Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Bee Boy on March 22, 2005, 01:54:38 pm

Title: *SOB
Post by: Bee Boy on March 22, 2005, 01:54:38 pm

Well when I went out side to feed the food to my bees i found very few live ones and they looked like they were on their way out.....sigh* its so discouraging. Does anybody have any ideas why this could be? There is honey all around them even under them and there was sugar water and the hive was wrapped. THe funny thing is that two weeks ago there was a huge cluster, now its like non-existant.


HELP!!!!!


Bee Boy

Title: *SOB
Post by: Horns Pure Honey on March 22, 2005, 06:05:16 pm

Could be trachea mites? I have heard of them doing that for that reason. Or since we both live in the same state when we had that warm day last week, sunday I think, they could have swarmed without you noticing, bye :?

Title: *SOB
Post by: Robo on March 22, 2005, 09:39:56 pm

Bee Boy,

It is hard to give a diagnosis with the limited details provided.  Are there any signs of dark brown fecal stains in & outside the hive?  Are there a lot of dead bees in the hive,  or did they just disappear (left the hive to die)?  Did you treat for tracheal mites in the fall?  Check the bottom board for dead varroa mites.

Title: *SOB
Post by: Horns Pure Honey on March 23, 2005, 12:48:41 am

Now that I read robos response I see he is right, many diff things may have cuased this. But if there is no dark brown spots and such I would say the mites got them or they swarmed, prob swarm. You did say that not many where in the hive right? bye

Title: *SOB
Post by: Robo on March 23, 2005, 10:22:41 am

I highly doubt they swarmed, it is too early.  You would see swarm cells and there still would be more than a handful of bees left.

Title: *SOB
Post by: Anonymous on March 23, 2005, 11:01:56 am

I doubt they swarmed too. The weather has been just to rotten for them to build up strong enough to even think about swarming yet.
 :D Al

Title: *SOB
Post by: Jay on March 23, 2005, 04:27:16 pm

Not the right time of year for swarms.

Title: *SOB
Post by: Horns Pure Honey on March 23, 2005, 06:32:48 pm

A guy here in my town who is a  mail man and local bee keeper has already cuaght a swarm on are last nice day. bye :D

Title: *SOB
Post by: jxbeeman on March 23, 2005, 09:59:20 pm

idk,  all i know is it is cold here and there is still snow on the ground (New York).  personally i don't think that any bee's are swarming in this particular area at the current time.  tonight it is snowing and there is about 3 inches on the ground already and there will be another 2 - 3 more.  later

Title: *SOB
Post by: Lesli on March 24, 2005, 07:26:54 am

I'm beginning to think this is the winter that will not end!

Title: *SOB
Post by: Beth Kirkley on March 24, 2005, 08:50:32 am

I did see a weather report just recently that this year we're going to see below normal temps in parts of the northen US, and above normal temps in the western part.

Looked to me like.... what we keep seeing.... lots of rain/snow/ice in the north, and more forest fires in the west.

Beth

Title: *SOB
Post by: Rich V on March 24, 2005, 10:24:02 am

Northern Illinois. this morn. the temp. is at 31 degrees. I am wondering if  its ever gonna warm up,and my bees will be here soon.

Rich V.

Title: *SOB
Post by: Jerrymac on March 24, 2005, 11:03:56 am

Today at 7:53 am was 50 F 7mph winds. At 8:53 it was 53 F 9mph winds.

Title: *SOB
Post by: Jay on March 24, 2005, 11:15:34 am

This is thursday March 24 and I just got in from shoveling 2 inches of snow that fell last night!! :x
I am sick and tired of moving snow!!!

Title: *SOB
Post by: Jerrymac on March 24, 2005, 11:22:58 am

Don't move snow, Move south> :roll:

Title: *SOB
Post by: thegolfpsycho on March 24, 2005, 12:12:18 pm

Nature brung it, let nature take it away

Title: *SOB
Post by: Lesli on March 24, 2005, 06:57:54 pm

Nature took away most of the overnight snowfall. Yeah! Gosh I'm tired of this...