Another useful entry from Mike Overstake at the Bee Yard:
APIARY PROVERB
One strong hive is better than two weak hives!
Beekeepers,
I hope this email finds you well!
Hive Tool talk:
From our last email, “A Thought to Ponder”. The question was asked, “What is the proper winter hive weight?”.
Wow, ask 10 beekeepers that question and you will get 12 answers! J Therefore, here is one of the 12 answers. 60-80lbs of honey weight not hive weight. What is the difference between hive weight and honey weight?Your hive has many pieces like lid, frames, etc. You need to know the weight of the pieces to know your honey weight.
In my example, I used a 10 frame medium box and all the different pieces in figuring out my honey weight.
Starting hive weight calculation (no honey) = 40,000 bees (estimating), 4 medium boxes, 10 frames in each box with pulled comb.
Item: weight ea. Qty Totals
· Lid (Plastic) – 1.0lbs x 1 = 1
· Top board – 0.5lbs x 1 = .5
· Medium box (no frames) – 5.8lbs x 4 = 23.2
· Medium frame (pulled comb empty) – 0.8lbs x 40 = 32
· Bottom board – 6.4lbs x 1 = 6.4
· Bees (5,000) – 1.0lbs x 8 = 8_____
71.1lbs Total Weight
Starting hive weight = 71.1lbs
· Note: If you have additional items (spacers, quilt box, etc.) on your hive, you need to add them to the “Starting Hive Weight”.
Kitchen scale to get individual item weight
Now weigh the front of your hive and weigh the back of your hive. Add those two numbers together and that is your gross hive weight (Example: 131lbs). If you take your gross hive weight minus your starting hiveweight, you get your honey weight (Example: 131lbs – 71lbs = 60lbs).
Luggage scale to get hive weight
The Bee Yard:
What should we be doing now?
· Start making the hard decisions!
o Dispatch weak queen.
o Combine two hive to make one strongest hive
§ Do mite treatment
· Oxalic Acid
o Outside air Temperature above 40F
· HOP Gaurd2, MAQS & Apivar
o Outside air Temperature between 50-92F
· Apigaurd
o Outside air Temperature between 60-105F
· Api Life Var
o Outside air Temperature between 64-95F
· Please confirm product literature for number of days of treatment and temperature required
· Final preparation for extraction day (around labor Day-ish).
o Reminder: Extract frames that are 80% or more capped
§ High moisture in honey will ferment.
· Alert! Alert! Alert!
· Wax moths are alive and well! Here are a couple preventive measures.
o Combine weak hives
o Remove extra supers (less to maintain)
o Consider smaller entrances
o Dry honey supers before storing
§ Leave outside and loosely stack (Wax moth like darkness)
§ Store inside with moth crystals in the area.
· Winter hardware inspection (REALLY, winter?)
o Is your hardware ready (think two months out)?
§ Entrance reducers
§ Mouse guards
§ Quilt box
§ Wicking boards
§ Feeders
§ Sugar boards
§ Spacers
§ Hive wraps
§ Insulation boards
Beekeepers Feedback, questions and Input:
When should I start feeding my bee’s protein/winter patties or syrup after extraction?
Great question! After mite treatment. That being said, if you catch a swarm tomorrow. Start feeding it syrup right away so they have enough stories for winter. If syrup is ok, why not patties? Patties will attract wax moths. That is why the fall and spring are the best time to feed patties.
Trying something new:
I am going to try the wicking board this winter so I will keep you all posted on the adventure.
Projects:
Nothing new in the project area.
A Thought to Ponder:
· Quilt box, wicking board or nothing for moisture? We will ponder in the next email.
If you have anything to share, please pass it on.
Until next time Keeper of Bees, stay safe!
Mike Overstake