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Post by gakaren on May 13, 2015 13:35:22 GMT -5
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Post by brownrexx on May 13, 2015 14:53:34 GMT -5
We lost 2 out of 4 hives, that's 50% for us. I was probably part of that survey because I filled out a questionnaire from Bee Partnership earlier this year.
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Post by oliverman on May 14, 2015 23:43:43 GMT -5
I sure haven't seen nearly the bumblebees I used to.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on May 15, 2015 13:46:21 GMT -5
I am seeing a few more bumblebees here and a little earlier and my sister told me she is seeing them around her place.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Oct 4, 2015 20:14:34 GMT -5
Did anyone hear that the WWF is considering making the honeybee endangered? I don't think it is yet official.
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Post by James on Nov 30, 2015 18:14:27 GMT -5
Years back there would be wild bees in holes in a rock or an old building, but you don't see that these days. The bee parasites and diseases we have now pretty well eliminate the bees if there is not a beekeeper to help them out.
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Post by James on Dec 24, 2016 12:25:00 GMT -5
I don't usually lose colonies in the summer. At times though some idiot will spray an alfalfa field when it is in bloom and kill the whole work force. The colonies survive, but there are no workers bringing in nectar, so there goes your honey crop.
Wintering bees here at 5000 ft elevation, in a mountain valley, is a tough proposition. It takes a 60 pound box of honey for their winter food. With honey at $6 per pound, it is more economical to rob the bees and buy new packages in the spring. 6X60=360. A package of bees is $90.
Even if all proper conditions are met for setting the bees up for wintering, you may lose them anyway. I have lost from all to none. Hey, losing bees is part of the game. If you are going to keep bees, just plan on it.
Why do you keep bees? For the honey? For pollination of your crops? Just for fun?
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Post by davidjp on Dec 25, 2016 15:37:16 GMT -5
Honeybees seem to be doing very well around here but i suspect most of them are managed but I do see the occasional feral colony as well. Here's one of mine doing a bit of Christmas morning foraging, its on my peas whether it was from foraging from the pea flowers I'm not sure. But judging from the color it's one of mine. Go Girl
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Post by brownrexx on Dec 25, 2016 16:26:06 GMT -5
Nice photo davidjpOur bees are out today as well since it's almost 50 degrees but there is nothing to forage so they are just taking cleansing flights and looking for water so I put out a saucer of water where I saw they congregating on the ground near a small melting snow pile.
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Post by OregonRed on Dec 26, 2016 12:14:10 GMT -5
what a photo!
:-[
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Post by James on Dec 30, 2016 11:26:39 GMT -5
Yes, nice photo!
Today, 9 degrees F and a foot of snow on the ground. No bees flying today.
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Post by James on Mar 27, 2017 8:46:45 GMT -5
21 colonies going into winter 3 made it. I have packages ordered. This morning 39 degrees and overcast. Don't know if it will get to 50 so the bees can come out and fly. We will see?
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