Did a hive check today

[old243]

My two hives have turned into 5 now. We did two splits earlier. and I caught a swarm several weeks ago, not a big swarm, but checked today. Nice frame of brood and a nice big queen. Very gentle as well

 Two of the hives are very nice to work with. I was taking my time and they were quite tole


rent. They are packing in the honey. I put on a third super, as they were getting bunged up. The other two hives are completely different, they have two supers and are producing well. But they are mean as cat $HIT. I had my 4 wheeler to carry my boxes, etc. They followed me right back to my shop. I think they are going to get moved, to the back of my farm and get nicer  queens. My wife and grandson got stung a couple of weeks ago, needless to say, Me and the bees were on the bad books for a day or so. I might introduce , the swarm queen to my cranky hive and get rid of old grumpy. Then let the swarm make a new queen. Lots of fun  and learning as I go along. old243

[bk]

I'd move them if that is an option and get to re-queening as soon as you can

A new queen usually makes a difference, but the genes from "her royal pissyness" takes a while to run it's course.  This time of year the bees have a six week life span.  So within that time frame her offspring will be gone and the new genes will be in play.

Sometimes a pissy hive doesn't easily accept a new queen - no idea why, but be ready for that possibility.  Hurts when they kill your new $30 queen.

Good luck old243, and keep us posted.

[pokeyjeeper]

Thank you for sharing that sucks you have some bees that don't want to play nice requeen them mist her with some sugar water when you put her in I've read that works to get the hive to except her better but I'm new at this and never done it good luck

[old243]

Checked my hives again today. Took the swarm that ,I had caught earlier, moved them about a hundred feet. Left them shut in for a day. Placed a leafy branch in front of the entrance, then let them out. They are homing to the new location, but seem to go to the previous location do a dog leg and arrive at the new location..Today moved them into a 10 frame box. There are about 3 frames of bees, lots of brood, saw the queen. Will leave them a while now as they are busy, doing their thing.


My gentle hives are really packing the honey in, added another super , they almost filled one in a week.


My pissy bees each got another super. I think I will , try and get along with them, just leave them alone , as much as possible. If they make it through the winter, they are likely survivors. I have a good  bee suit, and am getting more used to them. They are really packing the honey in, have to get more frames or take some honey off, before long. Interesting hobby. old243

[pokeyjeeper]

Sounds like your girls are doing great going to check mine on Monday again

[old243]

Checked some of my hives yesterday. My swarm that I caught earlier , is doing well, lots of brood, and bees. My split hive was completely full in a 10 frame deep. added another deep box. There is a lot of necter and pollen coming in. There is a large canola field out in flower close by. They are all heading that way.


Today intend to put bee escapes on the other hives. Will take the supers off, in a couple of days ,and extract, the honey. Apparently canola honey sets up quickly and is harder to extract, if you leave it in the supers too long. Interesting creatures, these bees. old243

[old243]

Did a major overhaul yesterday. Took the honey supers off, had 5 boxes, of honey.  removed the bee escapes . Got rid of our, pissy queen, split the nasty hive  and put the bees ,on two quiet hives , have them shut in for a couple of days , to think about being nasty. I will then put in a newspaper between the boxes, and let them combine with the gentle hive.  Hope this will improve, their attitude. The field bees and brood will be gone before fall in any case. We also moved them , farther away from the house, not nice when they chase ,you into the shop and house. 


Our golden rod is starting to flower so there should still be a honey flow. Interesting stuff . old 243