August In The Apiary
I’m Improving … Slowly
I feel like I’m getting better at this beekeeping malarkey. I’m better able to observe a colony and determine if it is OK or not OK, i.e. probably queen-less. I’m also getting more confident in not inspecting the hive if it’s looking OK. I’m also learning each year about varroa treatments and feeding. I’m getting THERE.
Two August Swarms
I have caught four of my own swarms this year with the latest being on 7th and 12th August (I suspect 12 August swarm was headed by virgin queen from the same hive that swarmed on 7th August). Basically, my two strong colonies have swarmed multiple times this summer.
I am now up to 5 hives and 2 nucs. Might consider selling the nucs if they are in good condition. 4-5 hives is my ideal.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am going to change my swarm control method with the anti-swarm approach.
Ross Rounds Section Honey
I harvested 8 rounds of section honey. Hurrahh!
Feeding
I fed colonies as they looked short and I wanted to be in a good place to start Apiguard varroa treatment which takes 4 weeks during which I can’t feed the bees. Feeders now removed. I am aiming for the hives to weigh 15Kg each side by end-October. I have written more about Feeding Bees and in My Beekeeping Calendar.
Varroa Treatment
All but one hive has a laying Queens so started Apiguard treatment where I could. Could not see how to apply to the two nucs and did not apply to the weak out-apiary colony or the queenless colony. If needs must I can also apply MAQs later in season. I have written more about Varroa Management.
Tidying Up
Used hot air gun to sterilise wooden hive parts and queen excluders.
Plans For September
- In 2 weeks time I’ll need to apply a second Apiguard treatment
- I am hoping to not need to feed the bees further, and will start weighing the hives from mid-September (aiming for at least 15Kg each side of hive by end October)
- Hope Queen-less hive creates an emergency Queen that manages to mate (grateful for any thoughts on this)
Postscript – the thinking on the BBKA forum is that my frame of eggs should successfully become a mated queen.
Photos Of August Beekeeping
Read More
- Hive Records
- My Honey Yields – I update this page with my, national and south west honey yields
- My Beekeeping Calendar
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I’m never sure where the advice not to feed during Apiguard treatment comes from (perhaps the instructions?). However, you can do both simultaneously without a problem – at least, that’s what I used to do when feeding fondant (http://theapiarist.org/feeding-fondant/). If you use syrup it might take a bit more organisation. For the nucs you can always divide a sachet of Apiguard in half. Just scrape it out onto a piece of waxed paper and lay it across the top bars.
Thanks David. I have now given the 2 nucs some Apiguard. And what do you think the probability is of one of my eggs becoming a mated queen – bearing in mind I put the frame of eggs in the hive today (29 August)?