don,t know what to do

lee · February 24, 2005, 02:17:00 AM

have two old hives. one die off. it was a small group. so i clean it out. even took a tourch to it . now the other one is doing good .it has a lot of bees in it. and a lot of honey from what i can see. there is about 6 or 7 frames of honey in there. what do i do with it. and today the bees was going to the hive that i clean out . they were all over it . HELP.

Phoenix · February 24, 2005, 08:59:02 AM

First of all, where in MI are you located? Your winter is not over yet and the colony will need that honey to live on until after the last frost of the season. I'm not sure what exactly your question was, what was it you were wanting to do with the honey?

Anonymous · February 24, 2005, 09:41:40 AM

If your worried the second hive had some sickness and don't want the bees you have left to get sick then by all means destroy the frames of honey wax and all else.
If you think they died as a result of to small a cluster then you can feed the frames of honey to your remaining colony.
I guesstamate here in my area of Michigan we are in for an even worse roll a coaster temp range than we have been having. I won't consider my colonies saftely thru winter tiill mid April at best.
During mild days in March when the girls are doing a lot of flying I'll bee feeding and also changing frames of honey for cleaned out ones with out brood putting it closer to the clusters usefull area.
:D Al

Bruce Hanson · February 24, 2005, 11:52:27 AM

Leave all the honey in the good hive.This is the time of year when they need it the most.Bees are starting to brood up and no necter is coming in so surplus honey is used to feed the brood, and it will go fast in a strong hive.More bees starve this time of year just weeks before anything is blooming than any other time. Bees flying around your dead hive are robbing it out.If that colonly did not die of foul brood the honey can be used for feed

lee · February 25, 2005, 02:51:53 AM

note from eivindm: Turned on BBCode (in the options field) for you, so the quote shows up right.

Quote from: Bruce HansonLeave all the honey in the good hive.This is the time of year when they need it the most.Bees are starting to brood up and no necter is coming in so surplus honey is used to feed the brood, and it will go fast in a strong hive.More bees starve this time of year just weeks before anything is blooming than any other time. Bees flying around your dead hive are robbing it out.If that colonly did not die of foul brood the honey can be used for feed

i left the honey in the good hive.the bees in there are ok. but the dead hive that the bees are flying around.i took everthing out of it and put back new.they were all by the door of it.like they were eating something. thanks

Beth Kirkley · February 25, 2005, 12:01:05 PM

I'm not that experienced, but could they be either going in and taking the wax off the foundation? Or maybe scouting for a new home to swarm to?

Just some thoughts for another member to maybe answer on.

Beth

Bruce Hanson · February 26, 2005, 11:10:10 AM

Bees will rob the honey but the wax is not taken,and swarming this time of year,? beekeeping 101 says no. Oh Beth when are you having your fried chicken party. Bruce

Beth Kirkley · February 26, 2005, 02:03:55 PM

Bruce -
Yeah, I didn't like my answer either. :)

Ok..... I don't have a clue - how's that? LOL

I'll most definately be having a bar-b-que for my birthday, which is May 23rd. So the best day for my friends to make it is Saturday the 21st. You'll be there right? Heck, you probably live within an 8 hour drive from me.

Beth

Bruce Hanson · February 26, 2005, 07:28:42 PM

Beth,lets see I'm in Texas now untill the end of May. Tx. to Ga. in 8 hours--maybe but I have a big problem, thats the week that I start shipping my bees back to South Dakota,6 semi loads so will probably busy,heck. Hey I'm 10 days and a few years older than you May 13 here.Still have a few pet rocks that I can let go

Beth Kirkley · February 26, 2005, 07:51:23 PM

Bruce-

Well darn. :? And no thank you on the pet rocks. I've got plenty. As a matter of fact, with the addition of the chickens and goats, I really need to sell a few of my rocks. My husband is real sweet about me having 3 dogs, 4 cats, 6 geese, 7 ducks, 28 chickens, and 4-6 goats....... but he won't allow me to keep everything. So the rocks will have to go.

You've got to move 6 semi trucks full of bees? That is a job! I bet you enjoy it all though.

Well anyway - sure is good to have you around here, with all your experience, to teach us what you can.

Beth :)

lively Bee's · February 27, 2005, 03:45:47 AM

I would say they are robbing any honey in the old hive. What was your couse of death in the other hive do you know?

lee · February 27, 2005, 12:40:41 PM

Quote from: lively Bee'sI would say they are robbing any honey in the old hive. What was your couse of death in the other hive do you know?

1 there is no honey in the old hive. clean evething out even burn it with a trouch.and put everthing back new. 2 death i don,t know it was a small group of about a 100 or so .might have froz... to death.

don,t know what to do

Anonymous