Guilfordbeekeepers.org

Planned to check for queens next week. I feed early often, probably spilled some sugar water when inverting the jar feeders. Thanks for the tips.

All quiet on the Western Front yesterday.

Had 2 of 4 hive attacked by robbers yesterday. Both hives were strong and won their battles, fortunately. Maybe time to put on robber screens.

A person who has purchased a couple quarts of honey from me is looking for pollen, Anyone interested in selling him some?

How far away from your hives do you place the trap?

About how high was it? Did you use a pole bucket?

First swarm/capture today. Swarmed about 4:00 PM. Large 4+ lbs best guess.Pretty sure I got the queen, hope it is on the top side of the excluder.

Saw first drone near entrance today. This is the hive I was wishing would swarm about 10 days ago.

Bees are steadily working the Red Maple in my backyard today.

Have a Red Maple stating to bloom, no activity from the bees yet.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s5E1OK ... sp=sharing

Maybe just orientation/cleansing, did not see any drones this afternoon. The "cloud" outside the hive was much smaller today than before, may be cooler temps. Maybe longer than I think till swarm. I have had good luck catching swarms rather than splitting. Afraid to split this one as it is...

Hard for me to tell. Lots of activity outside the entrance, "cloud" of bees about 3' by 3' by 6' at various times. Haven't checked today yet. I'll see if I can tell more today.

Good news

The one strong hive I have remaining has large population and burr comb, I expect it to swarm in the next few days. Didn't go into the frames to check for brood.

I have had 4 of 6 this winter. Plenty of stores, suspect Queenless or mites. Few SHB. Have one strong , one weak remaining. Looks like strong is about to swarm, the next few days when it warms a bit.

Thanks for the offer to help.

You are right, my luck ran out. 4 of the six hives are dead. The two remaining are doing well, population wise. The four that died did not starve, all had large stores. Did not check for queens last fall so some may have not had good queens. I guess that leaves mites as the usual suspect.I used my w...

Thanks for the nudge on this thread. Think I'll plant some camellias this year. Sunday or Monday looks like good days to be hefting hives and feeding.

Thanks for the links. I am using 80 proof vodka and Oxalic. Never tried water or mineral oil. I'll keep trying this and let you know how it goes.

I do feel lucky.