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Author Topic: So far, so good!  (Read 10294 times)

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Offline Perry

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So far, so good!
« on: March 19, 2014, 08:02:06 pm »
Knock on wood.
Today it was warm enough for a quick peek in 22 of my hives. It was 5 C (40 F). This winter has been long, and I can hear bees in my hives, but I decided to use the eyes today. 3 yards, 22 hives.
The first yard, first hive, lifted the inner cover and saw 3 or 4 top bars covered in bees. I knew this one was weak(ish) last fall so not a big surprise. I slid a 2 lb fondant patty right alongside the bees and closed it up.
The next 21 hives had top bars just covered with bees, from 75 to 100%!!! I was surprised by the number of bees in there. I had to smoke 'em to slide the fondant patties in and close them up. I couldn't really tell how much they had left for stores (a lot of them are still frozen to the pallets), but I'm glad I had the fondant on hand. That many bees are going to grind up a lot of feed in a hurry.
So, I guess I will have to keep a close watch on them till it warms up enough for syrup. Pollen patties are ready to go on some time in the next month, maybe mid April.
I took a few, both wrists got nailed at least once. One on the neck, and when I got home I put my hand in my pocket and got one right on my ring finger. No discomfort at all which surprised me considering these are the first in a long while.
22 down, 29 to go! ;D
Today, was a good day!  ;)
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Offline Woody Roberts

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2014, 08:12:00 pm »
Glad to hear it. Hope your next inspection goes as well.
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Offline Bakersdozen

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2014, 08:45:15 pm »
That's great Perry!  Does the anonymous chef need to make you a pie?
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Offline rcannon

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2014, 08:48:14 pm »
Sounds like you're looking good so far, Perry. Good luck with the rest of them.
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Offline Dunkel

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2014, 08:48:55 pm »
Congrats, now you can really get nervous.  Instead of wondering if they are still alive. you can worry about them starving :)
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Offline Perry

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #5 on: March 19, 2014, 09:37:36 pm »
Quote from: Dunkel on March 19, 2014, 08:48:55 pm
Congrats, now you can really get nervous.  Instead of wondering if they are still alive. you can worry about them starving :)

As strange as that sounds, you are bang on!  :yah: :agree:
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Offline riverbee

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #6 on: March 19, 2014, 09:44:16 pm »
"Today, was a good day!  ;)"

a good day for you perry, unlike last year...... :yes:  your bees will just show you up this year!....... :D
and ps, hope they do!
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Offline Jen

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #7 on: March 19, 2014, 11:15:30 pm »
Perry - "" I took a few, both wrists got nailed at least once. One on the neck, and when I got home I put my hand in my pocket and got one right on my ring finger. No discomfort at all which surprised me considering these are the first in a long while.""

Right On Perry! Good Report! Glad the stings didn't bother you. Regarding catching a swarm: it's said that when the bees are in swarm they are at their most placid. I got nailed many times, so that in a crock of poo poo!  :D
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Offline litefoot

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2014, 12:18:46 am »
100% survival so far. That is just awesome! :goodjob: I bet it was tough waiting out the cold to get that first peek.
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Offline Perry

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2014, 06:57:28 am »
Quote from: riverbee on March 19, 2014, 09:44:16 pm
"Today, was a good day!  ;)"

a good day for you perry, unlike last year...... :yes:  your bees will just show you up this year!....... :D
and ps, hope they do!

Actually Riv, last year was a great year for me overwintering anyway. I went into winter with 29 and only lost 1. The winter before that (the year of our move), was a tough one. Having a full plate and hives not close is a recipe for trouble.
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Offline Marbees

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2014, 07:20:31 am »
Great news Perry, congratulations  :)
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Offline kebee

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #11 on: March 20, 2014, 08:33:38 am »
 Always glad to hear that their hives of bees are still alive, way to go there Perry just hope the winter is over there soon and that all the bees make it.

Ken
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Offline crazy8days

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #12 on: March 20, 2014, 09:06:48 am »
Glad to hear they are doing well. I've been keeping a close eye on mine as well. Full of hungry bees!  Fondant seems like the way to go. I've had better luck with fondant than candy boards. I've been adding Mega Bee to mine. Hoping it will help.
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Offline barry42001

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #13 on: March 20, 2014, 09:53:30 am »
congratulations, bring in hives through your kind of winter can be challenging indeed not like before no varroa and shb stressing the Hives out in addition to whatever we do to it

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

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Offline blueblood

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #14 on: March 20, 2014, 10:02:51 am »
Good to hear the hives are waking up nicely.  I always wonder about the stowaway bees in the cuffs and creases so I do a bounce jump a few times before taking off my suit.
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Offline Perry

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #15 on: March 20, 2014, 10:56:26 am »
Quote from: blueblood on March 20, 2014, 10:02:51 am
Good to hear the hives are waking up nicely.  I always wonder about the stowaway bees in the cuffs and creases so I do a bounce jump a few times before taking off my suit.

Ah Dave, sometimes you make it too easy!  ;) I sense another video Dave. You in red maybe?

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Offline riverbee

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #16 on: March 20, 2014, 06:25:14 pm »
................... :D :D :D
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Offline Jen

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #17 on: March 21, 2014, 11:02:19 pm »
Might As Well JUMP!

Great hearing some Hair Band music! Thanks Perry

You Got To Ro o ole With The Punches....  ;) 8)
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Offline lazy shooter

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Re: So far, so good!
« Reply #18 on: March 21, 2014, 11:17:14 pm »
I saw the video of the guy jumping enough to dislodge bees, but surely it is an oxymoron to refer to that video as music.
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