12th October - Last Meeting of Year

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

For security reasons please do not mention geographic or personal details when posting a comment.

General Apiary
Temperature 13C, weather fair. Time 14:30

External inspections only. Removal of Apiguard (6 weeks after first teatment) and queen excluders, Under supering  and heft check of brood chambers. Removal of varroa boards. Application of mouseguards and woodpecker guards.

Hive#1
Brood Chamber (Single Deep) put over Super(1)
Varroa Drop Count: unread
Needs feeding.

Hive#2
Brood Chamber (Single Deep) put over Super(1)
Varroa Drop Count: 15/14
Needs feeding.

Hive#3
Brood Chamber (Single Deep) put over Super(1)
Varroa Drop Count: 20/14
Needs feeding.

Hive#4
Brood Chamber (Single Deep) put over Super(1)
Varroa Drop Count: 20/14

Hive#5
Brood Chamber (Single Deep) put over Super(1)
Varroa Drop Count: 100/14
Removed feeder still needs feeding.

Hive#6
Brood Chamber (Brood and a Half) deep put over shallow.
Varroa Drop Count: High
Temper: poor after Hive#7 got excited!

Hive#7
Brood Chamber (2 shallows).
2nd tray Apiguard all gone, removed.
No Varroa Board available.
Temper: poor.

Hive#8
Brood Chamber (Single Deep) put over Super(1)
Varroa Drop Count: 20/14
Removed feeder.
.

28th September - Autumn Flow

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

For security reasons please do not mention geographic or personal details when posting a comment.

General Apiary
Temperature 21C, weather sunny. Time 14:30

General status check, most 2 weeks after 2nd application of Apiguard. Hive#7 treated with the second Apiguard application of the autumn. Apiguard purchased from Thorne's (Stockbridge) 30/8, batch number BN05L0492, expiry date 5/2017.

Hives all increasing stores. Some to the extent of blocking room to lay.

Hive#1
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Yellow) seen.
No Queen Cells
9 frames brood. Sacbrood on 2 frames.
3 frames stores.
All Apiguard gone so removed trays, shallow box used as eke and Queen eXcluder.

Supers(1)
8 frames of stores.

General
Entrance reduced with fern.
Bee Temper: 9
Varroa Drop Count: Unable to read board - too dirty. Board needs replacing.

Hive#2
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 3 frames in all stages.
Stores on 6 frames.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard, still some residue left.

Supers(1)
Stores on 7 frames.

General
Bee Temper: 8
Varroa Drop Count: 80+ too many to count.

Hive#3
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) not seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 7 frames in all stages.
Stores on 4 frames.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard, still some residue left.

Supers(1)
10 frames with nectar.

General
Bee Temper: 9
Varroa Drop Count: 50/14

Hive#4
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) not seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 6 frames in all stages, little room for laying.
Stores on 3 frames.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard, still some residue left.

Brood Chamber (Shallow)
Stores on 10 frames.

General
Bee Temper: 7
Varroa Drop Count: 50+/14

Hive#5
Brood Chamber (Brood and half)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Shallow (Upper) Box:
3 frames of brood in all stages.
11 frames stores, cf none 2 weeks ago!
Deep (Lower) Box:
3 frames of brood in all stages. Added frame of sealed brood from Hive #8.
3 frames of stores.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard, still some residue left
Removed Queen eXcluder.

Supers(0)

General
Bee Temper: 9
Varroa Drop Count: High
Half Feed in Rapid Feeder gone but fungus now evident. Removed feeder.

Hive#6
Brood Chamber (Brood and a Half)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells
Shallow Box: Brood on 0 frames.
Shallow Box: Stores on 4 frames.
Deep Box: Brood on 5 frames in all stages.
Deep Box: Stores on 3 frames.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard.
2nd tray of apiguard added.

Supers(1)
circa 30lbs stores.

General
Removed Queen eXcluder and shallow brood, shallow store frames donated to hive #7.
Bee Temper: 7
Varroa Drop Count: High

Hive#7
Brood Chamber (Brood and a Half)
Queen (2014 Green) not seen.
No Queen Cells
Shallow (Lower) Box:
3 frames of brood. Replaced drawn frames of drone with worker.
1 frames stores.
Shallow (Upper) Box:
3 frames brood.
3 frames stores.
Total circa 10lbs stores.
Added 2nd tray Apiguard and shallow eke.
No Varroa Board available.

