Schmidt Homestead

Our new home in Woodburn, IL

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

lots of new bees


Checked the bees last evening. Refilled the feeder.

They have about half of one one side of one of the new frames built out and are storeing honey/sugar water in it.

The new bees from my queen are very noticable against the darker black ones of Dave's that came from him. At this point my new ones outnumber the old ones at least 2 to 1. I got a good pic of 2 of the new ones working a sun flower in the sun flower patch we planted.

Still no pics of the hive, i should shoot some video.

Today i noticed that there was a lot of activity at the front of the hive. as i watched it seemed as if there was a fight going on at the hive. As i thought about it i remembered others talking about robbing. and with the new quart of sugar water, i bet thats what was happening. I hadnt been useing the entrance reducer, but tossed it in real quick to help them out. It seemed to make a diffrence, and they were not happy i was hanging around (about 5' away)

This is turning out to be my weekly check. I was exiciting to see all the fresh bees in the hive. Saw some new capped honey on the outer 2 frames in the corners, exciting to see.

Monday, July 7, 2008

bee update

checked the hive sat 7/5

quick check, they are finnally building on the new frames, still no activity on the medium super, the once frame i put right in the middle of the super had about half the comb built out on one side.

Still havnt seen any eggs,but havnt looked hard, but the queen is still around and there are good brood patterns on the frames.

Entrance feeder is low/out as of today... ill likely refill in a day or 2.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Bee timeline (quick log)

06/11 queens arrive
06/12 nucs started
06/15 queen check, 1 for 2 :(
06/17 combine nucs into one hive
06/24 hive check ok, honey frames light, add feeder
06/29 hive check good, lots of bees, add new med super, still no new comb
07/02 refill entrance feeder
07/13 refill feeder, 2x new bees, half frame new frame drawn out.