Are you ready for the Odfrank overwintering challenge?

[MeriB]

Is it too late to come in? I have 4 hives since Oct 1.

[Charlie B]

You're the last late entry Meridith, good luck!

[odfrank]

You're the last late entry Meridith, good luck!

As all beekeepers are 100% honest I feel that we should allow entries until 12/31/12 as long as they base their starting count on 10/1/12.

[Charlie B]

Lost those two hives I mentioned earlier. Ouch!

[rweakley]

I am treatment free most years (for varroa,shb, or bee squirts (sorry couldn't remember name)) I have treated in the past with oxalic acid vaporization, Fall of 2011 I did, This fall I'm not.

Going into winter with 3 Single story deep hives, 2 double deep hives, 3 nucs, 2 double mediums, and 1 triple medium. 2 of the Nucs had been in fullsize hives, but didn't have time (or resources, dang drought) to build up to that strengh so I moved them back to nucs. Of course I'm 100% honest, but that has more to do with being a Boy Scout(40 years old and still try to live that way) than a Beekeeper LOL A scout is trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful...
Rod

[Colleen O.]

Glad it isn't too late to join! As of October 1st I had (still have) two hives. One NWC and one Buckfast. They are top bar and both small enough that they could be considered nucs. They are both pretty good on honey/sugar stores, maybe a little low on pollen in one, and I tried to manage pests but stay chemical free. The one that was low on pollen has a smaller cluster but is doing okay so far.

[GLOCK]

As all beekeepers are 100% honest I feel that we should allow entries until 12/31/12 as long as they base their starting count on 10/1/12.

If i can get in i have 13 hives and 2 nucs since OCT. 1 All chemical free i would never lie only to cops and judges.

[RayMarler]

Lost a second one this week, so am down to 11 from 13 so far.

[MeriB]

So far I still have all four but work and Family medical emergiencies have kept me from getting my winter covers with candy on the hives. Should hit 50 tomorrow with no wind so I am going for it and will hope for no ill effects!

[Adrian Quiney WI]

OK, thanks to Ollie's generous offer to honest latecomers I'm in. 18 nucs (2 storys of 5 frames) and 12 hives (ranging in size from a single to a stack of four boxes). A dusting of snow is on the ground.

[lazy shooter]

On 10/1/12 I had three splits and three mature hives. I still have them. My last inspection was a week ago, and since I am on my way to knee replacement surgery early in the morning, I don't think my bees will be bothered by me for a month or so. All of my hives had good honey stores, and I am not, nor do I intend to, feed them this winter. I may try a spring boost feeding, but then again, I may not.

[Hokie Bee Daddy]

I just found this thread so I'm another latecomer. As of 10/1 I had 6 hives and as of today still do. I am a "treater" and treated for mites three times by three different methods in 2012. Good luck to all.

I will report back on 3/31/2013. This is a good idea and will give a lot of good information. We all need to know if our treatment cost are paid back in saved hives.

[odfrank]

Maybe we should make these latecomers post in:

http://www.beesource.com/forums/show...e-R-U-up-to-it

so we can judge if they have an honest face or not.

[Adrian Quiney WI]

Od, I'm at post #110. Here I am again. Honest as the day is long.
http://s1110.beta.photobucket.com/us...tml?sort=3&o=1

[GLOCK]

If i can get in i have 13 hives and 2 nucs since OCT. 1 All chemical free i would never lie only to cops and judges.

[odfrank]

You both look suspicious to me, especially that doberman, what do you think Charlie, can we trust them?

[Colleen O.]

Maybe we should make these latecomers post in:

http://www.beesource.com/forums/show...e-R-U-up-to-it

so we can judge if they have an honest face or not.

I added mine to the Face-to-Name thread. Hopefully I pass muster!

[Bear Creek Steve]

I would like to add my 7 hives as of 1 October into the challenge. No treatment, low mite drop count, mostly double deep + medium, wrapped, and top feed can fed. Had a 14% loss last winter and going for a zero % loss this winter.

Honesty is important as mentioned by rweakly (Post #105). My first Boy Scout merit badge was "Beekeeping" in ~1954.

OD; The five remaining beebee tree saplings (out of 25) that I bought from you two years ago have reached an astounding average height of 24 inches. Honestly!

Steve

[Charlie B]

They all look honest enough to me Ollie. I think you could probably learn a thing or two from Adrian on hive box appearance. You guys are in!!!

[Charlie B]

Here's me and my gorgeous bride with our first bee package several years ago. She then kicked me out of the kitchen after our first honey harvest. Something about her feet sticking to the floor.


Goodlooking couple.jpgMessy.jpg

I forgive you dear!