this weather is not helpful!

[hummingberd]

So, I've got 4 hives I need to get into, and the weather is hot, muggy, overcast and there is a constant threat of thunder storms. 2 of the colonies are swarms that I gathered 4th of July weekend, so I have to see what their progress is. The other two are very strong colonies. I know that bees can be "cranky" during the dearth. Add in all the other factors and I'm looking at a whole bunch of fun, aren't I?

Any suggestions about the big colonies? Should I hold off on inspections? Should I be thinking about feeding all the colonies? Any other thoughts on working with your bees during the dearth?

Thanks...:)

[Luke]

I was in the middle of a great flow until this rain started. Now the bees are all hanging out on the porch. Maybe you could just take a quick look at the two new hives if the day starts out sunny before the storms start brewing again. I have been seeing goldenrod starting to bloom around here so things should pick up soon.

[iddee]

Bees can sense a storm coming in and will react the same as you would if someone were to take the roof off your house with clouds on the horizon. Suit up like an astronaut and wash your suit afterward, as it will likely have the smell of a hundred stings when you finish. Yes, bees leave a "guard smell" in your clothes when they sting.

They do need to be checked, tho, so dress well and go for it between 9 and 11 AM. on a sunny day.

[jeff123fish]

I agree with Iddee dont forget lots of smoke (but not to much) and a spray bottle of sugar water doesn't hurt either.(sort of like the candy dish at grandma's house)

[cow pollinater]

Go with shorts and a T-shirt. It's called apitherapy and it's good for you.

Just kidding. If you're really worried about it, put a little syrup in an entrance feeder a day or two in advance... no more dearth. (we'll wait to see your future post about robbing before we discuss the downside of my plan.)

[hummingberd]

well, thanks for the encouragement. I went into the colonies this morning, and they were sweet as pie. :rolleyes: women! (hehe, I can say that cuz I'm a girl!)

The sun was shining, and it wasn't nearly as humid as it's been. The bees were acting the way I would normally "expect" them to behave. They were buzzing about. Flying back and forth from the hive to the fields. The two strongest colonies have 1 full deep and 2 full mediums each. The mediums are mostly frames of honey with a couple frames of brood in the middle box. I think that should be enough for them to make it through winter which means that if we have a good fall flow, I'll get to harvest my first honey crop ever! yippee :D

The two swarms are looking pretty good. One of the swarms has sort of a weak brood pattern, and I'm thinking I should requeen that one. I'm considering giving her another week because in all fairness, they were put in that box at the beginning of the dearth, and I didn't get a chance to feed them, so maybe she just doesn't have enough room to lay. I'm going to be keeping a close eye on that colony. The other colony is doing well.

I'll plan to feed both swarms through the dearth. Should I take 1 medium each, off the two strong hives? and return it to them at the end of the season? Or should I just leave it there?

thanks for all the help everyone :)

[Luke]

Do you always go through the winter here with just one deep or do you use the mediums in place of the second? If that is the case I would let them keep that honey and add a super for the fall flow.
What part of Arundel are you in? I am not too far from you. This year has been good in my area. I just finished bottling 32 pounds of honey and have another super almost finished. This is the first year I got honey since moving here.

[gingerbee]

I went into a weak hive yesterday, it was thundering and about to rain (they needed to be fed). They had no problem with it. Then walked by my large hive, they- as usual- were aggressive. I think it depends on the bees too.

I have only one deep on my hives and I super on top of that. I leave the bees a full super of honey to winter over. I'm only going to leave them honey made from sugar syrup if they can't make enough natural honey before then. I have just started feeding sugar syrup to encourage comb-drawing on strong hives and to prevent robbing during the dearth. I don't want the bees filling up supers of it, after comb is being drawn I'll stop feeding all but the weakest hives.

My swarm was caught late too, late June. I'm concerned about them having enough honey to make it through the winter.