Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

I know there is already a poll asking how many hives you lost, but if you have 5 hives and lost 3 it's a lot different than if you have 50 hives and lost 3.

None

big old Zero!

6 for 6, lost none.

David,

If beekeeper a has 10 hives and treats, and has a loss of 10%, while beekeeper B who does not treat has 10 hives and loses 20%, and both report nothing more than the numbers, what did you really learn?

Myself, I do not treat and do not feed most of my hives. Mother nature, being my best employee, is expected to cull out the weakest colonies for me. She not only takes out the ones not able to cope with mites, but also those that are not good honey collectors, those not programmed to raise fall brood, and those not able program themselves to the full seasons or adjust to the nectar flows.

So, while I may suggest I lost 25% this year of my full size hives, I expect it, and have built my operation that the weakest bees get taken out of the mix. My bees are better for it.

I could, as most people could, baby through a few hives sitting out the back door. I could feed them, treat them, and visit weekly, ensuring that I do not even miss a fall failing queen. And when I report 0% loss.....what does that mean? Is that the same as a guy with 500?

Ironically, this year, it looks like my full size hives and nucs did about the same. The past three years I have had 16, 25, what looks to be about something in the low to mid 20% again this year.

Some yards lost 60% while other lost none at all. So even bees managed by the same beekeeper with the same stock, can be influenced by just the yard location.

I am not crapping on the poll. Just perhaps giving some insight to those new beekeepers who have a habit of comparing their losses to other beekeepers strictly based on a number. Numbers tell little....without the "rest of the story". No use banging your head against the wall thinking you did poorly compared to others, when you really know nothing about the other operations.

QuoteMyself, I do not treat and do not feed most of my hives. Mother nature, being my best employee, is expected to cull out the weakest colonies for me. She not only takes out the ones not able to cope with mites, but also those that are not good honey collectors, those not programmed to raise fall brood, and those not able program themselves to the full seasons or adjust to the nectar flows.

So, while I may suggest I lost 25% this year of my full size hives, I expect it, and have built my operation that the weakest bees get taken out of the mix. My bees are better for it.

exactly.

thank you,

Big Bear

I had 2 hives. At the end of winter the queen had died in one hive and so I combined the bees from that hive with another. So I have half as many hives but I didn't loose all the bees.

Quote from: BjornBee on March 23, 2010, 08:23:42 AM


I am not crapping on the poll. Just perhaps giving some insight to those new beekeepers who have a habit of comparing their losses to other beekeepers strictly based on a number. Numbers tell little....without the "rest of the story". No use banging your head against the wall thinking you did poorly compared to others, when you really know nothing about the other operations.

I agree that a poll like this is not at all "scientific"  It's kind of like if you were at a beek meeting and asked for a show of hands about losses.   Only at least then everyone would probably be from the same area at least.   It does seem to indicate that "among responders" the bulk of losses were below 50%, but that about half of those who took the poll had some losses.   So while not scientific, the moral seems to be to plan on having some losses by having a few extra hives going into winter.  Nothing astounding I know.

I lost roughly 14% this past winter, treatment free.


...JP

Didn't lose any - just have two hives.

Had 4 lost 1. Treatment free.

Lost 6 of 12 this winter.

Lost 2 of 6, treatment free. 

SH

100% :oops: :'(