I am hoping to find a good place to discuss my beekeeping experiences. This begins my 4th year keeping bees. I am interested in natural (sometimes called backward) beekeeping. I started with small cell bees and assume they are still so (If the queen mates with larger wild bees then what?) I have never used any 'treatments' natural or otherwise. I have seen one Varroa mite, no nosema, a moderate SHB problem in one hive where I used traps and 'beetle plucking' and that has really helped. I am working through my box of foundation,with foundationless hives as a goal. I am pleased that my girls are drawing beautiful comb on empty frames placed between drawn frames.
Both of my original hives are gone; one starved in the winter the other I guess absconded. I found a hive empty of bees but full of wax moths. Not sure what happened first. I now have a split from an original hive, a split from that hive, a hive from a nuc I bought last year and one swarm I recovered from the new hive this spring. (They started swarming while I was there. Truly a magical experience)
My issues/interests: I have never seen (recognized) one of my own queens. I have two weak hives now that need help. I don't really keep records and wonder if others do. I am never sure how much to harvest and when. I wonder if my hives are placed in the optimum locations. I am adding landscape plants that flower late in the season. I have been making some honey/herbal infusions with good results. I am interested in history and lore of bees as I am more than a little in awe of them and their mysterious ways.
So, lets chat!!
Beth
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