Search:

I'm determined this year to keep better records during my hive inspections. One reason I've been a bit lax in this area is because I really don't know how much information I should be recorded, or...

How so? Don't bees swarm essentially because there's no more space left for the queen to lay, and little room for additional stores of honey and pollen. How does adding foundation change this...

I have two hives in southern Maine that are overwintering well and I'd like to make a split off each this spring. During a quick inspection last weekend I noticed one hive has a small patch of brood...

Thanks Ian.

I've been treating specifically to address a high mite load. I've been amazed at the number of mites that have dropped onto the bottom board in the past week - wow!

The hive is...

Yes, it's Thymol.

What do you guys think? Would my best bet be to stop treatment temporarily and see if they take on more syrup?

I'm quickly learning there are few easy answers when it comes...

Thanks. I might have to go that route.

Would warming the syrup help at all?

I'm a first year beek and have a hive that I've been feeding since about mid-September. I had some swarming issues over the summer and was left with a pretty light hive with limited stores. Initially...

Thanks, I looked up beeswax bloom in my texts and think that may be it. It's a bit strange the bloom was on the frames too, but I suppose there was probably beeswax residue on those.

We're due for...

This afternoon during a hive inspection I noticed what looked like a white powdery substance on many of the frames and capped honey in my two hives - almost looks like a mildew of sorts. It's pretty...

Our state apiarist spoke at our recent beekeepers club meeting. He recommended wrapping with light weight tar paper (it's easier to bend without cracking in cool weather). Based on those I've spoken...

I live not too far south from Wayne and the goldenrod flow has pretty much been a bust around these parts. I went to a local bee club meeting on Monday where the state apiarist spoke about fall...

Have you had any discussions with him recently? Regardless of whether you think they're your bees, maybe you could offer to help him with his "infestation". You may find that they aren't honey bees...

Anyone have thoughts on this?

Hi all,

My wife and I are first year beekeepers and are managing two hives. The first hive is doing very well and appears to be a strong colony. However, the second hive swarmed twice - once in...

Thanks Wayne. I haven't noticed that distinctive gym socks smell yet, but there's plenty of goldenrod blooming in the area. I was curious to hear what other locals were experiencing.

Well, I've received quite the education today. Thanks to all for your replies, this is all a lot clearer now. That's why I love this hobby, you can learn something new every day - fascinating stuff....

Well, it looks like the majority of folks think I should wait until spring so I think that's what I'll do. First frost in our area is typically mid to late September.

That said, it sounds like...

We have two hives. Our other hive swarmed and, therefore, has a new queen.

Part of the reason I was thinking of requeening is that, in my last hive inspection, it looked like the brood pattern was starting to get a bit spotty. But thinking about it now, perhaps that's...

I've often heard that you should requeen your colonies every one to two years. My existing queen is about a year and a half old so I've decided to requeen. Right now the colony is very health with...

I significantly reduced the entrances on the weaker hive after it swarmed so I have that part covered. I'm just hoping the one hornet doesn't turn into dozens.

I'll have to give the wasp trap a...

This morning while doing a hive inspection I noticed a bald faced hornet buzzing my two hives and picking fights with the bees. The girls did a great job fighting it off considering the hornet was 2...

To make a really long story short, I have a hive that's swarmed twice in as many weeks. When I went in the hive today to see what was going on there were still 8 queen cells that had not hatched yet....

They're still up there as of this morning and it's pouring outside right now. I wonder if the girls are regretting their decision. :)

Oh, and it's threatening to rain. I suspect we'll get a shower in the next hour or so. Not sure if this changes anything. Here's where they are... just chilling on a tree branch.
...