Recent Posts

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Is it Time Already?

« Last post by van from Arkansas on January 27, 2021, 05:59:41 pm »

Hops, crocus is our first bloom, in February with frost, but not enough for the bees as I have about 10 plants.  Winter Anconite??? I have to google that one.

Old Beavo, that is a good tip: drones represent a healthy, unstressed hive.

BEEBOY, Bob W.  You fellas still are killing me with envy,,, capped drone brood, 80F,,, in my dreams.  All I need is SawDust, Jim, to elicit a vocabulary of tropical weather like conditions and I moving.  Say no more, I am cold and wearing a down jacket with net heavy cap while you southern beeks in short sleeve and tanning oil taking care for surplus frames of honey, pic enclosed, due to active honeybees, more pics,  are most likely mowing your lawns then watering the garden.  My bees are still clustered, not even warm enough for elimination flights.  Not a crocus flower in sight, this end of January in N Arkansas.

OK, I ranted, thank you for putting up with me.  Seriously, I adore reading about the warm weather, active bees, pollen, flowers...

Signed; Mr. Chilly.

Add.  winter anconite:  looks like a good low bush flower for bees.  Hops, are all the blooms yellow?

Yes, they're all yellow.  They will slowly propagate themselves by seed.  I planted all mine as tubers.  They ain't a bush, but individual plants that like to grow close together.  I don't usually get more than a couple bees on them but last spring they were all over it.

👍

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Is it Time Already?

« Last post by van from Arkansas on January 27, 2021, 05:59:05 pm »

Gonna go thru mine on wed I?ll let you know on the drones, we normally start splits on Valentine?s Day so will see what happening in my side of florida

Well drones and capped drones in central Florida [ You are not allowed to view attachments ][ You are not allowed to view attachments ][ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Gorgeous pics of capped brood.  Enlightenment while I look outside at the pretty white stuff.  Thank you for the pics,

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Can Cold Temperatures With Excessive Ventilation Naturally Aid In Pest Control?

« Last post by Ben Framed on January 27, 2021, 05:33:05 pm »

I don't know about mites but shbs will just move to the center of the cluster when it gets cold and only die after the bees die and stop producing heat.  I have seen several deadouts with a hardball size area in the middle of the cluster that has each cell of the comb packed full of shbs.

In that case the beetles may have been deep inside. Thanks Cao. I will put a flat top on. then on the next warm day check  and see if there are beetles on top of this hive.  Good post Cao.   

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Can Cold Temperatures With Excessive Ventilation Naturally Aid In Pest Control?

« Last post by cao on January 27, 2021, 05:16:15 pm »

I don't know about mites but shbs will just move to the center of the cluster when it gets cold and only die after the bees die and stop producing heat.  I have seen several deadouts with a hardball size area in the middle of the cluster that has each cell of the comb packed full of shbs.

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Is it Time Already?

« Last post by Ben Framed on January 27, 2021, 04:46:05 pm »

Gonna go thru mine on wed I?ll let you know on the drones, we normally start splits on Valentine?s Day so will see what happening in my side of florida

Well drones and capped drones in central Florida [ You are not allowed to view attachments ][ You are not allowed to view attachments ][ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Nice!!!  What are your temperatures?

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Is it Time Already?

« Last post by jtcmedic on January 27, 2021, 04:22:45 pm »

Gonna go thru mine on wed I?ll let you know on the drones, we normally start splits on Valentine?s Day so will see what happening in my side of florida

Well drones and capped drones in central Florida [ You are not allowed to view attachments ][ You are not allowed to view attachments ][ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Can Cold Temperatures With Excessive Ventilation Naturally Aid In Pest Control?

« Last post by Ben Framed on January 27, 2021, 03:51:34 pm »

Thinking out loud; My feet are really getting cold on this. Since the bees have done so well and February brood build up is almost upon us, I may go ahead and change tops, dropping the experiment completely, counting my blessings. IF inside temperature can be a factor then Nature has already done its job.

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Can Cold Temperatures With Excessive Ventilation Naturally Aid In Pest Control?

« Last post by Ben Framed on January 27, 2021, 03:27:42 pm »

I think something to keep in mind about ventilation is that its primary goal is to remove moisture from the hive.  Without top ventilation, my colonies would have water dripping on them all through the winter, which certainly wouldn't be good.  I wonder if that was a factor in your recent findings.  Do the beetles (and/or other pests) prefer a more humid environment?  I'm not sure, but it could be a factor as well.   

Good question and comment.

Adding, on some of my hives I have holes drilled in the sides for a little ventilation. Don the fat beeman recommends this. Our friend Paus uses sawdust to catch moisture in his hive tops if I remember correctly. (That or a blanket) However the warped top escape of heat is the strange twist to this situation of yesterday. Honestly member I have wondered if the bees would make it this far. I am also concerned that they will be at an disadvantage in early brood build up and early reproduction. We shall soon know more of this experiment and results. Winter is not over by a long shot in my area. 

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Follow the bloom 2021

« Last post by Ben Framed on January 27, 2021, 03:24:43 pm »

I agree Member! You two hold a special place for me here at beemaster since we three started posting here about the same time..  My classmates lol....

It's true!  The only problem with that metaphor is that one can never graduate from beekeeping!    There's always more to learn. 

Totally agree and well said!!  Adding an Amen!
 

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Can Cold Temperatures With Excessive Ventilation Naturally Aid In Pest Control?

« Last post by The15thMember on January 27, 2021, 03:24:13 pm »

I think something to keep in mind about ventilation is that its primary goal is to remove moisture from the hive.  Without top ventilation, my colonies would have water dripping on them all through the winter, which certainly wouldn't be good.  I wonder if that was a factor in your recent findings.  Do the beetles (and/or other pests) prefer a more humid environment?  I'm not sure, but it could be a factor as well.