I'm a relatively new beekeeper from Southeastern Wisconsin. I purchases some land about a year ago and got the itch to try beekeeping. This spring I bought 3 packages and installed them. Despite all my efforts to the contrary, all three colonies are currently still alive (knock on wood). I made quite a few mistakes this first year but think I learned quite a bit. I plan on getting some more packages this spring and expanding my apiary.
I found this forum and figured I'd sign on and introduce myself. Thanks.
Welcome aboard!
Scott
have a emergency feed program ready before you need it. Weather up here in the midwest this fall wasn't ideal. They burned through alot of stores on those high 40s/ low 50 days with nothing to collect on the dead brown country sides. You can make of buy candy boards or blocks or a block of fondant to cut into slabs. Come Feb on a windless, sunny day pop the cover and take a quick peek. If you find the cluster right at the top under the cover you'll need to act ASAP. They could die in just a couple of days. Some move frames from the outside in next to the cluster but up here its usually still to cold to have the hive open long enough. You'll most likely need a spacer for each colony also to make room for the food
Thanks for the advice. I already made a fondant sheet for each hive which is on the hives and was thinking about making a bunch more this weekend. I'm trying to monitor things because I am fearful they will run out of stock.
not much time to monitor left. Ideally the cluster will now be on in the center of the bottom box with a full box of honey above. Come Jan opening the cover wont be possible. I use a stethoscope and if I hear them I leave them alone. If I hear nothing I give the hive a couple of knocks then listen. If it still quiet I open it. They are most likely dead. I get these out of the field as quick as possible. There is always missed honey on a starved colony. sometimes alot on the outside frames both top and bottom. I use it for emergency feed and splits in spring
Welcome to the site! Larry
Welcome to the forum.
Welcome fellow cheese head. I hope your not a bear fan.
Good luck with the bees!
Quote from: danno on December 09, 2011, 04:44:03 PM
...I use a stethoscope and if I hear them I leave them alone...
That sounds like a novel idea. I like it. :)
:bee: Welcome tsk!
Please be sure to share your learnings, as there are many of us new beeks getting into the hobby and we can learn so much from each other.
Greetings from the North Coast.
Welcome to the site!
Shouldn't you find out if someone is a Bear's fan before you welcome them?
Quote from: bee-nuts on December 10, 2011, 05:27:32 AM
Welcome fellow cheese head. I hope your not a bear fan.