Two observations after feeding today

bwallace23350 · February 20, 2017, 11:31:37 AM

I fed my bees today. I noticed that there was a lot of bees flying but I could notice no pollen. Does that mean that they are on a good nectar source now? Also I started to look at my bees and noticed that they are of a darker colour than I remember and look like the feral bees in my area. Tan and Black instead of Yellow and Black. Thoughts?

Dallasbeek · February 20, 2017, 02:24:31 PM

1. You may be feeding feral bees along with your bees.

2. Your bees may have requeened on their own and the new queen bred with feral drones. So you have muts, like most of us.

3. Your memory could be faulty.

4. Both 1. and 2. 3 is less likely.

bwallace23350 · February 20, 2017, 02:47:31 PM

Cool. I kinda was hopping to catch some feral swarms because they are survivors. I actually hope they crossed over. They are super active right now. Lots of orientation flights right now.

BeeMaster2 · February 20, 2017, 08:16:49 PM

There is one other option. It may bee some of the drones that mated your queens were dark and their genes are just showing up in your bees.
Jim

Dallasbeek · February 20, 2017, 08:57:01 PM

Jim, you are right, but I left it out because I'm lazy. What are the odds of lots of them being from those particular drones? I've read that AHB semen may be used before other semen, but I question how that happens. Lots of questions in beekeeping. Not as many answers. Cheers.

bwallace23350 · February 20, 2017, 10:41:21 PM

Interesting and I have never heard that before

Acebird · February 21, 2017, 08:22:59 AM

If there is a good nectar source your hives will gain weight. If they are bringing in pollen they are making bees. If the bees are robbing the frames of honey will be torn open not just uncapped and there will be wax debris on the bottom of the hive as evidence.

bwallace23350 · February 21, 2017, 10:59:10 AM

Quote from: Acebird on February 21, 2017, 08:22:59 AM
If there is a good nectar source your hives will gain weight. If they are bringing in pollen they are making bees. If the bees are robbing the frames of honey will be torn open not just uncapped and there will be wax debris on the bottom of the hive as evidence.

Thanks Acebird. Well I can tell they went for the sugar water. It looks like mid March where I am and the clover is starting to bloom out. I will probably feed through the weekend and then will probably be ready to throw on some honey supers. Our cold day is only 67 or so this week.