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Author Topic: Queen Evaluation  (Read 8408 times)

Offline 10framer

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #20 on: October 26, 2013, 10:09:51 am »
i think i can count the times i've seen snow accumulate on the fingers on one hand.  maybe a dozen flurries besides that.  i can only remember lows in the single digits a couple of times.  the bees are working now and will be again by january.  at this point i'd let them go until spring.

Offline RHBee

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #21 on: October 26, 2013, 10:20:55 am »
i think i can count the times i've seen snow accumulate on the fingers on one hand.  maybe a dozen flurries besides that.  i can only remember lows in the single digits a couple of times.  the bees are working now and will be again by january.  at this point i'd let them go until spring.

Thanks Rob, That's my plan. No more splits. I will equalize though and soon.
Later,
Ray

Offline T Beek

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #22 on: October 26, 2013, 10:37:55 am »
 :laugh:  I remember heading home one time from Ft Benning in the early 70's.  Atlanta was getting a rare snow storm as I drove through.  Traffic was as light as I've ever seen, besides law enforcement, city workers, tow trucks and those in ditches and stuck in the meridians.  Stopped a few miles north of the city, a Ford Pinto (remember them) slid into a truck while passing (passed me about 2 minutes earlier :roll: and was stuck under the tractor trailer.  The driver of the pinto was an overweight woman and she was stuck real good but OK.  It could have been much worse.  Me and the truck driver squeezed into her 2 door (passenger side was accessible, drivers not) stayed with her until the ambulance arrived......always wondered whatever happened to her.  I think the city got under 3" of snow that time  (we've already gotten that much up here so far but its melted).

I really don't mind the snow but the cold can be taxing to say the least.

Southern snow fall is rare and therefore dangerous...............best to stay home when weather is bad.......I do now days :)  Sorry to stray................ :embarassed:

Agreed; Wait till Spring.....what other options remain?  I think it will be OK IMHO  It seems you did everything right.  

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Offline riverrat

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #23 on: October 26, 2013, 10:51:59 am »
You mentioned the hive overwintered in a small cluster. When I had russians this was one of there traits. Also slow to kick in in the spring but built up super fast when they did kick in
never take the top off a hive on a day that you wouldn't want the roof taken off your house

Offline RHBee

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Re: Re: Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #24 on: October 26, 2013, 01:27:49 pm »
You mentioned the hive overwintered in a small cluster. When I had russians this was one of there traits. Also slow to kick in in the spring but built up super fast when they did kick in

Yeah RR, That's one reason why I'm not going to stick with them. Just a little unnerving how they keep QC's all year. Extremely rapid growth rate in spring makes swarm control difficult. They do take brood breaks in a dearth which controls mites but, their differences can drive me nuts. I'll stick with 1 race, mainly Italian muts. When you want to efficiently and effectively manage 200 colonies race inconsistencies are something you don't need. SOME DAY.
Later,
Ray

Offline 10framer

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #25 on: October 26, 2013, 01:36:54 pm »
tbeek, i'll be the first to admit we don't drive well in it (we can show you a thing or two in slick muddy roads, though).  i can only think of two times we had snow over 2 or 3 inches (72 and 94 if i remember right).  we used to get ice storms in march now and then when i was a kid.  seems like the week after christmas it was cold enough for ponds to ice over in 98 and 99 and we had a cold snap in 09 and that's about it.  march was much colder than january and february this year.  there were highs in the 70's last december and this january.  i was concerned about walking my land because of rattlesnakes in the dead of winter.  
  

Offline T Beek

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #26 on: October 26, 2013, 02:15:32 pm »
tbeek, i'll be the first to admit we don't drive well in it (we can show you a thing or two in slick muddy roads, though).  i can only think of two times we had snow over 2 or 3 inches (72 and 94 if i remember right).  we used to get ice storms in march now and then when i was a kid.  seems like the week after christmas it was cold enough for ponds to ice over in 98 and 99 and we had a cold snap in 09 and that's about it.  march was much colder than january and february this year.  there were highs in the 70's last december and this january.  i was concerned about walking my land because of rattlesnakes in the dead of winter.  
  

Rattle snakes, copperheads and cotton mouths....I sure don't miss those guys.

It must've been that 72 storm I experienced then.  I spent a good part of my military life in GA.

 :laugh: In our region we actually have FIVE seasons  :?.  Our "mud season" begins with the winter thaw and doesn't end until the frost finally leaves the ground (its one big reason we spend so much on roads up here).  Trucks over a certain tonage are banned from many county and side roads (only school buses and emergency vehicles are allowed for up to 6 weeks or longer) so I have a pretty good idea about the hazards (and fun) of mud truckin'  :-D 

The weather is something we can always talk about, heh?  Likely the most discussed topic going....... :-\ anywhere.....
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Offline 10framer

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #27 on: October 26, 2013, 02:19:06 pm »
i've been in north dakota in november in the rain.  would that be similar to your mud season?

