News Item: : Saturday 3rd April 2010 Apiary Meeting
(Category: Apiary Report)
Posted by Sally
Sunday 04 April 2010 - 08:49:13
Once again a very cold and wet monthly meeting - when 24 members attended – which was excellent – they only came for the tea and cakes really!!
Colin Clark, our Chairman, did the introduction to this month’s meeting and gave a warm welcome to everyone. He then handed over to Sarah More who gave a very informative talk on what to do before and during a first inspection of our hives.
The main points are on first inspection – is there a laying Queen – are there eggs and larvae – is she a drone layer – is there enough stores and space for expansion – do any of the frames need replacing? If new frames are needed it is important to make sure that they are made up square so that the bees draw the comb evenly and maximise the useable space. It may be necessary to change the frames – due to a high varroa count or if they are very black or old. The wax becomes darker with age and use so that older, blacker wax indicates a build up of debris in the wax resulting in smaller cells and smaller bees. This time of year is usually best to change the frames and foundation but the weather needs to be a little warmer.
A dummy board at one end of the frames is a good idea because it stops the bees being rolled up when taking out a frame – it is best to keep it at the same end of the brood box - the brood frames themselves need to be kept in the same order – so as not to disturb the brood nest or the bees’ dance floor – these are usually the frames with the wax attached only to the top bar, the wax around the bottom and sides of the frames having been removed by the bees so that the vibrations of the bee dance can be relayed to the other flying bees.
Sarah advised us to never destroy a Queen Cell – the bees make them for a purpose – an artificial swarm can be made up - to make another colony.
Record keeping is an essential part of bee keeping – it cannot be stressed enough the importance of records for each individual colony – to enable a diagnosis to be ascertained if there is disease or any other problem.
At the Apiary
Supers that had been over-wintered under the brood chambers were removed - these frames were cleaned up and the super boxes were scorched before being stored in the New Shed.
All colonies were assessed for stores and all was well – fondant had been given to supplement the colonies the previous week and most of it had been taken in to the brood chambers.
Varroa counts were made – the trays had been put in 7 days before and counts were
less than 2 mites per day - the debris on the trays also indicates what the bees are up to.
If the weather improves it is hoped an initial inspection to assess the queen etc will be possible next Saturday when a group from the rota meets at the apiary.
This news item is from West Dorset Beekeepers
( http://westdorsetbees.org.uk/news.php?extend.28 )
(Category: Apiary Report)
Posted by Sally
Sunday 04 April 2010 - 08:49:13
Once again a very cold and wet monthly meeting - when 24 members attended – which was excellent – they only came for the tea and cakes really!!
Colin Clark, our Chairman, did the introduction to this month’s meeting and gave a warm welcome to everyone. He then handed over to Sarah More who gave a very informative talk on what to do before and during a first inspection of our hives.
The main points are on first inspection – is there a laying Queen – are there eggs and larvae – is she a drone layer – is there enough stores and space for expansion – do any of the frames need replacing? If new frames are needed it is important to make sure that they are made up square so that the bees draw the comb evenly and maximise the useable space. It may be necessary to change the frames – due to a high varroa count or if they are very black or old. The wax becomes darker with age and use so that older, blacker wax indicates a build up of debris in the wax resulting in smaller cells and smaller bees. This time of year is usually best to change the frames and foundation but the weather needs to be a little warmer.
A dummy board at one end of the frames is a good idea because it stops the bees being rolled up when taking out a frame – it is best to keep it at the same end of the brood box - the brood frames themselves need to be kept in the same order – so as not to disturb the brood nest or the bees’ dance floor – these are usually the frames with the wax attached only to the top bar, the wax around the bottom and sides of the frames having been removed by the bees so that the vibrations of the bee dance can be relayed to the other flying bees.
Sarah advised us to never destroy a Queen Cell – the bees make them for a purpose – an artificial swarm can be made up - to make another colony.
Record keeping is an essential part of bee keeping – it cannot be stressed enough the importance of records for each individual colony – to enable a diagnosis to be ascertained if there is disease or any other problem.
At the Apiary
- Please ensure that if you wear your own bee suit it is clean
- If association suits and gloves are worn please return them to the clothing shed before leaving
- Everyone to wear disposable gloves either on their own or on top of any other gloves (disposable gloves are provided at the apiary)
- Only association hive tools and equipment to be used – to prevent any disease problems
- All hive tools used are to be put in the white bucket provided with a washing soda mix (I kilo of WS to a gallon of water) to sterilise
- The 3 sheds at the apiary all have separate uses
a. Big New Shed – clean equipment only
b. Small Shed – Clothing only
c. Old shed – dirty equipment
Supers that had been over-wintered under the brood chambers were removed - these frames were cleaned up and the super boxes were scorched before being stored in the New Shed.
All colonies were assessed for stores and all was well – fondant had been given to supplement the colonies the previous week and most of it had been taken in to the brood chambers.
Varroa counts were made – the trays had been put in 7 days before and counts were
less than 2 mites per day - the debris on the trays also indicates what the bees are up to.
If the weather improves it is hoped an initial inspection to assess the queen etc will be possible next Saturday when a group from the rota meets at the apiary.
This news item is from West Dorset Beekeepers
( http://westdorsetbees.org.uk/news.php?extend.28 )