My daughter Cassandra and I went into the hives today (25th). It took a while for the bees to get out as it was only 35 degrees this morning. We waited until 2:00 (68 and sunny) so the bees would be out and about. We were specifically checking on the honey stores and doing mite counts.
HONEY
* Not much!!
* Will take some soon but will be leaving plenty for winter.
* Cool wet summer--at least in my area, is not ideal for honey.
MITES
* The Yard "regular hives" were mite free with one exception--it had Less than 1/100. Treatment is not suggested at less than 3/100.
* The Hive House had anywhere from 6/100 to 10/100 in each. Without treatment these will most likely not make it through the winter.
* Cassandra's second year hive "wins the prize" at 12/100.
Will let the pictures do the talking.
HONEY
* Not much!!
* Will take some soon but will be leaving plenty for winter.
* Cool wet summer--at least in my area, is not ideal for honey.
MITES
* The Yard "regular hives" were mite free with one exception--it had Less than 1/100. Treatment is not suggested at less than 3/100.
* The Hive House had anywhere from 6/100 to 10/100 in each. Without treatment these will most likely not make it through the winter.
* Cassandra's second year hive "wins the prize" at 12/100.
Will let the pictures do the talking.
My Grandson "smoker boy" helps out.
About 300 bees in a screened top jar and a "precise" 2tbls. of powdered sugar.
Roll and distribute the powdered sugar until the bees are coated.
Shake to get the dislodged mites to fall into the container
Put the bees back in the hive to be cleaned by their sisters.
Count the small red dots -- mites.
A closeup of one of the little darlins
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