Supers(0)

General
Bee Temper: 8
Food all taken. Replenished with 3pts Heavy Syrup. Put top on feeder.
Replaced 4 empty frames with stores frames from hive #6.

Hive#8
Brood Chamber (Deep)
Queen (Green 2014) seen on outside stores frame.
2 sealed and 2 unsealed Queen Cells - left.
Brood on 6 frames with eggs.
6 frames of stores. Total circa 25lb stores.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard.

Supers (1)
circa 6lb stores.

General
Bee Temper: 7
Varroa Drop Count:120/14
Entrance already reduced.
Added 1pts Heavy Syrup.

14th September - Autumn Varroa Treatment II

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

For security reasons please do not mention geographic or personal details when posting a comment.

General Apiary
Temperature 20C, weather sunny. Time 14:30

Along with stores status, all hives were treated with the second Apiguard application of the autumn. Apiguard purchased from Thorne's (Stockbridge) 30/8, batch number BN05L0492, expiry date 5/2017.

Hive#1
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Yellow) seen.
No Queen Cells
9 frames brood no eggs. Very little room for queen to lay so replaced 1 frame stores with empty frame from Hive#4.
2 frames stores.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard.
2nd tray of apiguard added.

Supers(1)
11 frames of stores.

General
Entrance reduced with fern.
Bee Temper: 9
Varroa Drop Count: Unable to read board - too dirty. Board needs replacing.

Hive#2
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 4 frames in all stages.
Stores on 3 frames.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard.
2nd tray of apiguard added.

Supers(1)
Stores on 7 frames.

General
Bee Temper: 8
Varroa Drop Count: 80+ too many to count.

Hive#3
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 6 frames in all stages.
Stores on 3 frames.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard.
2nd tray of apiguard added.

Supers(1)
10 frames with nectar.

General
Queen Excluder removed.
Bee Temper: 9
Varroa Drop Count: 80/14
Feeder (empty) removed.

Hive#4
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 7 frames in all stages.
Stores on 2 frames.
2nd tray of apiguard added.

Supers(1)
Stores on 10 frames.

General
Queen Excluder removed.
Bee Temper: 7
Varroa Drop Count: 180+/14

Hive#5
Brood Chamber (Brood and half)
Queen (2014 Green) not seen.
No Queen Cells.
Shallow (Upper) Box:
3 frames of brood in all stages.
Deep (Lower) Box:
3 frames of brood in all stages.
0 frames of stores.
Upper and Lower brood boxes switched.
Added eke for Apiguard.
2nd tray of apiguard added.

Supers(0)

General
Bee Temper: 10
Varroa Drop Count: Lots
Feed in Rapid Feeder not touched yet have no stores!
Very small colony.

Hive#6
Brood Chamber (Brood and a Half)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells
Shallow Box: Brood on 7 frames in all stages.
Shallow Box: Stores on 3 frames (circa 5lbs)
Deep Box: Brood on 4 frames in all stages.
Deep Box: Stores on 3 frames.
Stores adequate.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard.
2nd tray of apiguard added.

Supers(1)
circa 30lbs stores.

General
Bee Temper: 9
Varroa Drop Count: Lots

Hive#7
Brood Chamber (Brood and a Half)
Queen (2014 Green) not seen.
No Queen Cells
Shallow (Lower) Box:
3 frames of brood. Bordered by pollen barrier. Moved drawn worker frame inside. Most of remainder of drawn frames drone. Need to replace with worker drawn comb.
1 frames stores.
Shallow (Upper) Box:
3 frames brood.
3 frames stores.
Total circa 10lbs stores.
No previous Apiguard treatment! Added 1st tray Apiguard and shallow eke.
No Varroa Board available.

Supers(0)

General
Bee Temper: 6
Food all taken. Replenished with 4pts Heavy Syrup. No top on feeder.
Entrance already reduced.

Hive#8
Brood Chamber (Deep)
Queen (Green 2014) not seen.
0 Queen Cells.
Brood on 6 frames no eggs.
2 frames of stores. Total circa 15lb stores.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard.
2nd tray of apiguard added.

Supers (1)
circa 6lb stores.

General
Bee Temper: 10
Varroa Drop Count:180/14
Entrance already reduced.
Added rapid feeder and 4pts Heavy Syrup.

