BUCKS COUNTY BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION

Looks like poor ventilation and/or even feeding when its too cold( introduces a ton of moisture in the hive).   The mold looks to be on uncapped honey frames.   Uncured before it got too cold to cure + cap.    This is one of the reasons we feed thicker syrup as the night temps get colder.

 Did this hive die over winter?    It is pretty common to see mold in dead outs because there no longer is any convection circulation.    A strong colony will clean that up that little bit of mold.    No big worries IMHO.    Others may have some comments in regards to cleaning up the frames before re-using.     
I’m curious about others thoughts and comments.

k

Best way to feed bees while away?

I am scheduled to get my bees this weekend (4/15), but have upcoming travel for work where I’ll be away for 2 weeks (5/1-5/14). What are my best options for keeping my bees fed/alive?

- will they be strong enough to fend for themselves by then?

- do I need to have plan to have someone help supplement them while away? If so, is there any process within club for hiring temporary beekeeper?

- are there any other considerations I need to think about (I.e. mite control)? Do I do a low level mite control pad while away or just some form of dribble treatment?

thank you,

Greg from Bedminster (1st year beekeeper)

Gregory wrote:

Best way to feed bees while away?

I am scheduled to get my bees this weekend (4/15), but have upcoming travel for work where I’ll be away for 2 weeks (5/1-5/14). What are my best options for keeping my bees fed/alive?

- will they be strong enough to fend for themselves by then?

- do I need to have plan to have someone help supplement them while away? If so, is there any process within club for hiring temporary beekeeper?

- are there any other considerations I need to think about (I.e. mite control)? Do I do a low level mite control pad while away or just some form of dribble treatment?

thank you,

Greg from Bedminster (1st year beekeeper)

Hi Greg,

I’m in Yardley. My bees have been bringing in pollen and nectar for a few weeks now. I would say that there’s enough natural resources presently available for your bees while your away. 

Sounds like you don’t have a queen in there. Mine get that way when they are requeening. 

Julie,

You can OA a newly caught swarm.    I think its a not a bad idea but do it asap before the queen starts laying again and you have capped cells.  The swarm can be managed like a new package.   Keep in mind , the oa treatment does not penetrate/not effective to mites inside of capped cells- thats where the majority of mites will be found in a hive- thats where they reproduce.  
Generally a better plan to wash to check mite levels first.   Then treat  if needed- new swarms you really dont want to impact the population or risk washing a queen if you can‘t find her.    

For the record- I have never treated a swarm until after it was established in a hive where I could assess the condition and determine the needed rx.
I hope this helps.   Others might have other thoughts  - I’m curious to their thought processes about treating swarms too.

Kurt