April 5th--bees packages arrived
April 9th-- Indoor hiving video done
April 15th- Put the four nucs in the hive house
If you haven't seen the video, take a look and let me know of any questions that come to mind.
** A final go through of the remaining "deadouts" from the past winter, revealed more mites. In at least one hive, almost no mite evidence and lots of food. This is the one I was concerned about the pesticides weakening from last summer. Not that it makes a difference, but it was next to the hive that was definitely a pesticide victim last summer. Nothing definitive-I am not sending bees in for testing. No evidence of other issues, lots of honey, a robust fall hive, and a mild winter--"go figure".
*** More bees are coming from Tom Nebel this week sometime. Some Buckfast & Russians this time. I sure hope to just do a regular cold weather outdoor hiving.
**** Unless a large change occurs, Flowers may start blooming early. Already:
2015 2016
Alder April 14 April 5
Spring Beauty May 29 April 21
Maples look to be early also.
***** Keep your eye on the feed for your bees. Make sure they have it available at all times-especially your new hives that don't have good honey and pollen stores.