Another one down.

Donovan J · January 03, 2020, 05:38:21 PM

Went out today after the freak windstorm we had yesterday and found that another hive died. They got small and the cold got to them. Wasn't starvation because the hive is full of honey and I took a bit to make some pancakes but will leave the rest for this years bees. Super sad and fingers crossed the other two make it. It hit 60 degrees today. Wow.

van from Arkansas · January 03, 2020, 08:34:36 PM

I Know the feeling Xerox. Indeed sad. Come Spring, you can split and recover your bees. Part of beekeeping is enduring a loss, that is the sad part. Try to figure reasons for the loss and keep going forward. Spring is soon to come and the warm, happy, gentle buzz of the honeybees will bring comfort.
Van

Donovan J · January 03, 2020, 08:51:47 PM

Quote from: van from Arkansas on January 03, 2020, 08:34:36 PM
I Know the feeling Xerox. Indeed sad. Come Spring, you can split and recover your bees. Part of beekeeping is enduring a loss, that is the sad part. Try to figure reasons for the loss and keep going forward. Spring is soon to come and the warm, happy, gentle buzz of the honeybees will bring comfort.
Van

I'm also getting a package shipped in so that will up the numbers. This gives work will not go to waste.

Oldbeavo · January 04, 2020, 03:09:39 AM

If we have bees fall in numbers and may only cover 4-5 frames in an 8 frame hive, we will take out frames and pack the gap with polystyrene.
So in fact we make a 4 or 5 frame nuc in an 8 frame hive.

Donovan J · January 04, 2020, 05:55:16 PM

Quote from: Oldbeavo on January 04, 2020, 03:09:39 AM
If we have bees fall in numbers and may only cover 4-5 frames in an 8 frame hive, we will take out frames and pack the gap with polystyrene.
So in fact we make a 4 or 5 frame nuc in an 8 frame hive.

That's a good idea

van from Arkansas · January 04, 2020, 08:47:05 PM

Mr. Beavo, are you and family safe from the horrific fires that are burning in Australia?
Blessings
Van

Troutdog · January 05, 2020, 09:09:49 AM

Early winter colony loss
Failure to make winter bees

Causes
Bad queen
PMS.....mites
Not enough pollen in fall bees couldn't make fat bodies.
Nosema

Can be all of the above

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Oldbeavo · January 05, 2020, 05:55:21 PM

Hi Mr Van
We are well away from the fires.
There have been hives lost in the fires, one BK was reported to have lost 500. Plus there has been a lot of honey country burnt that will take 30-50 years to return to production.
Fires have burnt about 7 million acres so far.

van from Arkansas · January 05, 2020, 08:31:36 PM

Good for you Mr. Beavo. As far as the wildfires and Australia, I am speechless: I do not have words to express my sympathies: 11,000 square miles of burn, there are not words to describe.

Van

MarkJ · January 08, 2020, 04:33:37 PM

"one BK was reported to have lost 500" - What a massive loss :(