Hi,
This warm weather has certainly stimulated bee activity and at some point I
will need to move my TBH follower board to give them some more space. However,
I am concerned that the cold nights and morning frosts will chill the larger
space. Should I wait a bit longer to do this? If so, how much longer? They
have about 2 bars to expand into.
Also, I noticed a small amount (about a tablespoon) of liquid under the hive.
The removable floor is currently strapped tight to the hive and therefore
sealed, but when I loosened if off and agitated the floor gently, some more
liquid dripped out. I assume this is condensation? The colony seems heathy,
calm and busy, so not too concerned but just wondered what others think?
Should I just leave well alone?
Kerry
From: oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf
Of Eric Asher
Sent: 26 March 2020 12:17
To: oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [oxnatbees] Re: Beekeeping and Covid-19
Wise advice Paul.
Eric
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From: oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> on
behalf of Oxnatbees <oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxx>>
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2020 12:09:48 PM
To: oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>>
Subject: [oxnatbees] Beekeeping and Covid-19
The NBU has posted some guidance regarding beekeeping during the COVID-19
pandemic:
COVID-19 and Beekeeping
Update<http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/downloadNews.cfm?id=170>
OBKA have made a few more points. Amalgamating these and some other thoughts:
Key points:
* Swarms (1) - the NBU recommend you do all you can to minimise these.
Translation: regular invasive inspections; squash queen cells; pre-emptively
split colonies. This goes against our ethos of allowing the bees to follow
their natural lifecycle, and remember swarms are an important part of parasite
control because of the associated brood break. And in my experience, splits
don't stop swarms! Once the bees decide it is time to swarm they will do so,
and let's face it they will probably find a suitable cavity somewhere. What you
can do is set up your spare empty hives asap, and when warm enough
pre-emptively give your bees room to expand into their existing hive by moving
top bars (in TBHs) and adding boxes (in vertical hives) which should reduce the
number of swarms.
* Swarms (2) It should still be possible for some people to collect these
if they want to, observing suitable social distancing etc.
* Swarms (3) This season, we will still run a "swarms wanted" list but we
will have to do things a bit differently. For example if someone comes to my
house to pick up a swarm I have caught from my own hives, I will just tell them
where the box is and let them take it - but I don't plan to go out and about as
we have a vulnerable 84yr old with us.
* Maybe carry a copy of the NBU advice when travelling to an out apiary
just in case you are stopped by police.
This is going to be a very odd year and may accelerate the spread of "survivor"
traits due to more escaped swarms allowed to do their own thing.
Paul
