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Post by James on Apr 24, 2017 23:44:47 GMT -5
Releasing the queen to the new package.
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Post by martywny on Apr 25, 2017 7:00:32 GMT -5
Releasing the queen to the new package. James the sure sign of spring! My first nuc is about two weeks out and getting the hive ready this week. Good luck!
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Post by James on May 12, 2017 17:53:32 GMT -5
I don't know what is up with the dandelions this season. They bloom and bloom, but the bees are not on them. Weird!
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Post by James on May 18, 2017 11:32:43 GMT -5
Yesterday 5 inches of snow. Its melting this morning, but only 37 degrees and no bees flying. I am hoping it will warm up enough for the bees to come out for a cleansing flight.
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canadiyank
Blooming
Central WA, Zone 6B
Posts: 125
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Post by canadiyank on Jun 16, 2017 23:35:28 GMT -5
Ordered two packages this year, I've never done that before. It was a hassle getting them, I'll never do business with that guy again. Grr!
Anyway, one has a dud queen...drone-layer. Of course, the dude doesn't guarantee the queens. So my FIL is coming up tomorrow a.m. with bees he cut out from a wine barrel...we'll kill the drone-layer and combine them. My other package is doing pretty well, hoping for a successful season all-around.
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Post by brownrexx on Jun 17, 2017 8:38:56 GMT -5
hoping for a successful season all-around. I wish that I could have shared some of our swarms with you. Everyone in my area was having multiple swarms due to the warmer than usual winter. I am glad to hear that you are keeping bees. Good luck.
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canadiyank
Blooming
Central WA, Zone 6B
Posts: 125
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Post by canadiyank on Jun 17, 2017 22:48:15 GMT -5
Thanks! I've done swarms and cut-outs before, but never packaged bees. My FIL brought up a swarm today for me and we combined it with my languishing colony, after dispatching Queen Dud. Not positive this swarm is queenright but guess we'll find out!
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Post by James on Jul 6, 2017 11:35:40 GMT -5
Photobucket is on the fritz, so my pictures are no longer showing up. Guess its time to look for a new photo hosting site? OK off that rant, back to bees.
My bees are flying. Nice warm sunny day. Clover is blooming in the lawn, but the bees don't seem interested in it. Must be something better around? I have not added supers yet.
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Post by James on Sept 28, 2017 13:37:30 GMT -5
"James, I've been wondering how you protect your hives during the winter."
Wintering bees in this cold country is a shot in the dark. You might medicate them and treat for mites, then make sure they have stores, and I always drill a 5/8 inch hole in the top box so they have an entrance in case the bottom entrance gets clogged up with leaves or snow. Then you just wish them luck and go in the house and turn on the TV. I do not wrap the hives nor try to add insulation. In my experience I can say that no matter how hard you try to get them ready for winter, they are likely to die anyway. I have lost from all to none. One just doesn't know till spring.
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