Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: Zweefer on April 11, 2023, 09:04:00 am

Title: It took 13 years…
Post by: Zweefer on April 11, 2023, 09:04:00 am

But I finally overwintered my first nuc! 


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Title: Re: It took 13 years…
Post by: Bakersdozen on April 11, 2023, 10:32:10 am

 :goodjob:

What technique did it take 13 years to learn?  You don't get off that easy.  :laugh:

Title: Re: It took 13 years…
Post by: Jen on April 11, 2023, 12:04:19 pm

Agreed Baker ... Give it up Zweefer!

Title: Re: It took 13 years…
Post by: Zweefer on April 11, 2023, 05:11:24 pm

Not really sure. I wrapped them same as any other year, made sure they had emergency feed.  Ran it three deep (mediums) just this year it took.  I don’t do anything different than I normally did in years past. And to be fair, I’ve only been trying to overwinter nuc’s for the last 3 or 4.


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Title: Re: It took 13 years…
Post by: Jen on April 12, 2023, 01:19:18 am

Well Zweefer, Congrats Anyway! ;D Sometimes you don't know how they made it, and sometimes ya don't what killed them.

Title: Re: It took 13 years…
Post by: .30WCF on April 12, 2023, 10:39:01 am

Nice. Remind me what state?


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Title: Re: It took 13 years…
Post by: Bakersdozen on April 12, 2023, 11:43:24 am

Quote from: .30WCF on April 12, 2023, 10:39:01 am

Nice. Remind me what state?


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Zweefer is in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  Wikipedia says that the average temperature is only 46F.  Temperatures can drop down to -40F.

Zweefer, Congrats!  Sounds like you made sure there were adequate food stores and protection from the wind and severe cold temperatures.  My gut tells me that they had a low mite count going into winter as well.  We find that the majority of losses down here are due to uncontrolled mite counts.

Title: Re: It took 13 years…
Post by: .30WCF on April 12, 2023, 04:01:24 pm

Quote from: Bakersdozen on April 12, 2023, 11:43:24 am

Quote from: .30WCF on April 12, 2023, 10:39:01 am

Nice. Remind me what state?


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Zweefer is in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  Wikipedia says that the average temperature is only 46F.  Temperatures can drop down to -40F.

Zweefer, Congrats!  Sounds like you made sure there were adequate food stores and protection from the wind and severe cold temperatures.  My gut tells me that they had a low mite count going into winter as well.  We find that the majority of losses down here are due to uncontrolled mite counts.

Sounds like I need to move there. I hate the hot summers.


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Title: Re: It took 13 years…
Post by: Zweefer on April 14, 2023, 06:31:40 pm

I’d welcome you with open arms!

Title: Re: It took 13 years…
Post by: LazyBkpr on May 07, 2023, 10:37:06 pm

Yeah what Bakers Said. I have the best luck with Nucs when I treat them in August and again in early November for mites, and do it exactly like Zweef did. Three deep with sugar on top.

Title: Re: It took 13 years…
Post by: Zweefer on May 09, 2023, 07:44:52 am

You keep in nucs year round, correct @LazyBkpr (https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=67) ?
I usually keep one around as wax production or as a resource to use for the other hives. 

Title: Re: It took 13 years…
Post by: LazyBkpr on May 09, 2023, 02:13:13 pm

Yep, exactly. I like to try to keep three or four if possible, they are fantastic to snag resources from, be it a frame of eggs/larvae or just for putting was on new frames. They take a bit more work, you have to pay more attention to them, or they WILL get out of control and swarm in a short time. But if you LIKE tinkering with your bees, they give you that excuse!