4th September - Autumn Feed I

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

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General Apiary
4 pints heavy syrup fed to Hive#3, 5 & 7 via rapid feeders.

Empty super added as apiguard eke for Hive#5.

31st August - Autumn Varroa Treatment I

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

For security reasons please do not mention geographic or personal details when posting a comment.

General Apiary
Temperature 18C, weather sunny. Time 14:30

Along with stores status, all hives were treated with the first Apiguard application of the autumn. Apiguard purchased from Thorne's (Stockbridge) 30/8, batch number BN05L0492, expiry date 5/2017. Dried and excess supers removed.

Hive#1
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Yellow) seen.
No Queen Cells
6 frames brood in all stages.
0 frames stores.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard.
Varroa Board inserted.

Supers(1)
11 frames of stores.

General
Dried super removed.
Entrance reduced with fern.
Bee Temper: 9

Hive#2
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 4 frames in all stages.
Stores on 1 frame.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard.
Varroa Board inserted.

Supers(2-1)
Stores on all frames.

General
Dried super removed.
2nd super removed, frames with nectar donated to hive #3.
Bee Temper: 6

Hive#3
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 5 frames in all stages.
Stores on 0 frames.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard.
Varroa Board inserted.

Supers(1)
7 frames with nectar, added 4 more from Hive #2.

General
Dried super removed.
Bee Temper: 9

Hive#4
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 5 frames in all stages.
Stores on 0 frames.
No eke for Apiguard.
Varroa Board inserted.

Supers(1)
Stores on 8 frames.

General
Bee Temper: 7

Hive#5
Brood Chamber (Brood and half)
Queen (2014 Green) not seen.
No Queen Cells.
Shallow (Lower) Box:
? frames of brood in all stages.
Deep (Upper) Box:
4 frames of brood in all stages.
0 frames of stores.
Upper and Lower brood boxes switched.
No eke for Apiguard.
Varroa Board inserted

Supers(0)

Bee Temper: 8

Hive#6
Brood Chamber (Brood and a Half)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells
Shallow Box: Brood on 6 frames in all stages.
Shallow Box: Stores on 5 frames
Deep Box: Brood on 4 frames in all stages.
Deep Box: Stores on 3 frames.
Stores adequate.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard.
Varroa Board inserted.

Supers(1)
circa 30lbs stores..

Bee Temper: 7

Hive#7
Brood Chamber (Brood and a Half)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells
Shallow (Lower) Box:
3 frames of brood.
1 frames stores.
Shallow (Upper) Box:
1 frame brood.
2 frames stores.
Total circa 10lbs stores.

Supers(0)

General
Bee Temper: 7
Needs feeding.

Hive#8
Brood Chamber (Deep)
Queen (Green 2014) seen.
0 Queen Cells.
Brood on 6 frames in all stages.
2 frames of stores.
Shallow box used as eke for Apiguard.
Varroa Board inserted.

Supers (1)

Bee Temper: 9

Summary
8 Stocks Queenright & marked (#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8)

17th August

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

For security reasons please do not mention geographic or personal details when posting a comment.

General Apiary
Temperature 18C, weather windy. Time 14:30

Hive#1
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Yellow) seen.
No Queen Cells
4 frames brood in all stages, small amount of sacbrood.
6 frames stores,
Room to lay.

Supers(1+1)
Dried super left over crown board.

Bee Temper: 9

Hive#2
Brood Chamber  (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) not seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 4 rames in all stages.
Stores on 4 frames.

Supers(3

Bee Temper: 8

Hive#3
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen  (2014 Green) not  seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 3 frames in all stages.
Stores on 3 frames.

Supers(1+1)
3 frames with nectar.
Dried super left over crown board, 5 drawn frames taken to replace foundation frames in super.

Bee Temper: 9

Hive#4
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 7 frames in all stages.
Stores on 4 frames.

Supers(1)
Dried super moved to Hive#7.

Bee Temper: 9

Hive#5
Brood Chamber (Brood and half)
Queen (2014 Green) not seen.
No Queen Cells.
Shallow (Lower) Box:
8 frames of brood in all stages.
Deep (Upper) Box:
3 frames of brood in all stages.
3 frames of stores.
Current box top bee space replaced with bottom bee space deep box.

