Sunday, 17 June 2012

To feed or not to feed - Weston update

Hi
We have seen a lot more activity today and were worried that they'll pack their bags and flit but we think that we have some good signs
This was taken half an hour ago - they are coming back with pollen .


So my time this afternoon making a mikmon design feeder may have been a bit unessessary for today - is this the sort of thing that you have all made?
I've made it so that I can top it up from the non bee side and the bees have an entrance at the top of a follower board bee side so to speak.

And this is the side from the non bee side -
The little black bits in the feeder are drowned ANTS - we want to put ant powder down at the base of the hive but think that this may not be good for the bees - any ideas?

We are going to swap this over with the takeaway tray  tomorrow as we dont want to disturb them any more unless Dave phones or bloggs and tells me to feed them now !
All the best

Mike and Monique

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7 comments:

  1. Lord Tedric18 June 2012 at 00:28

    If they are bringing in pollen then there is a fair chance the queen has started to lay, in which case they will definitely stay.

    On the feeding front you should be fine as the weather over the next few days is due to be a bit better.

    Might pop round later in the week for the box.

    Dave

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    Replies
    1. Mikmon18 June 2012 at 20:18

      Hi Dave

      can I drop the box off for you ?
      Mike

      Delete
    2. Lord Tedric18 June 2012 at 22:20

      If you fancy the drive out and a look at the apiary then by all means, will it be both of you and when are you thinking of coming. Wednesday after 6pm is ideal, bring your suits they are getting defensive now the brood is hatching.

      Dave

      Delete
  2. Boyd Brooks18 June 2012 at 07:15

    Hi Mike & Monique
    Design looks good and should work a treat. If you are worried about feeding do it any way; if they don't want/need it they won't take any. Given the weather we're having at the moment it can't do any harm.

    Boyd

    ReplyDelete
  3. WidgetMan18 June 2012 at 17:25

    Usually pollen means they are stocking up to feed brood so this is a good sign.

    In Many places where ground-based insects are a problem, the legs of beehives are sat in dishes of old engine oil and nearby vegetation is kept cut back so that insects can't use it as a bridge to the hive.

    All the best,

    Tim.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lord Tedric18 June 2012 at 22:24

      Nice liberal coating of Vaseline around the legs should have a similar effect, but you need to replace it regular, and as Tim says about plants.

      Dave

      Delete
  4. Boyd Brooks19 June 2012 at 19:18

    You can buy 'sticky bands', used to put around the trunks of trees, to deter crawling insects. Vaseline or grease is probably just as good, but could get messy.

    Boyd

    ReplyDelete

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