The Honey Factory

[Apis mellifera]

View attachment 2367227

It's not finished but it's so exciting to see it coming together! I got my screened bottom board and bolted on legs. It's a sturdy beast for sure! I hope the Squatch bees love it. Now if they will live through the winter I can split my Squatch hive in the spring! If not, I guess I know where I can buy more...

Nice Job! Do you have an insert/tray that slides in below the screened bottom?

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Nice Job! Do you have an insert/tray that slides in below the screened bottom?

Not yet. He hasn't finished it but the plan is to make some kind of cover for the screen from the outside bottom.

 

[duluthralphie]

I have one hive- the nice bees- nearly ready for winter. I opened the cover and removed feeders and put in moisture board.

Placed the winter cover on, scraped the dead bees out of the door and put the reducer in. One bee was alive that I scraped out. She flew for about a minute before crashing. She was slow and easy to avoid.

I need to wrap and put up windbreaks yet. I should get that Friday.

I need to make the nasty bees cover, yet.

 

[R2elk]

I built the framework for a windbreak in front of one of the hives today. I got clear polycarbonate to put on it so that it doesn't act as a shade.

 

[jerryse]

So today I moved my July hive . It is heavier than I thought . They may make through the winter . Need to move the May hive . Chilly days make moving easier .

 

[duluthralphie]

I put the insulation box on top the mean hive. I even drilled holes in the top supers and duct tape shut the others.

I had to move a bunch bees from the hole to tape it. Some refused to move. One found herself duct taped for the winter.

This afternoon there were a few dozen flying around the hive. Some where still trying to get in the old hole that’s taped shut. I did not see any use the top holes I drilled.

I don’t think they will make the winter, but they have no one to blame except themselves. I never got one drop of honey from them for rent.

 

[R2elk]

Mine have been out flying the last couple of days. The Italian hive tossed out quite a few dead bees after the -10°F night.

I did get the wind break put up in front of the Italian hive.

 

[duluthralphie]

Mine through a bunch of dead ones out the other day. I am guessing the drones are all gone.

I didn’t even wear a suit or wear gloves today. It was too chilly for them to chase me far when I did my stuff.

 

[R2elk]

Mine through a bunch of dead ones out the other day. I am guessing the drones are all gone.

I didn’t even wear a suit or wear gloves today. It was too chilly for them to chase me far when I did my stuff.

Mine haven't chased me at anytime. They are right in front of the coop. I walk within a foot of them multiple times daily.

 

[jerryse]

So I have watched videos about small cells being more mite resistant . Also hygienic traits and ankle biters . Since I like the idea of natural methods I find it interesting . I see Mann lake sells small cell foundation . They say small cells are hard for mites to infest . Brood hatches a couple days earlier on small cell . Disrupts the mite gestation also .