Bee Temper: 8

Supers(0)

Hive#6
Brood Chamber (Brood and a Half)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells
Shallow Box: Brood on 7 frames in all stages.
Shallow Box: Stores on 4 frames
Deep Box: Brood on 4 frames in all stages.
Deep Box: Stores on 3 frames.
Stores adequate.

Supers(1)
4 frames full.

Bee Temper: 8

Hive#7
Brood Chamber (Brood and a Half)
Queen (2014 Green) not seen.
No Queen Cells
Shallow (Lower) Box:
3 frames of brood.
7 frames stores.
Deep (Upper) Box: not yet drawn replaced with drawn dried super from Hive#4. Deep box put over crown board.

Supers(0)

Bee Temper: 7
Varroa Count: 0 - - board removed

Hive#8
Brood Chamber (Deep)
Queen (Green 2014) seen.
2 unsealed Queen Cell - left. No sign of 3 Queen cells seen 2 weeks ago.
Brood on 6 frames in all stages.
2 frames of stores.

Supers (1+1)
5+ frames full.

Bee Temper: 9

Summary
8 Stocks (#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8)
7/8 Queenright & marked (query #7)

12th August - Wet Super Return

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

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General Apiary
Temperature 18C, weather cloudy. Time 16:00

6 wet supers extracted on 4th August placed above crown board on Hives #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #8.

4th August - Extraction

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

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General Apiary
Temperature 18C, weather fine. Time 20:00

Removal of supers prepared for clearing yesterday.

Hive#1
1 super removed OK.

Hive#4
2 supers removed.
Lot of activity around roof - possible robbing. No gauze in roof ventilation - roof replaced.
Dead bees in and on Forrest Clearer.

Hive#6
2 supers removed OK.

Hive#8
1 super removed.
Dead bees in and on Forrest Clearer.

3rd August 2014 - Harvest

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

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General Apiary
Temperature 25C, weather sunny. Time 14:30

Clearer boards to be put on to allow removal of supers for extraction tomorrow (4th August).

Hive#1
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Yellow) seen.
No Queen Cells
Brood ok.
Room to lay.
Stores adequate.

Supers(2)
Capped frames moved to top super and porter escapes used for clearing.
Bottom super holding rest.

Bee Temper: 9
Varroa Count: 0 - board removed

Hive#2
Brood Chamber  (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) not seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 6 frames in all stages including eggs.
Room to lay.
Stores adequate.

Supers(2)
Only 1 super recorded - not ready for extraction.

Bee Temper: 8
Varroa Count: 0 - board removed.

Hive#3
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen  seen and marked Green (2014).
1 Queen Cell found and removed.
Brood on 3 frames in all stages.
Stores on 5 frames.

Supers(1)
3 frames with nectar - not ready for extraction.

Bee Temper: 8
Varroa Count: 0 - board removed

Hive#4
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 7 frames in all stages including eggs.
Stores adequate

Supers(3)
2 supers put above crown board and Forrest Clearer.

Bee Temper: 7
Varroa Count: ? - board removed

Hive#5
Brood Chamber (Brood and half)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Shallow (Lower) Box:
5 frames of Brood in all stages.
Stores on 2 frames.
Deep (Upper) Box:
2 frames of Brood in all stages.

Bee Temper: 8
Varroa Count: 3 (7 days) - board removed

Supers(0)

Hive#6
Brood Chamber (Brood and a Half)
Queen (2014 Green) not seen.
No Queen Cells
Shallow Box: Brood on 8 frames in all stages including eggs.
Deep Box: Brood on 3 frames in all stages including eggs.
Stores adequate.

Supers(3)
Top 2 supers ready for extraction. Porter Escapes used.

Bee Temper: 6
Varroa Count: 4 (7 days) - board removed

Hive#7
Brood Chamber (Brood and a Half)
Queen (2014 Green) not seen.
No Queen Cells
Shallow (Lower) Box:
3 frames of brood.
7 frames stores.
Deep (Upper) Box: not yet drawn.

Supers(0)

Bee Temper: 7
Varroa Count: 0 - - board removed
Rear of floor temporarily repaired.

Hive#8
Brood Chamber (Deep)
Queen (Green 2014) not seen.
1 sealed and 1 unsealed Queen Cell - left.
Brood on 6 frames in all stages including eggs.
2 frames of stores.

