Last Year I Started Beekeeping - So Exciting

[Happy Chooks]

Thanks Blarney. We were worried for a bit about the fire, as the terrain in the canyon makes it really difficult for them to fight it. It's 50% contained this morning - so they are making good progress on getting it out.

Sorry about your hive. Are you going to be able to get a queen going this late in the year?

I haven't had a chance to open mine yet and check. They were all clumped up the other night at the entrance, but it was very hot, so I think they were just cooling the hive.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Happy Chooks: How goes it with the fire?

and Yes, a beek we know and is within 1/2 hr is selling queens for $25. But DH called the guy we got the split from and his advice was to wait n see. Well we waited and saw, and there is STILL no queen AND no eggs. Today DH is going to our guy and picking up another 5 frames with a queen and instructions on how to integrate what remains of the first split and the new 5 frames.

Here's Hoping!!

 

[Happy Chooks]

The fire is 75% contained now and the fire line is holding. We've had a string of cool weather (and rain this morning) that is helping them put it out. Thanks for asking.

I need to check on my hive today - I noticed last night there were bees around the entrance on the screened bottom board, but they weren't moving much. The last time I checked, the colony had grown considerably and looked strong. Maybe just the strange cool weather throwing them off.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

So I'm hearing that THIS is normal? Why aren't they inside?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Yes, I've seen it on my hive too. From what I understand, they do this when they are hot.

 

[sgtmom52]

Bees bearding on the outside is perfectly normal during hot weather. This time of year there are usually a lot of bees in the hive which increases the heat inside.
You can help cool the hive and increase ventilation by putting a couple of small blocks of wood (about the size of a queen cage) between the inner and outer covers in the front of the hive. I keep the blocks in my stronger hives most of the summer. A hive that is too hot and lacks proper ventilation can swarm as a result.

So I'm hearing that THIS is normal? Why aren't they inside?

 

[chigger bait]

Screened Bottom Boards and vented attics under the hive covers will help.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Thank you all so much for your responses.

DH seems to think a queen excluder is not necessary on the 3rd medium before the fourth medium is added. I'm disagreeing with him, but I'm not really sure. Are we putting the queen excluder on? Or waiting until next year? DH says 'they're only putting honey up there anyway'. I sure don't want any brood in my honey.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Thank you all so much for your responses.

DH seems to think a queen excluder is not necessary on the 3rd medium before the fourth medium is added. I'm disagreeing with him, but I'm not really sure. Are we putting the queen excluder on? Or waiting until next year? DH says 'they're only putting honey up there anyway'. I sure don't want any brood in my honey.

I added my 2nd box a while back and they were only storing honey in it for about a month or so. The queen was in the bottom box. I opened my hive up yesterday and the queen had moved up into the 2nd box.

I'm still learning here too, but I plan on using an excluder next year. This year, everything is being left for the bees.

 

[madamwlf]

Question for the bee experts. I'm hoping someone can help identify a flying insect we have building a nest under our steps. It's smaller then a honey bee but it almost looks like a bee except it doesn't look "hairy" like a honey bee. We've got concrete front steps and have been noticing these going in and out from under them. I've not been able to find anything on the internet about what they possibly could be. Anyone have an idea what they could be?