Gave up

[Dunkel]

I need to pull nucs from about ten hives just to open them up from my over feeding last fall and a mild winter. I have given up on the weather for grafting. Cold and severe winds have put my grafting hopes on hold.

 I did how ever pull a queen from a booming hive. Hoping for a few queen cells by next week to relieve a little pressure.  Snow in the forecast puts a damper on  things.  Drone brood and queen cups say it's coming but weather man says I'm crazy.

I am second guessing my decision to pull her but they should pull some great cells, that is if placed where I can get them. Probably should have notched some.  I guess I'm just venting but I am ready to get going.

[LazyBkpr]

Agree with you completely....   bees are already ahead of the normal time line here, I NEED to get into the hives, but HIGH winds and 50 degree temps are holding me back. There will come a point when I HAVE to get into them, cool weather and high winds or not. Not looking forward to that, but very glad I have GOOD bee suits.

[Dunkel]

Checked on the hive and they have drawn 11 queen cells. Some of the best weren't capped yet, but almost.  I am going to make up some nucs on Tuesday.  Getting the cloake board ready for next weekend to start grafting.

[Perry]

Are there drones flying in your area yet?

[Dunkel]

Yes, Lots in each hive, and lots of hatching brood.

[rookie2531]

I too would have grafted, but the weather put a stop to that. I did however, sell my overwintered nucs on Easter weekend and split the cells up from that. They should be mating tomorrow through Wednesday. I hope some of those smaller nucs was able to keep.

[Dunkel]

I'm going to try to make up nucs tomorrow evening.  Kinda worried though.  Wife had a virus all night, every hour on the hour.  I'm not feeling right tonight.  Maybe baked beans 

[Dunkel]

Made up 5 yesterday, weather turning cold sure messed me up.  I think I have already had a swarm and two of the ones I pulled had swarm cells.  I found the queen in one still and pulled her. Going to try to cut out cells today, and go through others if I am able.

 Pulled my back out hooking up a trailer .  I can't do in the spring what I could do in the fall.  My only dread about raising queens, is that something always comes up when the time comes to place them.  Oh well, whats life without frustration

[Lburou]

Are you better today Dunkel?  I hope so. 

Have you considered an artificial swarm?  You can end up with a NUC if that is what you want, or yo can recombine later on.

[Zweefer]

Pulling for you Dunkel (absolutely no pun intended) Hope you are feeling better!

[Dunkel]

Thanks guys, advil was kicking in about the time my dad came back with the trailer.  Loaded with three ton of fertilize. Dad can't hear so well especially in a diesel truck.  I have no idea and he doesn't either when the blow out occured   I didn't know rims could get so small.   Oh well. warming up for bees   This should be a hoot.

 btw Lbrou I did put the one in a nuc yesterday.  I hope I can remember which one. I'm afraid I will have more today in that same condition or worse.

[Lburou]

For giggles, I've linked a cute explanation of the artificial swarm HERE.  Check it out! You must download it to see the hive manipulations.   

[Dunkel]

I just watched a few videos on a taranov swarm method that sort of seems similar.  Very interesting.

On second glance it is different, I may have to try that in a day or so on a couple.  Thanks Lburou!


I cut the queen cells and got them placed.  Back did pretty good until I went to put on the parking brake, back to square one.

[Dunkel]

I need to start moving a few for some room on either side to try that.  Saw some queen cups in about three or four this evening that may of had eggs.  On my knees I could not get the sun just right \  Going to have to pack some cheaters