Trying to generate good karma

[Bakersdozen]

I put on my Good Samaritan hat today.  I went over to a newbie's house to help him and his wife go through their 2 hives.   The wife is a student in one of my husband's classes.  After talking to them on the phone it was obvious they were floundering.  They had 2 colonies, one strong and one they were worried about.  We went through the "good" hive first because I was concerned about the possibility of transmitting ABF or EBF from the poor hive to the good hive.  In the good hive we saw many queen cups and two uncapped queen swarm cells.  There was frame after frame of capped worker brood and open brood.  We didn't see the queen.  Neither the newbie or I can see eggs in the cell, so we were happy with seeing young larvae. 
The newbie explained that two weeks ago the good hive was the weaker colony.  He had found two capped queen cells in the other colony and placed them in the now good hive.  I explained that there was a reason why that colony produced queen cells and capped them.  Beekeepers should always go through the colonies to see what is going on especially before making changes.
We went to the weak hive.  What they thought were residents were robber bees. There was nothing left but SMALL HIVE BEETLE LARVAE. It was the worst case of slime I ever saw.  NASTY! Not all frames were destroyed.  After freezing and proper storage some of the equipment will be usable.  The newbie was bummed,   :\'( but I tried to point out that it was not a complete loss equipment wise, although the brood boxes looked like something that had been found at an abandoned farm. 
We talked beekeeping basics for quite a while.  The newbies were confused about some of the basic concepts.  I repeatedly encouraged them to join the local bee club because these basics are covered in meetings.  I think they might join.  If I don't see them there, I doubt that I will make the effort again. 

[Wandering Man]

Good for you.  If you ever feel like making a trip to South Texas, I'd be glad to let you go through my hives.

I'm slowly getting to meet some of the other beeks in the area, and hope we can start at least meeting for coffee occasionally. 

In the mean time, for those of us who don't live near any bee clubs, forums like this are the best we can do.  It is really a blessing when we meet a seasoned beek like you who is willing to talk, look, listen and share.

-WM

[Jen]

Sharin' The Love Baker 

[apisbees]

Good job Baker I would question the 2 weeks previously pulling out the queen cells it seems awful quick for a colony to go down when the colony was still emerging brood. Maybe if they added an extra super to give the bees more room. To late in removing the queen cells and the colony swarmed anyway with no queen and no way to make a new one and with the hive under attack from SHB The remaining bees absconded and joined the weaker colony.
One can only speculate as to what happened. Pretty scary if SHB can take out a colony in 2 weeks!
Thanks for posting this it is very enlightening.

[Perry]

One of the things we stress most in the 2 weekend courses a friend and I put on, was that there is no real way of knowing what is going on in your hives without actually going in there!
When we get bees, we assume the responsibility for their welfare, just the same as any other animal or pet, and it is incumbent upon us to do regular inspections.

[Bakersdozen]

Good job Baker I would question the 2 weeks previously pulling out the queen cells it seems awful quick for a colony to go down when the colony was still emerging brood. Maybe if they added an extra super to give the bees more room. To late in removing the queen cells and the colony swarmed anyway with no queen and no way to make a new one and with the hive under attack from SHB The remaining bees absconded and joined the weaker colony.
One can only speculate as to what happened. Pretty scary if SHB can take out a colony in 2 weeks!
Thanks for posting this it is very enlightening.

I went over the scenario in my head as well.  I heard the husband tell the wife he killed them because he forgot to feed them 4 weeks ago.  I assured him that was not the case.  There was honey in there.  Some of it still salvageable.  They had made queen cells for a reason even if they did see the queen in that hive.  Possibly they didn't put the second brood box on in time.  Those queen cells might not have been capped for all I know. 
I think the what ever remained in the colony absconded, what population was left, judging from the condition of the bottom board. 
I honestly don't think he did a full inspection of either hive on a regular basis.  If he did, he may not have known what he was looking at.  I suggested he do an inspection on a weekly basis in order to learn. 

[lazy shooter]

One of the things we stress most in the 2 weekend courses a friend and I put on, was that there is no real way of knowing what is going on in your hives without actually going in there!
When we get bees, we assume the responsibility for their welfare, just the same as any other animal or pet, and it is incumbent upon us to do regular inspections.

I whole heartedly agree with the above, but a lot of people are poor stewards of their land and livestock.  My dad and the old time ranchers spoke disparagingly of ranchers that tried to "starve a profit" into livestock production.  It's the same with bees.  I gave my last horse away because I could no longer spend the time and energy to keep him in good shape.  I think that horse could have been sold for a few grand, but I gave him to a young lady that loved him and would take good care of him.  She also uses him for what he was bred to do.  I don't have the love of bees that many of you have, but I will take care of them or give them to someone who will.  I believe God put animals here for our use, but I also think he meant for us to take care of the animals that we used.

lazy 

[Lburou]

...If I don't see them there (the club meeting), I doubt that I will make the effort again.

When new people express interest in 'saving the bees', I assess their level of commitment and offer assistance accordingly. 

Beekeeping is not as easy as buying a gold fish and feeding it every day.  It is much more complicated.  I have expended too much energy trying to help people who just don't buy into a commitment to their own education, and then to the maintenance of the bees necessary for success.  BTW, I'm working on my 'attitude.'   ;-)

[iddee]

I don't think there's anything wrong with"our" attitude. 

[Les]

Good for you Baker!

[tecumseh]

a Lee snip..
Beekeeping is not as easy as buying a gold fish and feeding it every day.  It is much more complicated.  I have expended too much energy trying to help people who just don't buy into a commitment to their own education, and then to the maintenance of the bees necessary for success.  BTW, I'm working on my 'attitude.

my comments...
absolutely correct an at least to my way of thinking there is nothing wrong with your attitude Lee.  some folks build expectation that beekeeping is easy or that their mission in life is to save the bees... both of these expectation simply leads them to disappointment.  for myself I like to help folks who even in the worst of situation work real hard to help themselves.