Offline RHBee

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #28 on: October 26, 2013, 02:31:25 pm »
tbeek, i'll be the first to admit we don't drive well in it (we can show you a thing or two in slick muddy roads, though).  i can only think of two times we had snow over 2 or 3 inches (72 and 94 if i remember right).  we used to get ice storms in march now and then when i was a kid.  seems like the week after christmas it was cold enough for ponds to ice over in 98 and 99 and we had a cold snap in 09 and that's about it.  march was much colder than january and february this year.  there were highs in the 70's last december and this january.  i was concerned about walking my land because of rattlesnakes in the dead of winter.  
  

Rattle snakes, copperheads and cotton mouths....I sure don't miss those guys.

It must've been that 72 storm I experienced then.  I spent a good part of my military life in GA.

 :laugh: In our region we actually have FIVE seasons  :?.  Our "mud season" begins with the winter thaw and doesn't end until the frost finally leaves the ground (its one big reason we spend so much on roads up here).  Trucks over a certain tonage are banned from many county and side roads (only school buses and emergency vehicles are allowed for up to 6 weeks or longer) so I have a pretty good idea about the hazards (and fun) of mud truckin'  :-D 

The weather is something we can always talk about, heh?  Likely the most discussed topic going....... :-\ anywhere.....

ln March of '72 a storm dumped 18" of snow in our yard in Pinopolis SC. The entire area was paralyzed. My folks are from a small WV town called Richwood. Dad took me out and taught me how to drive in the stuff. That has come in handy several times.
Later,
Ray

Offline T Beek

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #29 on: October 26, 2013, 07:27:23 pm »
i've been in north dakota in november in the rain.  would that be similar to your mud season?

Close but we have lots of lakes, rivers, glacial hills and vast forest, not much open area around here.  Lake Superior effects our weather quite a bit depending on wind directions.

We usually get at least a couple 15-20" snow storms each season, but they probably average 4-6".  Over a 7 month period of potential snow accumulation it can add up.

Why am I talking about winter??  :embarassed:  it really hasn't even begun yet, we hit 44F today, darn near a heat wave!. 

One of my favorite parts of winter IMO is fishing through the ice.  Usually we can get on the lakes by Thanksgiving but its gotten later every year for several in a row.  Cold fish is best IMHO.  Can't wait...........there I go again.......I must just be getting my brain ready..... :)
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Offline 10framer

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #30 on: October 26, 2013, 11:39:51 pm »
i have dreams about fishing starting around february and i hunt deer in my sleep starting around september.  i've also inspected hives in my sleep more than once. 
i've flown over wisconsin, i do remember all the lakes now that you mention it.  i've set my feet on the ground all around wisconsin but never in it.  minnesota, indiana, illinois, and michigan but never wisconsin.

Offline T Beek

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #31 on: October 27, 2013, 07:04:57 am »
 8-)  Perhaps you'll make it yet.  No better fishing in the world IMO, hunting ain't bad either.
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Offline riverrat

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #32 on: October 27, 2013, 10:39:46 am »
The ole forum hasnt changed much since I havent been around for awhile :-D How does one go from queen evaluation to where we are now in the thread
never take the top off a hive on a day that you wouldn't want the roof taken off your house

Offline RHBee

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #33 on: October 27, 2013, 01:34:04 pm »
You beat a subject to death then it turns into a chat room. Sounds like an efficient recycling method.
Later,
Ray

Offline T Beek

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #34 on: October 28, 2013, 05:58:31 am »
 :lau:The last few days of being off topic  :imsorry: were better than many of the days before....What's different?
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Offline RHBee

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #35 on: October 28, 2013, 06:23:20 am »
:lau:The last few days of being off topic  :imsorry: were better than many of the days before....What's different?

Nothing to be sorry about. I guess Finski and I kinda beat the whole inspection thing in the ground. All that could have been done via PM's. But, then no one would have been able to share in the fun. :-D
Later,
Ray

Offline 10framer

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Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #36 on: October 28, 2013, 09:46:20 am »
at least we aren't slinging insults.  also, i think everyone agrees to leave the queen in place for now.

Offline RHBee

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Re: Re: Queen Evaluation
« Reply #37 on: October 28, 2013, 01:50:40 pm »
Yeah Rob, If you start yelling at me that might hurt my feelings. If I had any.;D
Later,
Ray