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  • · Premium Member
    From 25 to 14 with intention…8 frame mediums
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    Riddled with varroa...What on earth happened?
    My mentee (recently acquired/84 years young) bought one package in April. Under another’s guidance they split it mid May. He put 3 Apivar strips in on July 1st for 42 days which I gave him after just opening the package, received this year.
    August 18th, I visited to help inspect because he noticed it was a bit quieter. Outside there were newly emerged bees with DWV and covered in 3-4 mites. Beetle detritus on the landing board. Every forager bee had a mite on her. Inside there were very few bees, the marked queen (no mites on her), a small patch of larvae, patchy emerging bees with DWV, and many beetles, but not slimed.
    I spoke to the package provider to see if there was possible Apivar resistance but they don’t use it. We didn’t do a mite count before the Apivar.
    My guess is they robbed a mite crashing colony after the split. I’ve never seen mites like this, even on videos.

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    Michael,
    First winter beekeeping. I tried to winter a few nucs. I am in Wisconsin and we get winters similar to yours I believe. looks like 2 of the 3 did not have enough bees to make it 3rd is doing ok so far. Question: I have if you don't mind my asking is what should I do with the frames in the dead out to protect them until I can use the stores in other hives this spring when they need it? I have 6 good frames of nector and capped Honey in it.

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    Local feral survivors in eight frame medium boxes.
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    Usually you look at the open nectar in the hive. It will be plentiful and it will be like water. If you shake the comb it will fall out. Also the attitude of the bees and also if it's gaining weight and bees or losing weight and bees.

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    I have a quick question. I can tell when my bees are bringing in pollen, but how can you tell if they are bringing in nectar. I saw you on line and hope you don't mind the intrusion.

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    Local feral survivors in eight frame medium boxes.
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    They will not start another queen cell if they have a virgin queen.

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    Hi Michael,
    I gave the swarm a frame of open brood to help anchor them. But what if the Queen is still vergin, would they try to build another queen cell.

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    Local feral survivors in eight frame medium boxes.
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    I'd have to find it. It may have gotten lost in the move. I think I might have two and I'm not using either. I'll try to find time to look around for them.

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    I have 10 frame boxes. I put 9 frame spaceers in the medium supers. 2 questions: 9 frame in deep brood box? 9 frame in medium brood box?

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    Local feral survivors in eight frame medium boxes.
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    Glad I could help. It was a very nice meeting. It's always nice to get back in the rockies too...

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    Thank you again for an inspiring and informative visit to Colorado Springs today- I'm sure I speak for many of the PPBA members when I say I feel liberated, actually, to have the information you shared about- well, everything. No more package bees if I can help it!

    Thanks again,
    Rita Schott

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    Hello!
    I hope that you are doing well! I am the president of the Humboldt County Beekeepers Assn. in N. Cali.
    I love your book, The Practical Beekeeper. It is one of the few bee books that make any sense to me. I modeled my apiary after yours. I run all 8 frame med. Lang. Hives with no foundation.
    We have many beekeepers locally who want to bee treatment free. Most don't believe me when I tell them they need to bee either foundation less or run small cell.
    I would love it if I could twist your arm to come visit us and speak to the Assn. I am not particular about when. I bet could get you another engagement in Sonoma Co. Just south of us.
    We have a lot to offer here if you haven't seen the redwoods yet:)
    Please consider it.
    Thanks,
    Jamie Bucklin

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    Local feral survivors in eight frame medium boxes.
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    If you are in Southern California, there should be plenty of bees available, especially after the almond pollination is over. Most of the bees we get here come from Oliverez.

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    Thanks for the reply. When I have time I hope to view you website more. That is nice of you to do that. Who would you suggest I get ahold of to get a package of bees from? I have a friend in Southern California that used to have bees when he was younger. He is an old man now. He expressed his interest in keeping a hive again. I ordered a hive kit for him and he has assembled it. I told him I would look for some bees for him. Thanks.
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