OK, MS riverbee. It's Saturday and now I have time to answer all these
??
1.
Winter losses? 1 colony in late fall due to queen failure. 1 small late season swarm lost due to my stinkin' thinkin'. Last month I moved them from a nuc to a 10 frame with some frames of honey. They were robbed out because they couldn't defend their space.
2.
# of colonies going into winter? 6 + 1 small swarm. 5 colonies left.
3.
Why? Yes, see answer #2.
4.
Will I increase? Yes. Plan to do splits on 3 and have 2 packages on order.
5.
Equipment? Traditional 10 frame Langstroth deeps with medium supers, wood frames with plastic foundation, telescoping lids with a brick/rock on top. If I had it to do over, I would have started with 8 frame Langstroths because of my age. 10 frame deeps get heavier every year.
6.
7.
Goals? Do splits. Would like to try rearing queens, but don't feel I have the time available at the right time for queen rearing. More beekeeping education for myself is always a goal. I have a lot of wax that I would like to clean and melt so that I can do some projects. There is always something to learn especially in a field that is as vast as beekeeping.
8.
Queen rearing goals? See #7.
9. S
elf improvement goals? Finding and pinching queens. Also I am incorporating Growing Degree Days into my bloom record keeping. Growing Degree Days will make me more accurate in my bloom data.
10.
Genetics? Italians and Carnolians. This is going into my 3rd year with Carnolians and I am like them. I have 2 packages of Carnolians on order from a couple that have an excellent source in California. They take a horse trailer to California every year and bring back packages.
11.
Mite treatments? I try to rotate mite treatments. Last fall I used Apiguard. This spring I would like to use HopguardII or OA dribble. The more I learn about mite counts the more I realize you have to keep those mite counts knocked down. This will be the first year of treating in the spring. I am also going to treat the package bees 7 days after installation before they seal the brood.
12.
SHB? No quick solution. Keep strong colonies, use beetle traps of some kind consistently. This year I am using the Mann Lake beetle oil in my Beetle Jails. I will see if it is more attractive to SHB over vegetable oil.
13.
What did I learn? Lots but in the "I screwed up department" I learned to not give the bees more space than they can care for and defend.
14.
What has helped me improve my beekeeping skills? Attending local, monthly bee club meetings. We are always discussing what we should be doing at that time or learning important beekeeping skills. Some times these topics tend to be geared towards the 1st and 2nd year of beekeeping. To take it to the next level I have joined the state beekeeping club. That is an excellent source of knowledge from other members and the wonderful speakers the state club brings in. I enjoy meeting beekeepers from all over the state. Some of them are
really challenged.
15.
Changes this year? Add a spring mite treatment, stay on top of the SHB control. I also plan to change the name and label of my honey products. I want to change the name to a nickname we have for a grandson. I am also going to do some community educational volunteering at a neighborhood pollinator park.
16.
How did I get started in beekeeping? I had to keep up with my bigger sister! My older sister was given 2 colonies for her birthday or Mother's Day. I went over and observed. I was mesmerized. Shortly there after, I took a continuing education class on beekeeping. My sister and I then went to help an acquaintance pull honey. By then, it was too late. I was in deep and I joined the local bee club. At the local bee club I met kindred spirits and have never looked back. I have gotten involved with the club and have held an office for the last 6 years. I also volunteer for planning committees. It keeps me busy and out of trouble, especially in the spring.
Whew!!