Supers (2)
1 super ready for extraction above Forrest Board.

Bee Temper: 6
Varroa Count: Board "self-cleaned" on removal, replaced inverted.

Nucleus#10
Dead and dismantled.

Summary
8 Stocks (#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8)
7/8 Queenright & marked (query #7)
6 with Supers (not #5, #7)
4 with supers ready for extraction (#1, #4(2), #6(2), #8)
Feeding Required (#7 and maybe #5)

20th July - 3 Musketeers

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

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General Apiary
Temperature 22C, weather sunny. Time 14:30

Hives #3 (queen ripening); #5 (no supers, drawing deep box); #7 (queen ripening); #10 (queen ripening) were not inspected. All stocks had varroa boards inserted.

Hive#1
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Yellow) seen.
No Queen Cells
Brood on 8 frames in all stages including eggs, some chalk brood.
Room to lay.
Stores adequate.

Supers(2)
Top super 11 drawn frames being filled and 1 partially drawn..
Bottom super 8 frames drawn and being capped, 2 frames partially drawn and 2 frames foundation. Reorganised.

Bee Temper: 9

Hive#2
Brood Chamber  (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) not seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 7 frames in all stages including eggs. Sealed drone brood removed from bottom of shallow frame.
Room to lay.Stores adequate.

Supers(2)
Top super 8 frames capped 4 frames foundation including 1 added.
Bottom super 5 frames capped, 3 frames uncapped and 4 frames foundation

Bee Temper: 8

Hive#4
Brood Chamber (Single Deep)
Queen (2014 Green) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 7 frames in all stages including eggs.

Supers(2+1)
Both existing supers nearing capacity.
Put pre-used castellated shallow from Hive #9 under existing supers.

Bee Temper: 5

Hive#6
Brood Chamber (Brood and a Half)
Queen (2014 Green) not seen.
No Queen Cells
Shallow Box: Brood on 7 frames in all stages including eggs. Moved capped store frames (3) to supers exchanging with foundation frames.
Deep Box: Brood on 8 frames in all stages including eggs.

Supers(3)
Top super heavy, frames capped
Middle super heavy, frames uncapped
Bottom super being drawn.

Bee Temper: 7

Hive#8
Brood Chamber (Deep)
Queen (Green 2014) not seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood on 7 frames in all stages including eggs.

Supers (2)
Space available

Bee Temper: 6

Summary
9 Stocks (#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #10)
6 Queenright (not #3, #7, #10)
6 with Marked Queens (not #3, #7, #10)
6 with Supers (not #5, #7, #10)
5 with Marked Queens and Supers (#1. #2, #4, #6, #8)

13th July - Post SBI and Basic Assessments

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

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General Apiary
Temperature 25C, weather sunny. Time 14:30

Due to concern being raised by the assessor during last weeks BBKA Basic Assessments the SBI inspected all hives in the morning. Fortunately only sacbrood and chalkbrood disease was noted. As a result of the morning disease inspection no brood inspections were carried out with the exception of a check for queen cells in Hive#8. Box manipulations were caried out on Hive#5 and Hive#7. The status of supers was reviewed.

Hive#1
Supers(2)
Top super 2 frames stores.
Bottom super 6 frames stores.

Hive#2
Supers(1+1)
8 frames ripe.
Undersupered with foundation.

Hive#3
Supers(1)
4 frames capped, 1 removed for frame entry to Honey Show.

Hive#4
Supers(2)
New foundation super added on Thursday fully drawn and being filled.
Second super ready.

Hive#5
Brood Chamber (Brood and half)
Deep Brood still not drawn since shook swarm on 1st June so put Shallow Brood Box (Castellated) under Deep.

Bee Temper: 8

Supers(0)

Hive#6
Supers(1+1)
Undersupered with foundation.

Hive#7
Brood Chamber (14x12+Shallow)
14x12 Brood still not drawn since shook swarm on 1st June. Replaced 14x12 foundation Box with Deep foundation Box and put over Shallow Brood Box (Castellated).

Bee Temper: 4

Supers(0)

Hive#8
Brood Chamber (Deep)
Queen (Green 2014) seen.
Sealed/Unsealed and torn down Queen Cells all removed as eggs and laying queen. Inspection of sealed Queen cells revealed dead larvae/pupae.

