Worldwide Beekeeping
Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: Perry on March 21, 2014, 05:36:22 pm
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I went out and checked another 17 hives today, bringing the total of hives I've actually peaked inside to 39.
I popped the covers, slid some fondant patties onto the top bars and closed them up, spent less than a minute in each.
To date I have only lost 1 of the 39 I have gone through! :)
The one in the backyard is fine so that's 40. I have 11 more to go. I still have 4 nucs that are kicking as well.
I even sneaked a couple pics. Most looked like these two with just a few exceptions
Interesting to note, the cluster in the one dead-out was found in the top box all jammed onto frame number 1 that had nothing but foundation on it. There were frames of honey in the middle but it seems they worked them selves over to one side and got stuck there.
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs10.postimg.cc%2Fe0o5rjp7p%2FMarch_21st_001.jpg&hash=bc364bd7575fb8b2cdccd0b87650cfbb02cdc54a) (http://postimg.cc/image/e0o5rjp7p/)
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs24.postimg.cc%2F72jwhbo1d%2FMarch_21st_002.jpg&hash=e91141a1c7e624d58bf1daaae23ab45c6429e984) (http://postimg.cc/image/72jwhbo1d/)
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Looking good. Get a line on a 100 queens and 90 splits are doable. it would go a long way towards paying for a building for you property.
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awesome news Perry!
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...........(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1056.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft373%2Friverbee1%2FMiscellaneous%2520Smileys%2FDancingPig.gif&hash=7979b411a04e26e508a441a27527bcfec5a287f7)(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1056.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft373%2Friverbee1%2FMiscellaneous%2520Smileys%2FDancingPig.gif&hash=7979b411a04e26e508a441a27527bcfec5a287f7)(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1056.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft373%2Friverbee1%2FMiscellaneous%2520Smileys%2FDancingPig.gif&hash=7979b411a04e26e508a441a27527bcfec5a287f7)
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Perry- They're not going to die until they see you in yoga pants! (this is a clue ;)
Riv- do those pigs have underarm hair??? :D
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I think you're getting the hang of this, Perry! ;)
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Hot dog! Looking good.
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That's great news. You guys up north really have to get you system down. Sounds like you have it figured out. About the time I think I have something hits me square in the nose.
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Looking good. Get a line on a 100 queens and 90 splits are doable. it would go a long way towards paying for a building for you property.
Congratulations Perry :goodjob:
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Rub it in, buddy. :'(
Really though Congratulations !!! :)
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Thanks for the congrats, I wish I could tell everyone what my secret is but.....................even I don't know. :-\
Last year I only lost 1 of 29, so I was not expecting a second year in a row to see that kind of success. From casual observance, it seems like good and bad years tend to alternate to some degree.
The only real thing that I can perhaps attribute it to, is vigilance. Because I don't have a "real" job :-[, I have the ability (and tendency) to be hyper sensitive to what may be occurring in my yards and am able to react quickly, instead of trying to play catch up like most working folks do. I have the luxury of having the most incredibly supportive wife who allows me to do this thing that consumes me, enabling me to visit my yards on a daily basis if I so choose.
I have discovered nothing intellectually that isn't available to everyone, so smarts surely doesn't have anything to do with it. ;D
If I had an answer I would certainly pass it on (or at least bottle it and lucratively market it). :D
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Perry, your not giving yourself enough credit.
I would say that you have a good plan for wintering that works for your climate.
Losing a bunch of hives makes you smarter fast.
You either figure it out or buy a load of new bees each spring. Your choice
:goodjob: bee Amigo!
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I think that you have come to the realization that over wintering success that shows it self in good results in February and March are the end results of the work done in August.
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Well said Apis, words of wisdom.
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"I think that you have come to the realization that over wintering success that shows it self in good results in February and March are the end results of the work done in August. "
well said apis and i might add, well before august :yes:.....
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You deserve this Mr. :)
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3.postimg.cc%2Fax1c77n3z%2Fpie.jpg&hash=9f4dbca5bedcc38957724d14ae7cf69aa3622f86) (http://postimg.cc/image/ax1c77n3z/)
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Hi Perry- ""The only real thing that I can perhaps attribute it to, is vigilance.""
I really liked your post! And I really like vigilance! My bees are 30 feet outside my back door. Can't help it, I watch my bees several times a day. It's better than a cup of coffee ;) 8)
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Braggart! :):)
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Braggart! :):)
Gotta when I can LS, too many times it's gone the "other way". :laugh:
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Braggart! :):)
Gotta when I can LS, too many times it's gone the "other way". :laugh:
I agree with the beautiful ladies, "if you got it, flaunt it."
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Good Job Perry! ;D
I gots me a Question though...
Is 4 Hives out of 4 Better than 40 out of 41? :laugh:
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Thanks for the congrats, I wish I could tell everyone what my secret is but.....................even I don't know. :-\
Last year I only lost 1 of 29, so I was not expecting a second year in a row to see that kind of success. From casual observance, it seems like good and bad years tend to alternate to some degree.
The only real thing that I can perhaps attribute it to, is vigilance. Because I don't have a "real" job :-[, I have the ability (and tendency) to be hyper sensitive to what may be occurring in my yards and am able to react quickly, instead of trying to play catch up like most working folks do. I have the luxury of having the most incredibly supportive wife who allows me to do this thing that consumes me, enabling me to visit my yards on a daily basis if I so choose.
I have discovered nothing intellectually that isn't available to everyone, so smarts surely doesn't have anything to do with it. ;D
If I had an answer I would certainly pass it on (or at least bottle it and lucratively market it). :D
I only lost ONE hive as well Perry, and my situation mirrors your own.. Makes me wonder if you havent hit the nail directly on the head. Our methods for wintering are even similar..
Most folks around here lost a large majority of their hives this winter.
I have been keeping a sort of unscientific tally of hives.. total and lost...
Currently, of 633 hives cared for by members of four different clubs where I attend meetings... 118 have survived the winter.. that is 515 hives LOST within about an 80 mile radius around me...
That is a staggering number, at least in my mind.
Don.. NO ONE can argue that you had a 100% success rate!!!! ;D
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Good Grief! That is a staggering loss! So so sorry about that :sad:
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At our bee meeting tonight, I heard stories of 50 to 75% losses, and these were experienced keeps of many years.
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Complacency is a hard thing to bypass.
Winters here usually have two or three weeks of sub zero weather, a lot of days at or near freezing, and often 40 degree days. Five or six years ago my wife and I were horseback riding in late January on a 64 degree day..
Weather like that doesn't help anyone prepare for a winter like the one we just had. Most folks prepare for a normal winter, rather than preparing for the worst.. I can only guess thats why losses here were so high.
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Good Job Perry! ;D
I gots me a Question though...
Is 4 Hives out of 4 Better than 40 out of 41? :laugh:
No arguing on that one, you got me beat. Congrats, that is impressive Don.
Keeping our charges alive is becoming more and more difficult, and every success should be celebrated.
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No I think 40 out of 41 is a bigger feat! ;D
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I am still utterly amazed that both our hives survived here in Nova Scotia, it has been one wild winter. But with all the advice from Perry and this forum we made it through. Thanks to all of you because all of you, your ideas thoughts and the information you provide is so very valuable........ So I guess we can say we are 2 for 2............
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:goodjob: Way to go Perry.I've been out of town and just found your thread,so I wanted to say nice job.