As the wet weather continues keeping the temperatures well above freezing, we often get visits from young families who wish to feed the hens, collect any eggs and then look at the bees.
Young Jonti is 3.1/2 years old , no fear, determined to explore what is going on in the world around him and look inside a Beehive and ask all those innocent well-meaning questions they always do.
The perspex sealed crown board is ideal as they can see the clustered colony and feel the heat produced above the colony. His Mum and Nan where a little jittery but he was fine. Now to find a Bee Suit that fits him in the winter sales….
Speaking of which, I hope those of you that are planning ahead have already got your orders in as these sale prices don’t last long whichever equipment supplier you decide to use.
In addition, time for a little refurbishment of my old but serviceable hives. They first come in, are thoroughly dried out then scraped, scorched and any necessary repairs sorted. Then a couple of coats of Teak Oil and good for another ten years.
LUDDINGTON Apiary:
We had three hives well provisioned at the start of the winter, all closed down with Woodpecker protection and Mouse Guards on.
But as I’m finding with my own Apiary, winter losses are taking their toll on numbers.
On examining the three colonies, we found two dead and one which appears to be thriving.
Of the two that died, both had plenty of food but the numbers of bees had just dwindled away even though one had evidence of recent brood rearing. They each had a super of honey left on the hive over the winter.
As advised previously the brood combs the small clusters had died on, were burnt and the remaining ones will be sterilised with Acetic acid fumes.
The complete hives are removed to the shed for storage and drying out ready for maintenance before the start of the active season.
Wasps:
After the decimation of many smaller colonies and Nucs by wasps this August-September gone, I’ve little time for the hibernating Queen wasps I’m finding after bringing in dry logs for the log burner.
They say 95% of them do not survive the winter, well if I can make it 96% so be it, although some of the naturalists amongst you may disagree.
So after explaining to a family of visiting children, common theme here, why Queen Wasps hibernate over winter and what they do in the spring, Her Majesty was dispatched away from their prying eyes. I’d had enough questions that day🙄
She died, but no body, no proof of how dispatched🥴
Memorial Bench for John SHEPPARD:
Janet SHEPPARD has donated a memorial bench to the Association in Memory of John, which the Trustees have agreed can be placed at our LUDDINGTON Apiary .
Once the weather has improved we will place down a couple of solid paving slabs and fix the bench to them, inviting Janet and her family to see it in place and in use.
Next Month:
