New beek-between work and weather

Started by dprater, April 18, 2012, 06:07:41 AM

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dprater

April 18, 2012, 06:07:41 AM
Between long hrs this week and some rain today (that we really need) I can't get in to check or feed my bees. Got them in last Saturday (two hives) gallon baggie for feeding with empty supper for cover. Will they be alright till this coming Saturday? Maybe I can get off of work tomorrow and check but not sure. Check feeder after dark???

Thanks

ScoobyDoBee

#1
April 18, 2012, 08:27:35 AM
Been there, done that - work, weather, or sick. Very frustrating. I have successfully sneaked in under the cloak of darkness and done a quick fix here and there. Bright lights can agitate them tho, so just be aware. And bee quiet. :)

I would think you should have pretty good nectar there in SC by now?? If yes, they won't be downing the baggie bites anyway. 
- ScoobyDoBee
Get high on life - smoke some bees!

CBEE

#2
April 18, 2012, 09:53:04 AM
Taking the top off a hive at night and shining a flashlight down in there is kinda like hearing a train coming at a crossing and wondering if its ok to step out on the tracks :shock:

ScoobyDoBee

#3
April 18, 2012, 10:10:18 AM
Yeah, I know, Cbee. I don't advocate direct shining of light. But it CAN be done in an emergent situation that can be handled in a quick in and out. Like - have new bag ready - have someone lift the super while other person sets in new bag. Sort of a "smash n grab." :) As I said, I did it, didn't get stung, but it was a quickie. Caution is deserved.
- ScoobyDoBee
Get high on life - smoke some bees!

Intheswamp

#4
April 18, 2012, 11:02:45 AM
I picked up a little headlamp that will burn either white *or* red LEDs.  I use the red LED at night around the bees and they seem to pay it no attention.  I've used them to move caught swarms, feed bees, etc., and have had no issues.

If nothing else, go out there with a raincoat and check the feed...then you'll know better what you need to do....you may even end up sleeping better after finding out that they still have plenty of food.  ;)

I hived a nice sized swarm the other day.  Two 8-frame mediums of bees.  I gave them two old empty combs and one comb of fresh comb with probably 25% honey/nectar stored in it and the rest foundation.  After I got them on their hive stand I placed two quart jars of 1:1 on them....in 24 hours they had used about 1" of syrup out of each jar....I figure maybe a 1/2 pint.

Try the red light, it works pretty good. :)

Best wishes,
Ed

www.beeweather.com 
American blood spilled to protect the freedom and peace of people all over the world.  320,000 USA casualties in WWI, 1,076,000 USA casualties in WWII, 128,000 USA casualties in the Korean War, 211,000 casualties in the Vietnam "conflict", 57,000 USA casualties in "War on Terror".  Benghazi, Libya, 13 USA casualties. These figures don't include 70,000 MIA.  But, the leaders of one political party of the United States of America continue to make the statement..."What difference does it make?".

"We can't expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism, until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism."..."The press is our chief ideological weapon." - Nikita Khrushchev

"Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they wont come to yours." - Yogi Berra

Dimmsdale

#5
April 18, 2012, 04:50:23 PM
With a gallon of feed and a nector flow, I think they will be just fine until Saturday.  Just my 2 cents!   :)

Bennettoid

#6
April 18, 2012, 05:22:55 PM
Quote from: CBEE on April 18, 2012, 09:53:04 AM
Taking the top off a hive at night and shining a flashlight down in there is kinda like hearing a train coming at a crossing and wondering if its ok to step out on the tracks :shock:

Been there, done that.

dprater

#7
April 19, 2012, 06:26:42 AM
I did't know we could bend the rules about doing anything after dark. I will not make a habit of it of course but I will look tonight and see how much they are taking.

I did see a few bees taken pollen in Tuesday so that should be a good sign.

Thanks for the help. More to this beek than it looks like from the outside :-D

Danny

ziffabeek

#8
April 19, 2012, 09:46:13 AM
The red light is key, if you can find it. 

love,
ziffa

Intheswamp

#9
April 19, 2012, 11:19:28 AM
Chinamart, er, I mean, Walmart has them...

Ed
www.beeweather.com 
American blood spilled to protect the freedom and peace of people all over the world.  320,000 USA casualties in WWI, 1,076,000 USA casualties in WWII, 128,000 USA casualties in the Korean War, 211,000 casualties in the Vietnam "conflict", 57,000 USA casualties in "War on Terror".  Benghazi, Libya, 13 USA casualties. These figures don't include 70,000 MIA.  But, the leaders of one political party of the United States of America continue to make the statement..."What difference does it make?".

"We can't expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism, until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism."..."The press is our chief ideological weapon." - Nikita Khrushchev

"Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they wont come to yours." - Yogi Berra

mikecva

#10
April 19, 2012, 02:10:29 PM
Remember, you are not breaking any bee rules just human rules. I think most of us have entered a hive with minimal lighting. Just do not enter a hive without there being a good reason to (no lookie-los with friends).

By the way, welcome to the forum and the world of bees. You might think of looking for a local club to join and go face to face with others in your area who are interested in bees.  -Mike
.
Listen to others but make your own decisions. That way you own the results.
.
Please remember to read labels.

hardwood

#11
April 19, 2012, 03:39:39 PM
If any of you are coming to Bud4 this year (4/26-4/27) I'm sure we'll be having another "bees after dark" experience! Yeppers...we do use red lights!

Scott
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

dprater

#12
April 19, 2012, 10:49:38 PM
Good news I got to go in the hives late today. Queens are out in both hives, stored pollen and eggs yes I've got eggs. They had started building cone in the empty suppers that had baggie feeders in them, three pieces about the size of my hand in one just a little in the other. I shook the bees on the top of the frames and did not put the baggie feeder back in, and no empty supper is needed now. I had bought entrance feeders and guess I should have used them to start with.

I'm very, very happy to see eggs and to fix the problem in the empty supper and baggie feeder.

Mike I have joined a local club and been to one meeting, met some nice beek their.

Thanks
Danny

ScoobyDoBee

#13
April 19, 2012, 11:10:32 PM
Personal opinion - avoid entrance feeders like the plague. They can set off robbing like there's no tomorrow.
- ScoobyDoBee
Get high on life - smoke some bees!
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