Are you ready for the Odfrank overwintering challenge?

[GLOCK]

Do you have a pic or web addy do you?
I'm not getting what you mean getting old.
Thank you.
Do you mean like 3in pvc caps{for pluming} fliped upside down filled with gease and put the caps on the 4x4s and the the hive on top them?

[Charlie B]

Glock,

Here's a link to a previous thread I started that has pics and instructions. There are two designs I came up with. The wood dowel design is towards the end of the thread.

http://www.beesource.com/forums/show...oof+hive+stand

[BayHighlandBees]

an ant stand on your roof? Wow, you must really have some powerful ants in your neighborhood!

[GLOCK]

Glock,

Here's a link to a previous thread I started that has pics and instructions. There are two designs I came up with. The wood dowel design is towards the end of the thread.

http://www.beesource.com/forums/show...oof+hive+stand

Charlie B thank you so much i'm going with this set up

is that a rat trap under the stand?

[Charlie B]

Glock,

Yes it is. We have some pretty good size rats wanting honey as well.

[odfrank]

Glock,Yes it is. We have some pretty good size rats wanting honey as well.

Rats, ants....how do you keep your tenants?

[KQ6AR]

We have a few club members who pour some used motor oil on the cinder blocks with good results. Seems the ants hate oil, Even a year after I put a little oil in my water cups the ants still stay away from them.

Charlie thak you. I f you know how my stand is then i guess i could grease the cender blocks that the 4x4 set on you think that will work?

[Charlie B]

We have a few club members who pour some used motor oil on the cinder blocks with good results. Seems the ants hate oil, Even a year after I put a little oil in my water cups the ants still stay away from them.

See Uncle Olly, even Dan had ant problems. It's not just me!

[Colleen O.]

I peaked in the observation window of my weaker hive today and they are still hanging in. There were a few dead bees and some capping wax crumbs visible under the cluster but the bees were moving in place keeping warm. Two more months! (I did order an "insurance package" just in case though ...)

[WWW]

Checked my hives yesterday, the temperatures have finally moderated into the 50 degree range during the day after weeks of freezing weather. All six hives have been house cleaning and are still heavy when hefted, looking good so far. We still have a ways to go before were out of the woods.

[Charlie B]

Nice Bill, you're always doing something right!

[WWW]

Thanks Charlie, I appreciate your positivity.

[minz]

Exact same story here, hit 50 I popped the tops, checked the dry sugar. Nucs each took a couple of lbs in the feeders (lost one of 4). All others seem to be alive (4 doubles and a single) and not needing it yet. I was surprised how hard the top of the sugar piles were. A lot of condensation I guess.

[WWW]

Good job minz, spring isn't to for off, it will be here before we know it.

[rweakley]

If I had to bring the NUC indoors (sorta, room stays about 45-50 degreees) to finish getting through the winter, does that count as a survival? A few days ago on a day when all the hives were flying except this nuc I popped into it and it looked for all the world to be a dead out, but just hoping I blew some warm breath down on them and they started slowly moving a leg or 2. I brought them into a warm bathroom to get them fully warmed up (also put some more sugar in there) and then moved them to the cool room. Today I quickly went in there to see if the queen was still alive and sure enough there she is. So if this NUC lives do I get to count it?

[BeeGhost]

RWeakley,

I didn't see a rule stated on how your beehive has to stay alive, as long as it is alive come the competition end date!

[odfrank]

RWeakley, I didn't see a rule stated on how your beehive has to stay alive, as long as it is alive come the competition end date!

See the first ten posts. It is not much of a competition if it is no holds barred. The Keiths of the group likely have a big advantage over the treatment frees. There is natural beekeeping and there is factory farming beekeeping. If their success rate isn't a lot higher than mine I feel sorry for them.

[KQ6AR]

You live in MO, sounds like you put a weak nuc into a barn or shed. I certainly don't have a problem with that.
I closed the screened bottom board on my weak hive the other day, & I don't think it disqualifies that hive.

If I had to bring the NUC indoors (sorta, room stays about 45-50 degreees) to finish getting through the winter, does that count as a survival? A few days ago on a day when all the hives were flying except this nuc I popped into it and it looked for all the world to be a dead out, but just hoping I blew some warm breath down on them and they started slowly moving a leg or 2. I brought them into a warm bathroom to get them fully warmed up (also put some more sugar in there) and then moved them to the cool room. Today I quickly went in there to see if the queen was still alive and sure enough there she is. So if this NUC lives do I get to count it?

[oblib]

WAIT... I thought we were trying to lose more than odfrank.

[Adrian Quiney WI]

There are 49 days left for our bees to survive to the end of the OD challenge. We are in a short January thaw it may reach a positively balmy 40 degrees tomorrow. I'm at home and may add a few frames of honey tomorrow, 29/30 are still kicking along.