)