Honey Smell in Apiary

GSF · December 28, 2016, 04:04:00 PM

In this one location I have around 20 hives. It's been warm, real warm. Christmas day was 80-82. We've had several days of very warm weather and the bees are flying. I've noticed a honey smell the last 2 or 3 days. I'm thinking they are uncapping and eating their stores? I don't remember ever smelling honey during the winter. Last December folks were having swarms.

divemaster1963 · December 28, 2016, 05:42:16 PM

just had one a week before christmas. hoping it turns cold soon or i may lose alot of my hives.

john

Acebird · December 28, 2016, 08:00:14 PM

If you extract honey the day after Christmas does it count?

BeeMaster2 · December 28, 2016, 08:04:05 PM

I lost one last week. After they left the other bees moved in and robbed a lot of honey. I found a lot of cut cappings piled up in the dry oil trays.
Jim

Acebird · December 28, 2016, 08:06:33 PM

Quote from: sawdstmakr on December 28, 2016, 08:04:05 PM
I lost one last week. After they left the other bees moved in and robbed a lot of honey. I found a lot of cut cappings piled up in the dry oil trays.
Jim

Jim, I don't understand the lost. If the honey moved to another hive where is the lose?

BeeMaster2 · December 28, 2016, 08:09:49 PM

Quote from: Acebird on December 28, 2016, 08:06:33 PM
Quote from: sawdstmakr on December 28, 2016, 08:04:05 PM
I lost one last week. After they left the other bees moved in and robbed a lot of honey. I found a lot of cut cappings piled up in the dry oil trays.
Jim
Jim, I don't understand the lost. If the honey moved to another hive where is the lose?

The loss was a good strong hive.
Jim

Acebird · December 28, 2016, 08:22:58 PM

Just saying, good strong hives sometimes die in the winter. My definition of a good strong hive is what it does in the spring. A good strong hive in the fall could be a waste of time.

bwallace23350 · December 28, 2016, 09:00:57 PM

I Need to go check my hives soon and then see if they need some food.

Beeboy01 · December 28, 2016, 11:39:03 PM

It's been in the 70's last few weeks and I have started feeding my hives to keep them strong for the spring buildup. Thought I smelled Golden Rod last week but nothing is blooming that I can spot even though the bees are bringing in pollen.
Early spring is critical for hive buildup and they can run out of stores when hit with bad weather at the wrong time.

Barhopper · December 28, 2016, 11:45:42 PM

Quote from: Beeboy01 on December 28, 2016, 11:39:03 PM
It's been in the 70's last few weeks and I have started feeding my hives to keep them strong for the spring buildup. Thought I smelled Golden Rod last week but nothing is blooming that I can spot even though the bees are bringing in pollen.
Early spring is critical for hive buildup and they can run out of stores when hit with bad weather at the wrong time.

Loquats are blooming strong west of you.

Beeboy01 · December 29, 2016, 02:21:07 PM

Didn't think of Loquats being in bloom. Made a real good loquat mead two years ago with about a gallon of fruit in a 5 gallon bucket of mead.