Hello everybody:
I am an old guy about to retire from my job as a machinist/mechanic for a printing company in Northeastern Indiana. I recently acquired 2 "nucs" kind of late in the season after discovering that bulk bees were in short supply. One hive seems to be doing great, and I added the second hive body, but the second hive, while quite active, hasn't gotten the other 5 foundation frames anywhere near finished as yet. (these seem to be darker bees, although gotten at the same time and from the same beekeeper)
Thje dandelions were gone by the time I got these bees, but there seems to be plenty of "bee pasture" here, as all the wild and most of the "kept" bees died a few years ago. I hadn't seen a honeybee in my garden for 3 or 4 years, and the squashes wouldn't produce without hand pollination.
I had some Nosema earlier, but I don't see any sign of it at present.
I don't plan to harvest any honey this year, as I hope to overwinter the colonies.
Will probably depend on the generosity of some of you for specific advice later.
ayyon2157