Bee Temper: 8

Supers (2)
Space available

Nucleus#10
Quiet at entrance but bees in residence.

Summary
9 Stocks (#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #10)
6 Queenright (not #3, #7, #10)
6 with Marked Queens (not #3, #7, #10)
6 with Supers (not #5, #7, #10)
5 with Marked Queens and Supers (#1. #2, #4, #6, #8)

6th July - Limited Inspections

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

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General Apiary
Temperature 18C, weather fair, windy. Time 14:30

Due to BBKA Basic Assessments inspections limited to hives 1, 6 & 7.

Hive #1

Instructor:LH

Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (Yellow 2014) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood in all stages and eggs.
Stores adequate.
Foundation frame moved into brood nest.

Supers (2)
Top super being filled.
Bottom super being drawn..

General
Bee Temper: 9.

Hive #6
Instructor: BH
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (2014)  seen and marked Green.
No Queen Cells
8 frames of brood no drone.
Stores adequate.

Shallow Brood
Queen not seen.
No Queen Cells
8 frames of brood including drone.
Stores adequate.

Supers(1)
8 frames stores capped.
3 frames being filled.

General
Bee Temper: 5

Hive #7
Instructor: BH
Class: General

Deep Brood
Not inspected.

Shallow Brood (Castellated)
5 sealed Queen Cells on test frame. Removed 3 including 1 'black' contents dead and soup-like possible Black Queen Cell virus & Nosema. 2 Queen Cells cells left.

General
Bee Temper: 5

Summary
9 Stocks (#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #10)
6 Queenright (not #3, #7, #10)
6 with Marked Queens (not #3, #7, #10)
6 with Supers (not #5, #7, #10)
5 with Marked Queens and Supers (#1. #2, #4, #6, #8)

30th June - BBKA Basic Assessment Hosting Notes - 1

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Hive #1

Queen seen.

Hive #2
Queen seen.
1 frame short in brood chamber.

29th June - Laying Workers

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General Apiary
Temperature 20C, weather sunny. Time 14:30

Due to being required for BBKA Basic Assessments tomorrow, hives #1 & #2 were not inspected. Presence of Drone Brood required for Basic Assessment use.

Hive #3
Instructor: TB
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (Green 2014) not seen.
14 unsealed Queen Cells. Knoched down all bar 2.
6 frames sealed brood.
2 frame of stores.

Supers (1)
Being drawn.
1/5 frame stores.

General
Bee Temper: 7.

Hive #4
Instructor: RW
Class: Novice

Deep Brood
Queen (Green 2014) seen marking wearing off.
No Queen Cells
8 frames brood in all stages and eggs including drone.
8 frames stores.

Supers (2)
Top super with 9 frames of capped stores 3/4 full.
Bottom super not yet drawn. Moved to Hive #6.

Bee Temper: 8
 

Hive #5
Instructor: RW
Class: Novice

14x12 Brood
Deep frame inpart filled with pollen.
Foundation frames not drawn. Shook swarmed 1/6.

Shallow Brood (Castellated)
Queen seen Green (2014).
No Queen Cells.
7 farmes brood in all stages including drone and eggs.
2 frames stores.

General
Bee Temper: 9

Hive #6
Instructor: BD
Class: Beginner

Deep Brood
Queen (2014) unmarked not seen.
No Queen Cells
7 frames of brood including drone and eggs..
3 half frames of stores.

Shallow Brood
Queen (2014) unmarked not seen.
No Queen Cells
9 frames of brood including drone.
3 frames stores - moved to super and replaced with drawn comb.

Supers(1)
9 frames with stores.
Added shallow box of foundation.

General
Bee Temper: 8

Hive #7
Instructor: BD
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen not seen
No Queen Cells.
Only 1 frame partially drawn. Shook swarmed 1/6.

Shallow Brood (Castellated)
Queen not seen.
Suspected 'King' Cells rasied on drone brood.
Only frame with worker brood was test frame inserted 2 weeks ago. Replaced old test frame with new test frame.
1 frame of drone brood.
Equivalent of 6 frames stores.

General
Bee Temper: 6
Suspect Laying Workers.

Hive #8
Instructor: TB
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (Green 2014) seen.
5 Queen Cells moved 1 to nuc knocked down rest of queen cells. Trying to keep colony available for Basic Assesments over next 2 weeks.
5 frames brood including eggs. 2 moved to nuc replaced with foundation.
3 frames stores. 1 moved to nuc replaced with foundation.

