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I have a swarm that took roost in a bait hive in my orchard some time during the last two-three weeks. When can I expect the virgin queen to begin egg laying?

Back at it again this year after a couple of years off. One hive, a swarm from last year has produced almost 200 lbs. Another, a feral, is only at about 80 lbs.
A more typical summer in...

Anyone have experience with a King Rotoblaster extractor--either the H-1000 2 frame hand crank or the H-4000E 4 frame motorized models?

Can't help much with conditions and trends in Eastern Ontario, but will comment on how things have been in South-western Ontario.

An unusual year so far. Record amounts of rain and plenty of heat....

Thank you Honeyshack--informative, thorough and helpful.

Please beekuk, tell all!

I have a thriving hive that just doesn't seem to be producing the amount of honey I would expect, nor do they want to make wax.

Might they have some sort of nosema infection and if so how do I...

We're not in Michigan, but along a similar latitude I expect--south-western Ontario, just south of Owen Sound.

I have one hive, a captured swarm from last year, that is on its fifth deep super as...

I wondered about a disease of some sort. I am familiar with nosema's tell-tale signs after the winter months but how does one diagnose it at this time of year? The interior of the hive looks clean.

Checked this colony yesterday. One deep super is almost full; a second is 30% full. Wax cappings have yet to come. Still can't figure out why they seem so slow. This appears to be a very strong...

Our local Co-Op is selling last year's honey for $12.00/1.5 kg.

Goldenrod honey is frequently sought after in my area (southwestern Ontario). In addition to its distinct flavour and dark colour it is often prescribed by allergists for people with allergies.

Yesterday while in our local Co-Op which sells local honey, I saw last year's product selling for $12.00 1.5kg (approx. quart or 3.3 lbs).

Anyone want to take a stab on wholesale and retail honey prices in your area?

No sign of SHB. The frames were stored in our barn--very dry, cold during our Canadian winters. No chemicals.

Given the size of the colony, I'm beginning to wonder if I should just remove the...

The story continues. . . .

The bee population in this hive is impressive yet the honey production is slow. I have another hive with fewer bees producing twice as much honey.

In a week's time...

The reason I posted this question is because the bees in this hive seem hesitant to "move up"--surprising given the dark comb. Nevertheless, perhaps placing a frame of brood in this super would help?...

In a pinch I've resorted to using a couple of old brood frames as supers (they're clean--no honey, brood, or pollen), Does anyone anticipate any problems with this? (note: I'm using a queen excluder...

Katers and all,

Not sure why the bees left. It occurred toward the last week of August 2007, the fall prior to the winter many beekeepers throughout North America lost unusually high numbers of...

Have been keeping bees for eight or so years. A couple of years ago both of my colonies absconded (at the same time). Last year I replaced these with one recaptured swarm and a swarm that simply...