Newbie seeking advice
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 8:56 am
Hi,
I started my first (single) hive last spring. During the late Fall I was vigorously feeding them so that going into Winter, I had two deeps with brood/pollen/nectar and two mediums mostly full of (I suspect) capped syrup. I also tasted some and was very clear and nearly flavorless.
The bees were flourishing all season, building and filling the new comb throughout this hive. Also, I was monitoring for mites and unfortunately also had a 'healthy' population in the Fall ~10/100 I applied one pair of MAQS - though probably too little/too late.
In any case, the hive died sometime between mid-December and mid-January. I estimated about 2000 dead bees on the bottom board, head-in-cell, and a couple partially uncapped. No obvious deformed wing virus.
My explanation was that this was likely due to a combination of mites causing too small of a cluster which got too cold and was unable to reach the stores nearby.
My questions:
1) I'm planning on managing for mites much more vigorously this year. Scientific Beekeeping, and others, recommend rotating through a set of treatments so that the mites are reduced and without giving them a chance to adapt to the treatments, and not affecting the honey in the supers. Can anyone recommend a treatment/management calendar that has worked well for you in this region of the state?
2) Last season's bees were from a package of Hygienic Italians. This season I've ordered Carniolans. Is there anything significant that I should prepare for with this package?
3) Are there any recommendations as the best way to mark the queen prior to installing her. I had a terrible time finding her last season. I'm not sure how best to grab her and hold her down for marking before I introduce her into the hive.
4) I have two full mediums of mostly capped syrup. What's the best way to use that up so that I can transition those mediums to pure (or at least mostly) honey?
If this Spring is anything like last season, they 'may' consume most of it before June, but perhaps not.
5) What hive configuration should I use when introducing the new package?
a) Full hive as it currently stands 2 deeps, 2 full mediums
b) 1 deep, no medium
c) other?
Thanks in advance for any advice,
Sincerely,
David
I started my first (single) hive last spring. During the late Fall I was vigorously feeding them so that going into Winter, I had two deeps with brood/pollen/nectar and two mediums mostly full of (I suspect) capped syrup. I also tasted some and was very clear and nearly flavorless.
The bees were flourishing all season, building and filling the new comb throughout this hive. Also, I was monitoring for mites and unfortunately also had a 'healthy' population in the Fall ~10/100 I applied one pair of MAQS - though probably too little/too late.
In any case, the hive died sometime between mid-December and mid-January. I estimated about 2000 dead bees on the bottom board, head-in-cell, and a couple partially uncapped. No obvious deformed wing virus.
My explanation was that this was likely due to a combination of mites causing too small of a cluster which got too cold and was unable to reach the stores nearby.
My questions:
1) I'm planning on managing for mites much more vigorously this year. Scientific Beekeeping, and others, recommend rotating through a set of treatments so that the mites are reduced and without giving them a chance to adapt to the treatments, and not affecting the honey in the supers. Can anyone recommend a treatment/management calendar that has worked well for you in this region of the state?
2) Last season's bees were from a package of Hygienic Italians. This season I've ordered Carniolans. Is there anything significant that I should prepare for with this package?
3) Are there any recommendations as the best way to mark the queen prior to installing her. I had a terrible time finding her last season. I'm not sure how best to grab her and hold her down for marking before I introduce her into the hive.
4) I have two full mediums of mostly capped syrup. What's the best way to use that up so that I can transition those mediums to pure (or at least mostly) honey?
If this Spring is anything like last season, they 'may' consume most of it before June, but perhaps not.
5) What hive configuration should I use when introducing the new package?
a) Full hive as it currently stands 2 deeps, 2 full mediums
b) 1 deep, no medium
c) other?
Thanks in advance for any advice,
Sincerely,
David