Supers (2)
Comb drawn in lower box with some stores.
4 combs drawn in top super.

General
Bee Temper: 7

Hive #9
Instructor: LH
Class: General

14x12 Brood
Queen not seen.
No Queen Cells.
2 frames with brood all drone.
1 partially drawn frame. Shook swarmed 1/6.

Shallow Brood Castellated
Queen not seen
No Queen Cells.
Largely full of sealed drone brood.
1 frames of stores.
Queen eXcluder inserted between boxes to confine drones to top shallow box..

General
Bee Temper: 8
Laying Workers - Colony shaken out and stock dispersed.

Nucleus #10
Formed from Hive #8, see above.

Summary
9 Stocks
6 Queenright (not #3, #7, #10)
5 with Marked Queens (not  #6)
6 with Supers (not #5, #7, #10)
4 with Marked Queens and Supers (#1. #2, #4, #8)

22nd June - Flaming June

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General Apiary
Temperature 20C, weather sunny. Time 14:30

Potential for holding BBKA Basic Assessments June/July being explored.

Hive #1

Instructor:LH

Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (Yellow 2014) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood in all stages and eggs.
Stores adequate.
Foundation frame moved into brood nest.

Supers (2)
No details.

General
Bee Temper: 9.

Hive #2
Instructor: TB
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (Green 2014) seen.
No Queen cells.
5 frames brood in all stages including drone.
1.5 frame stores.

Super(1)
5 frames stores.

General
Bee Temper: ?

Hive #3
Instructor: TB
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (Green 2014) seen.
10 unsealed Queen Cells. Lack of drawn comb to lay in, added 3 drawn frames and kocked down all Queen Cells.
6 frames brood in all stages.
1 frame of stores.

Supers (1)
Being drawn

General
Bee Temper: 10.

Hive #4
Instructor: RW
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (Green 2014) seen marking wearing off.
No Queen Cells
7 frames brood in all stages and eggs including drone.
7 frames stores.

Supers (2)
Top super with 9 frames of capped stores.
Bottom super not yet drawn.

Bee Temper: 8

Hive #5
Instructor: PR
Class: General

14x12 Brood
Deep frame inpart filled with pollen.
Foundation frames not drawn. Shook swarmed 1/6.

Shallow Brood (Castellated)
Queen seen Green (2014).
No Queen Cells.
6 farmes brood in all stages. No drone brood.
3 frames stores.

General
Bee Temper: 9

Hive #6
Instructor: PR
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (2014) not seen.
No Queen Cells
7 frames of brood no drone.
No stores.

Shallow Brood
Queen not seen.
No Queen Cells
6 frames of brood including drone.
4 frames stores

Supers(1)
4 frames stores.

General
Bee Temper: 8

Hive #7
Instructor: PR
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen not seen
No Queen Cells
No drawn frames. Shook swarmed 1/6. Beginning to draw.

Shallow Brood (Castellated)
Queen not seen.
No queen cells on test frame inseed last week but young unsealed queen cells elsewhere.
Test frame plus one other frame with brood (4-5 day old larvae).
Equivalent of 6 frames stores.

General
Bee Temper: 6
Possible newly mated queen. Consider test frame next week if required.

Hive #8
Instructor: BD
Class: Novice

Bottom Deep Brood
Queen (Unmarked 2014) not seen.
No Queen Cells.
No brood
Very few stores.

Top Deep Brood
Queen seen and marked Green.
No Queen Cells.
2 frames brood no drone brood.
8 frames stores.

Supers (2)
0 frames of stores

General
Bee Temper: 6
Bottom deep brood removed.

Hive #9
Instructor: TB
Class: General

14x12 Brood
Queen not seen.
No Queen Cells.
2 frames with brood.
1 partially drawn frame. Shook swarmed 1/6.

Shallow Brood Castellated
Queen not seen
No Queen Cells.
Largely full of sealed drone brood.
1 frames of stores.
Queen eXcluder inserted between boxes to confine drones to top shallow box..

