Of Wintering and Neglect

Started by thomashton, October 15, 2009, 12:42:32 PM

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thomashton

October 15, 2009, 12:42:32 PM
Hi all. Been a while since I've been here. Don't know if I have a question, more of a, "listen to my issues" kind of post.

I've been basically gone the entire year with the Army. Literally since January. Bees left to their own devices. I did get home and once in early July was able to do an inspection on my two hives. Both looked good and each had/has 4 mediums on them. Then I was gone again. I came home two weeks ago after breaking my leg on a parachute jump and started thinking about the bees again. They haven't been fed up, but then again, I haven't taken any honey. They haven't been treated for mites, but then again, I didn't see any sign of it in July. I think right now I'll just let them be and let them enjoy the winter here. They should have plenty of food to get through the winter--loads of alfalfa fields around here that the farmers often don't cut before flowering. They're still flying in limited numbers as we are consistently in the 50s now and not much warmer. I guess we'll just see in early spring how they're doing.
After 18 months of reading and preparation, my girls finally arrived on April 11th (2006)!

iddee

#1
October 15, 2009, 01:52:22 PM
The only thing I would suggest is lift the back of the hive about two inches. That will tell you if they are close to full, or nearly empty.

Sorry to hear about your leg, but at least it got you home.  :roll:

Welcome back........
"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me . . . Anything can happen, child. Anything can be"

*Shel Silverstein*

contactme_11

#2
October 16, 2009, 11:02:26 AM
If you think they have enough stores and you didn't see any mites in July than you're probably ok. One thing you should remember though is if you are leaving honey supers on for food, make sure you don't have any queens excluders.

Tucker1

#3
October 16, 2009, 11:47:24 AM
Welcome back !!  We appreciate your service in our behalf.  Have a speedy recovery.
He who would gather honey must bear the sting of the bees.

Cindi

#4
October 16, 2009, 11:49:14 AM
Thomas, wow, you've been gone a long time, a warm welcome back.  Sorry to hear of your leg.  I would just let the bees be.  You will find out in the spring how they made out and it would be an interesting experiment to see that outcome, but I still say, good luck, smiling.  Have that most wonderful and awesomely great day, health.  Cindi
There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.  The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold.  The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee.  Robert Service

thomashton

#5
October 16, 2009, 07:50:08 PM
Thanks guys. It's good to be back. It's funny how a "weekend a month and two weeks per year" turns a Guardsman like me into more than 7 months away of the first 9 months of the year. Actually, thanks to the broken leg, this is the first time in two years I don't have a mission, exercise, Army training school, etc. planned at all. Open schedule. My family and civilian employers are happy for the mixed blessing. I am happy that it isn't too bad and I'll be back jumping again in 3 months or so.

I used a queen excluder on one hive about 3 years ago and never have used them again, so I should be fine there. I think all in all the girls will be fine. Been beautiful today--65 degrees F. I'll go see how many are out flying.
After 18 months of reading and preparation, my girls finally arrived on April 11th (2006)!

weBEE Jammin

#6
October 18, 2009, 11:18:41 PM
Welcome back! Bees are good at taking care of themselves once you've started them.
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