Author Archives: Dave Strickler

But my bees aren’t drinking it. I’ve tried putting shallow water with 1/4″ rocks in it, and the bees aren’t taking it; no matter where I put it. I’ve tried within 10 feet of the hive, and more than 10 feet. I’ve tried in their flight path, and outside their flight path. I’ve tried fresh water … Continue reading »

Today I added a Super to make room for growth. While the typical swarming season is behind us, the ladies seem very busy, and almost out of the room. There are still three frames of wax foundation in their original hive that they have not expanded horizontally into, but I’ve read bees like to go … Continue reading »

My second full inspection went well, and it’s clear the ladies have been busy. Every frame I examined had more of what it was supposed to have, and seemed pretty full at that. Clearly I have a healthy, laying queen, and all is well in the hive, even though the bees still had not taken … Continue reading »

The weather has been warm, but with sunny days, and has have kept the ladies happy and busy. I’ll do a hive inspection in a few days, so I’m trying to leave them alone so they can be as efficient as possible. They are still taking syrup, but only a quart every week or so, … Continue reading »

I decided it was time to get the kids involved, so I bought a suit for them, and took Hailey out for her first hive examination. So as not to be overwhelming, I only lifted out a single frame, but she got to see all the bees working on the frame, and a few dipping … Continue reading »

I took at a look at the hive at about 2pm today, and found a ton of bees buzzing around the entrance. Considering I rarely see more than 3 on the landing at one time, this looked more like a robbery in progress. But since I didn’t see a single dead bee after it had … Continue reading »

I had what I believe were sugar ants, the same ones that I have seen in my kitchen, on the hive legs and even going in and out of the hive entrance. I saw this for two days, but as of day three they are gone. Very strange as I did nothing. Maybe the bees … Continue reading »

I had removed the syrup feeder a few days ago as they just weren’t drinking it. I replaced it today, just in case the last batch had gone bad, and they drained half of it today. Clearly this batch was much more interesting. I’ve also noticed some sugar ants have been climbing up the side … Continue reading »

Now that I am getting more acquainted with what should be on a frame in a hive, let me share the basics. The area outlined in green is the brood – the babies. In this picture it’s a burnt-organge color, and it’s “capped” or sealed. When the larvae emerge, they will poke their way though … Continue reading »

Today was a milestone, as I did my first inspection of the hive; well of any hive that is. While I’ve seen it done before, there’s a big difference in doing it, and truth be told, I was pretty nervous. I had no idea what I would see other than a lot of bees in … Continue reading »