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First of the year, likely last one of career. I couldn't carry it to the truck in a 10 frame hive. My health is too far gone.

OH, but they feel soooo good when they quit hurting.

Keep in mind, it's not the official temp, nor the temp in your back yard. It's the temp at the hive entrance. On a sunny day, that can be 10 degrees above the official temp.

The magic number is 55. They may go out anywhere above that.

Another thought... Beez Needz rents one for 25.00 for the day. You can get your extracting done, then buy one like it next year if you like it.

I agree with Reedyfork, but another idea is feed until you install your honey super. Liquid when warm enough, solid when cold.

If you know your honeyflow dates, I would requeen about 3 weeks before. If not, I would requeen in July or August.
Before is to be broodless during the first month of honeyflow.
After is to reduce hive numbers during the summer dearth.

Plum trees, pear trees, other fruit trees are in full bloom. Also strawberries and whatever else is around. I am seeing lots of different blooms.

Kill the queen, shake all bees out 10 feet in front of the strong hive. Place empty hive on top the strong hive. If more than one box on the weak hive, spray the empty box frames with B401, or substitute. It would be a good idea to spray all frames with B401 or sub.

I second Reedy's idea. Then split in March or April when you have swarm cells, if you want 2 or more hives.

I saw red maple yesterday in full bloom. If your bees are bringing in grayish to green pollen, it is red maple.

Time to start grafting........

Keep in mind, anytime you are feeding pollen sub, never feed more then 3 to 4 day supply. Always check it every 3 days or so for SHB eggs. They can lay, hatch, and cause damage in 6 to 8 days.

Thank you. The pink pages are a source of info that needs to stay alive and up front for all beeks.

The bee's spring begins today at 4:48 PM EST today, winter solstice. The queen will begin to ramp up the population shortly. That means the food supply will be attacked by more and more mouths until the flowers bloom. Keep an eye on the weight of your hives and feed when needed. Most hives die of st...

Pack some boric acid into the corrugations to be sure they don't come back out.

This is just a guess, but I would think the two outer frames would remain the same, for storage and insulation, and the brood nest would be reduced by two frames in the middle.

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for wo...

Both under and over supering are acceptable. You checkerboard a couple of open brood frames when adding brood frame foundation, but honey supers are unnecessary.

This time of year, I carry a nuc box, a 10 frame hive, and a step ladder on my truck, just in case I have an easy call. Yesterday, I went out to go somewhere and noticed several bees on the landing board of the 10 frame hive. I lifted the lid, and sure enough, I had about 4 frames of bee. MY KIND OF...