The Honey Factory

[duluthralphie]

I did. There are always multiple different varieties of bees in the packages that I get.

Did you notice the holes in his gloves? If that had been you with those gloves, your hands would be swelling up.

I did notice and was surprised the bees didn’t rush through it and eat him alive.

You would think a bee expert could afford a pair of gloves without holes.

 

[duluthralphie]

Those are bees that probably came off of a pollination contract with poor brood patterns, old diseased combs, bees with short abdomens (diseased), synthetic chemical mite strips, covered with pesticide resistant mites. Then a mass produced queen that isn't mated or raised well is added. And thats why so many packages fail the first year.

A tad critical today?

 

[Apis mellifera]

A tad critical today?

LOL, but they are some nasty looking hives!

 

[R2elk]

I haven't seen much activity from the Saskatraz hive. The Italian hive has bees out flying whenever it is in the upper 30°F area.

Today I peeked in and pulled one frame from the upper hive body of the Saskatraz. There is still lots of honey in the upper body. There are also lots of live bees in the lower body. Looks like they will survive the winter.

I was kind of hoping they wouldn't so I could replace them with a hive of Russians.

For the first time that I know of there are going to be nucs available for pick up in Casper. I already have a package of Italians on order to replace the hive that never made it last year.

 

[R2elk]

49⁰F out. Looks like a healthy hive to me.

 

[duluthralphie]

My bees were out today. But it was barely above freezing.

 

[R2elk]

My bees were out today. But it was barely above freezing.

It got up to 50°F today. Even the Saskatraz were flying.

 

[duluthralphie]

It got up to 50°F today. Even the Saskatraz were flying.

These are my Saskatraz

 

[R2elk]

It's 55°F out now.
The good Italian hive.

The Saskatraz hive.

The supposedly empty hive.

 

[duluthralphie]

t's 55°F out now.
The good Italian hive.
View attachment 2992930View attachment 2992931
The Saskatraz hive.
View attachment 2992932
The supposedly empty hive.
View attachment 2992933

That gives me hope!