Seven members of the society attended the session on a relatively cool and dry day at the apiary.The objectives for this session were: Inspection of Hives 10, 8 and 5; Check supers to estimate harvesting schedule; start a varroa count; and reduce hive entrances as we see the increase of wasps and hornets at the apiary site. They removal of the honey crop was advertised, however this will be scheduled later, foraging is continuing although it now appears to be reducing.
Hive 8 was the first inspection and the queen was seen. There was Brood in all stages over three frames and building of honey and pollen on five others. The bees were calm and seem to be building in strength. There is no super on this hive. A varroa tray was placed on the hive and the entrance was reduced
Hive 5 the queen was seen and there was Brood in all stages. There were a number of dead drones on the upper side of queen excluder, but the colony was otherwise quite strong and healthy. The bees were very calm. There are two supers, one almost full of sealed brood, the remainder only a couple of frames of honey. A varroa tray was placed on the hive and the entrance was reduced
Hive 10 the queen was not seen, and had not been seen for some time. The inspection of 4/7/18 indicated brood in all stages, but now there was only sealed brood, no larvae or eggs. There were four supers, three of which were almost full of sealed honey, but the remaining one little activity, it was removed. It was begging to look queen less and if that was the case, the brood was not in a position to create an emergency queen. A frame of brood in the egg/larvae stage was moved form Hive 7 into this hive and it will be inspected next Friday. A varroa tray was placed on the hive but the entrance was not reduced as the floor configuration would not allow.
Hive 9 needed a change in the floor to allow the placing of a varroa tray, and the entrance was reduced.
With the exception of Hive 4, we had inspected all the hives, and they are strong or growing, but the issue of hive 10 will need to be monitored. Hive 4 was seen four days ago and is making good progress.
Many thanks to all attendees, everyone engaged in all the main and support activity and additionally to clive for the photography.
Ken
With the exception of Hive 4, we had inspected all the hives, and they are strong or growing, but the issue of hive 10 will need to be monitored. Hive 4 was seen four days ago and is making good progress.
Many thanks to all attendees, everyone engaged in all the main and support activity and additionally to clive for the photography.
Ken