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Offline Marion

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BEES AND COMPOST
« on: April 06, 2015, 01:40:14 pm »
Even though the snow is finally melting, we still have a lot of it. The temperatures are up and down with some cold nights. Today it is 48 degrees.What I have noticed my honeybees doing is going to the compost pile. I watched today to try to figure out what they were getting, chicken poop, fruit or vegies. What I noticed today is they were going after coffee grounds and picking it up like pollen. Is this a bad thing? I peeked into my hive today and there was a crowd of them around the fondant. They do have food. I have not gone in to do a hive investigation because the temperatures were in the upper 30s over the weekend. I don't know if I should be given them pollen patties now. 
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Offline CpnObvious

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Re: BEES AND COMPOST
« Reply #1 on: April 06, 2015, 02:04:09 pm »
Marion!  Haven't seen you on in a while... glad you've wintered well!

I'm just a bit North-East of you in Central MA, so I'm well aware of the temps we've been having.  I can't speak to the coffee grounds in the compost, but what I've done over the past month:

~ About a month, or so, ago I gave both hives a Mann Lake Winter Patty.  One hive finished it off pretty quick (1-1.5 weeks?), the other didn't really seem to be touching it.  Just for laughs (because the hive was open) I gave it another 1/2 patty.  The other hive, which went into winter much stronger, is still stronger!...  They originally weren't really touching the patty... Then it seemed to be gone really quickly!  I didn't have more patty with me yesterday, but I did feed them (the second hive) some Mann Lake Ultra Bee Dry.  I'm not giving them syrup yet because it still seems too cold, but I'm trying to get them going as I'm certain warmer weather is on it's way!  Not sure I'm necessarily doing the right thing... only time will tell!

I asked in another thread earlier today about sugar/grease/menthol patty to help prevent tracheal mites.  I haven't heard back yet, but the day is still young!
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Offline Marion

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Re: BEES AND COMPOST
« Reply #2 on: April 06, 2015, 02:32:33 pm »
    I looked in today and the bees are eating the fondant I made and put in for them just before winter. I put half a pollen patty in thinking they are going for the coffee grounds as a pollen substitute because there is nothing else. Hope this wasn't a mistake. I think there will be natural pollen in a couple of weeks from the willows, maples, and crocuses. I bought these pollen patties last fall before I knew what I was doing. They have been in the freezer ever since. Might as well use one if I have it because maybe they need it.
    We joined the Northern Berkshire Beekeeper Association and went to our first meeting last month. Very informative. I wasn't sure what to do as this is my first spring. It seems like we should not go into the hive and disturb them until it is regularly 50 to 60 degrees. I'm dying to go in and move frames around to make sure there is room for larva.
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Offline Perry

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Re: BEES AND COMPOST
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2015, 02:51:21 pm »
In my opinion you have done everything right. Fondant is good, whether they take it right away or not, it's cheap insurance. As to the compost, I've seen lots of bees going to the sawdust pile when I've been milling some wood, they are collecting whatever they "think" they can use it seems.
Pollen patties were well timed, the rule I've learned is to try them 10 to 14 days before natural pollen becomes available.
You all are close to me so I think we're all stuck on the same boat. Maybe a visit someday? :)
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Offline CpnObvious

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Re: BEES AND COMPOST
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2015, 03:40:55 pm »
Perry, you're always welcome here...  Well, assuming I'm around. Lol!

The video that was posted about the mushrooms last week was very informative. Among other things, he mentioned the use of sawdust and/or mulch to collect stuff for propolis and some health benefits, if I remember correctly. It's a pretty long lecture, maybe an hour?, but well worth the time.
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Offline Marion

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Re: BEES AND COMPOST
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2015, 04:15:09 pm »
Perry, you were a great help to us in preparing for our first winter. We wrapped, insulated the top cover and gave them fondant. They survived a very harsh winter. Your pictures of winterized hives were great. Thank you. If you are ever in the Berkshires we would be glad to have you visit. I doubt if we will be going to Nova Scotia because we own a campground and are too busy to go anywhere.

Cpnobvious, it is nice to have someone from the same climate to bounce ideas off of. Glad yours survived the winter, too. Something new we want to do is split our hive later. More fun learning.

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Offline Perry

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Re: BEES AND COMPOST
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2015, 05:37:18 pm »
Quote from: CpnObvious on April 06, 2015, 03:40:55 pm
Perry, you're always welcome here...  Well, assuming I'm around. Lol!

The video that was posted about the mushrooms last week was very informative. Among other things, he mentioned the use of sawdust and/or mulch to collect stuff for propolis and some health benefits, if I remember correctly. It's a pretty long lecture, maybe an hour?, but well worth the time.

Hmm, that actually makes sense, if they collect tree resin, maybe there's something in the fresh sawdust that they can use. Well done, that had never ocurred to me.
I sense a road trip some day, you all are just too close not to visit.  :)
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Offline Marion

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Re: BEES AND COMPOST
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2015, 06:33:52 pm »
Perry, you could come camping. Check out Fernwoodforest.com
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Offline Perry

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Re: BEES AND COMPOST
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2015, 06:49:25 pm »
Looks pretty nice!  ;D
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Offline Marion

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Re: BEES AND COMPOST
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2015, 06:51:24 pm »
We are a small campground, 45 sites. Keeps us busy from May 1 to Oct 15.
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Offline riverbee

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Re: BEES AND COMPOST
« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2015, 07:18:47 pm »
marion, good to 'see' you back!

temps here are crazy too, up down, up down, 70's 80's than nose dive right back down to the 30's and 40's during the day, and freezing temps at night.
no syrup can go on for me yet.

"What I noticed today is they were going after coffee grounds and picking it up like pollen. Is this a bad thing? I peeked into my hive today and there was a crowd of them around the fondant. They do have food. I have not gone in to do a hive investigation because the temperatures were in the upper 30s over the weekend. I don't know if I should be given them pollen patties now." 

not a bad thing marion, a crowd around the fondant?  good thing and good you added it?, and if they need more give it to them, until you can put syrup on. don't worry about hive inspections until it's warm enough to do so. pollen patties, it doesn't hurt to give it to them.  worst case scenario, they will drag it out the front door, but bees will utilize a pollen supplement if they need it going into spring months.   

good luck! good to read an update from you!

ps your campground looks awesome!
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Offline Marion

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Re: BEES AND COMPOST
« Reply #11 on: April 07, 2015, 09:08:41 am »
Thanks Riverbee. It is because of people like you who share their experiences so new beekeepers like us can feel successful.Really appreciate your advice.
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