Tough spring for my backyard hive. Thought I'd let nature take its course but it did not turn out so well. A very strong hive swarmed. I intentionally let that happen rather than do a split. I assumed a good daughter would take up where her mother left off. The hive was very strong when the death of my own mom occured and I was distracted by grief, dealing with family issues, and executing the will.
Went on a much-needed vacation. Came home to find the hive severely depleted, no brood or stores, and we're in drought conditions now.
Started to feed them and BAM! the robbers came in wild, crazy, and overwhelming like a BLM/Antifa mob!
Shut down the entrance severely and fought the robbers with water spray for two days.
Went to the farm and borrowed two frames of brood with young larvae and eggs so that they could make a new queen, though I found one supersedure cell.
A member of the Lubbock club posted laying queens that he had replaced but had not pinched. He wanted $10 each. So, I got one and released her today after an overnight protective custody inside the hive.
The need for so much intervention now reveals the weakness of a previously held hippie philosophy, for which I repent!
Scripture says we have dominion over the earth, to fill the earth and subdue it. We are stewards and these magnificent creatures deserve better from me.
What else can I do now to help them recover from my foolishness?