* 98 outside--are we in the South or is it the UP? Early this morning I "propped the tops" on the hives and opened the bottom of the topbar. Pictures show the bees hanging outside and fanning to stay cool and ripen the nectar
** Good ventilation and available clean water is important during heat like this. I use a regular bird bath with wood chips floating in it-they will use a gallon a day in heat like this.
*** I have contacted several members with swarms for them to catch--most have been successful. On one expedition, an adjoining neighbor had used fire(torch) to kill at least half of the swarm before being rescued by one of our beekeepers. We still have a lot of educating to do!
****The nectar flow is just starting to kick in. White sweet clover is out and knapweed(star thistle) is just starting. Make sure you try to stay ahead of their production with additional supers. I usually add new supers UNDER the 3/4 full one.
*****Take time to watch your bees. This is the "their season"--sit near and smell the nectar/honey as they prepare it for their and then our use.
****** Thanks to those that have contributed bear fence info,swarm stories,and called with swarm locations.
******* Had a great time at the Payant's camp near Ralph. What a great beeyard they have--so picturesque,safe,and just plain wonderful. They even let me go in to their hives-a great day.
******* As always email or call with any questions--I will do the best I can to respond.
** Good ventilation and available clean water is important during heat like this. I use a regular bird bath with wood chips floating in it-they will use a gallon a day in heat like this.
*** I have contacted several members with swarms for them to catch--most have been successful. On one expedition, an adjoining neighbor had used fire(torch) to kill at least half of the swarm before being rescued by one of our beekeepers. We still have a lot of educating to do!
****The nectar flow is just starting to kick in. White sweet clover is out and knapweed(star thistle) is just starting. Make sure you try to stay ahead of their production with additional supers. I usually add new supers UNDER the 3/4 full one.
*****Take time to watch your bees. This is the "their season"--sit near and smell the nectar/honey as they prepare it for their and then our use.
****** Thanks to those that have contributed bear fence info,swarm stories,and called with swarm locations.
******* Had a great time at the Payant's camp near Ralph. What a great beeyard they have--so picturesque,safe,and just plain wonderful. They even let me go in to their hives-a great day.
******* As always email or call with any questions--I will do the best I can to respond.
Hanging out in the hot weather
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Topbar heat relief
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