Beekeeping

[ponytug]

Just so I am clear on the trap geometry, that funnel, is just a funnel, and there can be back and forth traffic? (So the queen will move into the new "snazzier" quarters?)

Would the small queenless swarm have lost the queen somewhere in swarming, or is a half that got left behind, or the group that didn't follow directions well, or...?

All the best,

Peter

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Just so I am clear on the trap geometry, that funnel, is just a funnel, and there can be back and forth traffic? (So the queen will move into the new "snazzier" quarters?)

Would the small queenless swarm have lost the queen somewhere in swarming, or is a half that got left behind, or the group that didn't follow directions well, or...?

All the best,

Peter

So, the way bees locate, when they pass through the funnel, they find it almost impossible to find their way back in. It's a physiological thing. Not so much "snazzier".

The queenless swarm was cast during a very rainy period. They were on this tree for three days before we grabbed them... So best guess is they were left behind. They were a small swarm. It could be any number of things.

Extracted the last of the 100 pounds from the winter dead outs, I'll be purifying beeswax from the cappings soon.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Washed the wax, now to purify it.

 

[fishin coyote]

Just got back from retrieving a swarm trap. It’s been slow here so far this season, not sure if it’s because of all the rain or what. I’ve had scouts on 4 of the 5 traps out but only picked up one plus the group that moved in a few weeks ago. Supposed to get a stretch of dry weather so maybe that will spur on some swarms.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I opened a hive that I saw a swarm land in on the 8th. Keep in mind we use extra deep frames that hold 8-10 pounds of honey each. I'll include a photo. The bees have already drawn out 7, and I watched a queen emerge just as I pulled a frame from the box!!!

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

From uncapping about 30 frames, we have enough bees wax for 250 of our lip balms. We usually sell 200-300 per year.

Right now I have a total of about 700g, so enough for 500.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Started bottling another 100 pounds today!

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I was going to bottle some of mine from last summer and found that it had started to ferment.... Sad day for me. There was probably 3-1/2 to 4 gallons left that I was holding.

 

[Torvy]

I was going to bottle some of mine from last summer and found that it had started to ferment.... Sad day for me. There was probably 3-1/2 to 4 gallons left that I was holding.

So you're making mead instead?

 

[ponytug]

Or melomel! I used to make a raspberry melomel that was very popular with my friends at the time.

Lots of options, but perhaps not as readily sold as the fermenting honey.

All the best, Peter

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

My trap out has a full three frames of bees in it, and they are storing nectar and pollen! Time to add brood. The solid funnel seems to be working very well.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I was going to bottle some of mine from last summer and found that it had started to ferment.... Sad day for me. There was probably 3-1/2 to 4 gallons left that I was holding.

I plan to make some melomel this year. Honey is very hygroscopic, so it's easy for it to go above 18% moisture and spoil