Already Winter!

Hives ready for winter

November 25, 2014

A lot happened since August! We drove our son to college 3 months ago, and we became all of a sudden empty nesters. I thought I would have more time, it seems that there is none. I have neglected my blog but not my bees.

I wrapped up the study on mites with the generous help of Gayle,  what a trouper she was. There were days where we were melting away , it was so hot and humid. But we did it.
The study was about following the varroa mite count over the season, and to try to prevent an "invasion".
Here  are our results: mites/24 hours. Below 10-15 is the goal
August
Hive 1: 7.3----Hive 2: 2.6----Hive 3: 4----Hive 4: 34
September
Hive 1: 5.9----Hive 2: 6.8----Hive 3: 9.6----Hive 4: 44
October
Hive 1: 41----Hive 2: 48----Hive 3: 76.3----Hive 4: 156

As you can see, hive 4 had already critical. I treated the colony with Hopguard. The following month, the mite count was still climbing. I did another round of Hopguard.
Now in October, the mite count for all colonies was out of control. I decided to use Apivar. Then November came and winter happened! I did not have time to do a last count. I hope the bees are all OK.

I fed the colonies with 2:1 sugar syrup, until it was too cold and the syrup froze.

On November 7, Julie and Michelle helped me prepare the colonies for winter. I can tell you the all four hives were pretty heavy; that is a good thing. It means there is a lot of store (honey and pollen) for the honey bees to eat during the next few months.

November 15, Liz drove the big truck to get few hay bales! She helped me built the Big Wall to protect the hives this winter. We had a good laugh stacking the frozen bales from last year, they were stuck to the ground and we pulled, and pulled with all our might...the bales stayed put...we fell in the snow on our behind! It was a priceless moment!

On the picture, starting on the left is hive 1, 2, ...
This is my prediction for the chance of survival of the colonies until next Spring: Hive 1: 50% , Hive 2&3: 90% Hive 4: 0%
Why? I looked at 2 important factors, the bees population and the food stored.
Hive 1: medium size and good amount of food
Hive 2 & 3: enormous amount of bees and abundant amount of food
Hive 4: Few bees, and medium amount of food and battle with Varroa mites all summer.

Russian hive Nov. 7

The Russian hive had lots of bees, and lots of food stored. I am very optimistic that it will survive.

It was a very busy season, and a busy Fall but I did enjoy every minute. I wished my bees to stay warm and that I would see them next Spring!

To all of you I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!