Happy Beekeeper

GT · May 03, 2006, 06:16:25 PM

Two packages installed early April, seem to be adapting well. Queens are laying, they're taking less and less of the syrup, I see bees with pollen landing at the entrance every day. Surprising since I live in the northeast and we dont have a significant bloom yet, plus the weather is still cool. They havent built up more than two frames yet, but it doesnt seem like a problem. At this point the population has likely dwindled to its lowest and the living bees are working hard, once the population rises the build up should increase rapidly. What are other people's opinion/experience.

Understudy · May 03, 2006, 08:12:19 PM

Quote from: GTTwo packages installed early April, seem to be adapting well. Queens are laying, they're taking less and less of the syrup, I see bees with pollen landing at the entrance every day. Surprising since I live in the northeast and we dont have a significant bloom yet, plus the weather is still cool. They havent built up more than two frames yet, but it doesnt seem like a problem. At this point the population has likely dwindled to its lowest and the living bees are working hard, once the population rises the build up should increase rapidly. What are other people's opinion/experience.

Queen laying eggs? Check
Workers making comb? Check
Bees bringing in pollen? Check

This seems like a good thing. Sit back relax and enjoy.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

GT · May 03, 2006, 08:33:24 PM

Thats exactly what I'm doing! Plus sneaking a peek inside the hive every few days

davew26 · May 03, 2006, 10:42:05 PM

New Beekeeper here. I installed two packages on 1 Apr
in SE Pennsylvania. The bees are active building comb and
laying brood. They emptied the sugar water jars and
I didn't refill them. Should I??

Dave in PA

Understudy · May 03, 2006, 10:46:59 PM

Quote from: davew26New Beekeeper here. I installed two packages on 1 Apr
in SE Pennsylvania. The bees are active building comb and
laying brood. They emptied the sugar water jars and
I didn't refill them. Should I??

Dave in PA

Are the bees bringing in pollen?
Are the bees putting any honey in cells?

If the plants are blooming and the bees can get nectar and pollen, you should be okay.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

davew26 · May 04, 2006, 10:27:09 AM

The bees are busy. Bringing in pollen and water and I suppose Honey.
Will have to take a look to see if there is honey.

I assumed there would be. The apple, cherry and dogwood trees
are all in bloom and they appear to be ignoring the close apple trees and are heading down the hill toward the creek for something else.

Picky bugs.

Dave

GT · May 04, 2006, 11:08:41 AM

Give them more syrup. when they dont want it anymore you'll know.

davew26 · May 05, 2006, 12:05:40 AM

Are Spiders a problem to bees? I saw one large spider trying to bushwack bees returning to the hive. The spider was hanging out near the entrance and would make moves toward a lone bee but would jump back when a second bee approached. This sequence repeated itself for a while......

Thanks
Dave

Understudy · May 05, 2006, 12:18:33 AM

Quote from: davew26Are Spiders a problem to bees? I saw one large spider trying to bushwack bees returning to the hive. The spider was hanging out near the entrance and would make moves toward a lone bee but would jump back when a second bee approached. This sequence repeated itself for a while......

Thanks
Dave

The question you have to ask are their enough bees for your spider?
Basically one bee provides a very good meal for a spider. I tend to accept this as nature. However I have noticed I have a lot of spiders that could use Jenny Craig. I have noticed an increase in the predators in my yard since the hives moved in. However my hives are strong and there is more than enough to go around. I am just trying to protect them from the dreaded windshield monster. Do not let the spiders move into the hive. The hive is a segregated community no spiders, rats, mites, beetles, or other nasties allowed in the hive.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Michael Bush · May 05, 2006, 08:27:56 AM

I've had some fat ones by my hives. I usually catch them and move them, but my guess is they don't eat that much. :)

Jerrymac · May 05, 2006, 01:00:14 PM

I have seen the spiders eating the bees and the flies. So I guess it's a trade off.

davew26 · May 05, 2006, 04:32:17 PM

Quote from: GTGive them more syrup. when they dont want it anymore you'll know.

GT... You are right. Put some syurp in the feeder and they are
ignoring it. Very busy bringing in the pollen and necter.

Beautiful weather for the critters.

Dave