Local beeks are evenly divided on this question (3-3).
I'm in Atlanta and started with two packages of Italians from Rossman, which is only a couple hours away. I used packages because I'm running all 8 frame mediums and I wanted to regress them (or at least let them build whatever sized cells they liked from strips of small cell foundation.) Both packages built up well through August and then came rains of Biblical proportions. I'm sure you saw it on CNN. Consequently, when one hive went queenless sometime in the middle of August I had no idea because it was too wet to go in and look.
The other hive seems to have superseded herself and managed to rear a queen who bred with local bees. When the sun finally came out again in late September the hive was about half and half golden bees and dusky grey to black ones. I am in an area bordered by some of the earliest Russian importers and so could be in range of some of their hives or thrown swarms. I noticed black bees on my clover last February before I saw any golden ones about and rather hope some of those genes are in the line now.
This hive is overwintering on 8 frames in one box and never built up any appreciable stores. I don't think this is a failing of the bees, but just their poor luck in being confined inside the hive for two months their first year. I have fed them almost constantly since the end of August. First 2:1 then dry sugar after Thanksgiving. I gave them Megabee in late August, thinking that if they couldn't get nectar, they couldn't get pollen either, but they didn't take to it at all.
As of 1-18-10 the cluster seems to be slightly smaller than a month ago but still covering 6 frames. I didn't dare examine any frames because it was only 60 degrees but I did give them 2 more pounds of sugar (they've taken 5lbs total so far). I'm planning to add Megabee patties next week and maybe switch back to syrup (all local beeks agree it's still too early for anything but 2:1) depending on what the weatherman says.
IF this hive makes it through the spring how likely is she to decide to swarm? Especially if I expand with strips rather than foundation or drawn comb? For the record, the 3 who said "No" cite the dearth of stores and room to expand, the "Yes" votes think I may not notice an early buildup with some part Russian genetics.
Thanks in advance!
I'm in Atlanta and started with two packages of Italians from Rossman, which is only a couple hours away. I used packages because I'm running all 8 frame mediums and I wanted to regress them (or at least let them build whatever sized cells they liked from strips of small cell foundation.) Both packages built up well through August and then came rains of Biblical proportions. I'm sure you saw it on CNN. Consequently, when one hive went queenless sometime in the middle of August I had no idea because it was too wet to go in and look.
The other hive seems to have superseded herself and managed to rear a queen who bred with local bees. When the sun finally came out again in late September the hive was about half and half golden bees and dusky grey to black ones. I am in an area bordered by some of the earliest Russian importers and so could be in range of some of their hives or thrown swarms. I noticed black bees on my clover last February before I saw any golden ones about and rather hope some of those genes are in the line now.
This hive is overwintering on 8 frames in one box and never built up any appreciable stores. I don't think this is a failing of the bees, but just their poor luck in being confined inside the hive for two months their first year. I have fed them almost constantly since the end of August. First 2:1 then dry sugar after Thanksgiving. I gave them Megabee in late August, thinking that if they couldn't get nectar, they couldn't get pollen either, but they didn't take to it at all.
As of 1-18-10 the cluster seems to be slightly smaller than a month ago but still covering 6 frames. I didn't dare examine any frames because it was only 60 degrees but I did give them 2 more pounds of sugar (they've taken 5lbs total so far). I'm planning to add Megabee patties next week and maybe switch back to syrup (all local beeks agree it's still too early for anything but 2:1) depending on what the weatherman says.
IF this hive makes it through the spring how likely is she to decide to swarm? Especially if I expand with strips rather than foundation or drawn comb? For the record, the 3 who said "No" cite the dearth of stores and room to expand, the "Yes" votes think I may not notice an early buildup with some part Russian genetics.
Thanks in advance!