Apparently Queenless

Michael Bush · May 04, 2008, 11:26:30 PM

Just be sure they have food (honey or syrup) and water. They have to have both to live.

Daddys Girl · May 05, 2008, 12:22:01 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on May 04, 2008, 11:26:30 PM
Just be sure they have food (honey or syrup) and water. They have to have both to live.

:nods: I'll make sure there is a water source out there that can get to them.

Daddys Girl · May 05, 2008, 09:50:57 AM

Bees are still in the hive, thanks to the presence of a #8 mesh barrier.

I have taken a clean 44oz drink cup and used a pin to pop two small holes in the bottom edge to establish a water drip to the bees at the entrance. I need to check to see how the hive is leveled, and make sure that the water dribbles toward the bees.

The cup can be refilled at intervals throughout the day, and once before bedtime if need be.

I am ordering a new queen in an hour. The worst that can happen is that they kill her, which will be unfortunate, but less unfortunate than losing a hive because I assume a queen is there when there isn't one. :/

At least with the bees inside for the day, I can get the mowing done that I've avoided doing over there all week.

mairghead · May 05, 2008, 01:22:29 PM

Are you putting sugar water in the cup?

Are you going to put the new Italians next to the renegade Buckfasts?

Jackie

Daddys Girl · May 05, 2008, 01:29:16 PM

Quote from: mairghead on May 05, 2008, 01:22:29 PM
Are you putting sugar water in the cup?

No, it's straight water. There's a feeder inside and the water is to help them with hive cooling, etc.

QuoteAre you going to put the new Italians next to the renegade Buckfasts?

Yeah. They will be as far apart as I can get them, but they'll have to live in the 8 by 10 enclosure. :-\

mairghead · May 05, 2008, 01:47:23 PM

Have you thought about using the wax foundation in strips like on the Bush farms website? Are you just going to put the Italians in a top bar hive?

With my new package, I ordered some new foundation to do the strips. The foundation I put in the other hive had been in storage for almost a decade and I kind of wonder if it didn't promote the absconding of my bees. It didn't seem to bother the bees we put in last year, but I thought it couldn't hurt to have new stuff. Chris used the preformed plastic cells on his new hives this spring that he got from down south. He had one box kill the queen, but the other three are doing well. They are producing really heavy burr comb though in all the boxes. We just spritzed the plastic with sugar water instead of painting on honey though and it worked pretty well. A little less trouble too.

Jackie (sorry hope thats not too chaotically stream of concious)

Daddys Girl · May 05, 2008, 02:14:23 PM

Quote from: mairghead on May 05, 2008, 01:47:23 PM
Have you thought about using the wax foundation in strips like on the Bush farms website? Are you just going to put the Italians in a top bar hive?

They are going in a TBH.

QuoteWith my new package, I ordered some new foundation to do the strips. The foundation I put in the other hive had been in storage for almost a decade and I kind of wonder if it didn't promote the absconding of my bees. It didn't seem to bother the bees we put in last year, but I thought it couldn't hurt to have new stuff. Chris used the preformed plastic cells on his new hives this spring that he got from down south. He had one box kill the queen, but the other three are doing well. They are producing really heavy burr comb though in all the boxes. We just spritzed the plastic with sugar water instead of painting on honey though and it worked pretty well. A little less trouble too.

I've done both honey and sugar water now, and they are still absconding. :( This is why they are inside with a water drip and some shade over them until I can get a new queen/frame of brood/other miraculous occurance to fix this.