Notes for July 21 & 22

July 21, 2011

Low 70’s, overcast with sprinkles today. Visited with Ken today; he had some improvements we want to try on my hive, including an attic feeder, roof storm holders, and a way to secure the sticky board. He also had wider bars to be used for honey combs—1.5” rather than the 1.25” originally provided for this TBH. We had installed ¼” spacers to widen the honey comb bars but I removed them after talking with Jerry in Alaska because he said cross combing happens when there is too much space between bars. Most TBH experts indicate a 1.5” bar is best for honey comb; we will try it.

Ken suggested that the bees in my hive had swarmed while I was away—I wondered about that since 1) there was no progress on drawing comb during those three weeks; 2) less bees seemed to be on B10 and other bars; 3) I could not find new brood cells; and 4) back to those queen cells that I thought were “wannabees”. So, maybe that is what happened—and if so, that is fine…I’m a bee guardian, not a honey harvester, which I keep reminding myself (although the prospect of getting honey is pretty neat). However, if that is the case, the remaining bees need to gear up to have enough honey to winter over. Ken also thought I should begin feeding sugar now in order for the bees to be as productive as possible as they prepare honey stores for winter. Although we have lots of flowers blooming in the yard, bloom is down from previous years, and we have bee competition from the commercial operation a few miles away. I agreed to begin feeding now and placed 1/8 cup each of sugar (dampened per M. Bush info) and water in the attic space this morning. If bees want/need it, they’ll use it.

Ken built a tray for an ‘attic’ feeding system where one puts white sugar and water in the attic; sides need to be cut down to fit under the roof of my hive so no shown in the picture below. The ¾” spacer is left out so bees can access the attic area; I will suggest that he reduce the size of the opening to ½” x 1” by cutting a slot out of the spacer to conserve hive heat rather than having the full width of the hive open. Several bees would be able to pass in an opening that size. Later…Ken improved on the 1” slot idea and drilled three holes in a 1” spacer; holes can be plugged with corks as needed; installed today.

Sugar can also be placed on the bottom/sticky board, which is closed tight with the new securing system. Ants were a problem with the syrup feeding during early spring; I’ll watch to see what happens with the sugar in the attic. 

Ken has been busy while I was away…besides building a “harvester” TBH, he is beveling the top side of the bars so it will be easier to pry them apart when sealed with propolis; that has been an issue for me so I look forward to seeing how that works. Replaced B13, B14, and B15 with new 1.5” beveled bars which also have a larger angle for bees to attach comb. Will insert a new 1.25” beveled, larger angle bar into brood area at B2 or B3 or replace one of those brood combs tomorrow or whenever weather clears and heats up a bit. After a week will check the progress on that one bar and add others as I feel indicated from the results—expect an update on that!

Today I snugged the sticky board against the bottom of the hive, sealing that as an entrance point. Almost immediately the worker bees returning to the hive flew directly into the side entrances whereas the drones wandered along the bottom searching for a way to get in. Eventually drones found the regular entrances; wonder what they’ll do tomorrow.

I love that Ken is working with me as he considers new ideas and develops all sorts of improvements for us to try. I’ve needed something new and challenging to learn.

July 22, 2011

Weather in low 70’s at noon with a blue sky 50% covered by cumulus clouds with a light breeze--a perfect day for bees to forage and for me to work in the yard. As I did, I contemplated the things that have changed in my gardening life since I’ve become a bee guardian… Many weeds are now “wild flowers” which get pulled after bloom and just before the seeds mature; clover in the lawn is now lovely and not something to wrestle with although morning glory still gets plucked and tossed as soon as it is recognized; ants and other miniature creatures are admired rather than tolerated. Almost every time I’m outside there’s a quick detour by the hive…so peaceful and refreshing to see the bees going and returning, to hear the quiet contented buzzing inside the hive, and to smell the sweet aroma surrounding the hive. Life is good here.

And I once again have to concede that those bees know what’s better for them than I do!! Usually I do not have reading glasses outside and today was no exception; however, I strained my eyes a bit to look for pollen on those little bee legs. And yes, a good portion were carrying dark pollen back to the hive—gray, brown, dark beige—hard to see unless one expects it. Having just read that pollen comes in many colors, including the usual yellow, gold and orange, I know now to look for blue, purple, red, black, brown, and more of the darker colors. So the next time I look in the hive I fully expect to see brood cells, pollen cells, nectar cells, capped cells, etc. and to get pictures of each comb if all goes as planned. Also, Jody suggested we use a magnifying glass to see eggs at hive check...apparently not only aging eyes have trouble seeing those tiny specks.

Looked at the sugar feeding in the attic—no bees (or ants) there and it doesn’t appear to have been touched. Will check each day for a week and then remove and plug the access hole until food is needed in the fall and/or winter. My plan is that the bees will store enough honey to get them through the winter with excess for harvest next spring; I hope the bees have the same plan.

At last a few days of summer-type weather are predicted so the next intensive hive check will probably be this weekend.