Bee Temper: 10

Summary
9 Stocks
8 Queenright (not #7)
7 with Marked Queens (not #7, #9)
7 with Supers (not #5, #7)
6 with Marked Queens and Supers (#1. #2, #3, #4, #6, #8)

15th June - Fathers Day

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General Apiary
Temperature 18C, weather cloudy. Time 14:30

Potential for holding BBKA Basic Assessments June/July being explored.

Spare Stock
0 x Queen excluders
1 x Deep with frames and foundation
1 x Shallow with 6 frames and foundation.
1 x Open Mesh Floor.
2 x Empty 5 frame Nucleus Boxes
Plenty empty shallow boxes, deep boxes, cover boards and roofs.

Hive #1

Instructor:LH

Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (Yellow 2014) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood seen, few eggs.
Stores adequate.

Supers (2)
Stores adequate.

General
Bee Temper: 9.

Hive #2
Instructor: TB
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (Green 2014) seen.
No Queen cells.
5 frames brood in good pattern.
0.5 frame stores.

Super(1)
4 frames stores from other hives added to foundation over Queen eXcluder.

General
Feed given 12/6 all gone. Feeder removed.
Bee Temper: 10
 

Hive #3
Instructor: TB
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (Green 2014) seen.
No Queen Cells.
5 frames brood in all stages.
1 frame of stores.

Supers (1)
Being drawn

General
Feed given 12/6 all gone. feeder removed.
Bee Temper: 8.

Hive #4
Instructor: RW
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (Green 2014) seen marking wearing off.
No Queen Cells
5 frames brood.
7 frames stores.

Supers (2)
Top super of undrawn foundation put under super with 7 frames of capped stores.

Bee Temper: 8
 

Hive #5
Instructor: PR
Class: General

14x12 Brood
Test frame introduced last week cleaned out of eggs and larvae. New eggs in place.
Foundation frames not drawn. Shook swarmed 1/6.

Shallow Brood (Castellated)
Queen seen and marked Green (2014).
No Queen Cells.
2 frames stores.

General
Bee Temper: 8
Feed given 12/6 all gone. Needs more feeding.

Hive #6
Instructor: PR
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (2014) not seen.
No Queen Cells
7 frames of brood
No stores.

Shallow Brood
Queen not seen.
No Queen Cells
6 frames of brood
4 frames stores

Supers(1)
4 frames stores.

General
Feed given 12/6 gone, feeder removed.
Bee Temper: 7

Hive #7
Instructor: PR
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen not seen
No Queen Cells
No drawn frames. Shook swarmed 1/6.

Supers (1) Castellated
Equivalent of 8 frames stores.
Removed Queen eXcluder and put in test shallow frame.

General
Bee Temper: 2
Strongly suspect as being Queenless.

Hive #8
Instructor: TB
Class: Novice

Bottom Deep Brood
Queen (Unmarked 2014) seen.
No Queen Cells.
No brood
Adequate stores.

Top Deep Brood
Queen not seen
No Queen Cells.
2 frames brood
6 frames stores.

Supers (2)
0 frames of stores

Bee Temper: 7

Hive #9
Instructor: LH
Class: General

14x12 Brood
Queen not seen.
No Queen Cells.
1 frame with brood.
Only 1 partially drawn frame but bees working. Shook swarmed 1/6.

Supers (1) Castellated
4 Queen Cells removed.
2 frames of stores.
Queen eXcluder removed.

Bee Temper: 8

Summary
9 Stocks
8 Queenright (not #7)
6 with Marked Queens (not #8, #7, #9)
6 with Supers (not #5, #7, #9)
5 with Marked Queens and Supers (#1. #2, #3, #4, #6)

12th June - Midweek Trustee Visit

General
Attendees: TB; FW; RW
Hive #'s 2;3;5 & 6 fed 2 pints medium syrup.

8th June - 9 Colonies Inspected

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General Apiary
Temperature 21C, weather sunny. Time 14:30

Hive #1

Instructor:LH

Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (Yellow) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood seen, few eggs.
Stores adequate.

Supers (2)
Stores adequate.

General
Bee Temper: 9.

Hive #2
Instructor: NP
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (Green) seen.
No Queen cells.
3 frames brood in good pattern.
0.5 frame stores - low.

Bee Temper: 9

Hive #3
Instructor: TB
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen (Green) seen.
No Queen Cells.
5 frames brood in all stages. 1 frame donated to Hive #8 as test frame.
Low on stores

Supers (1)

General
Bee Temper: 10.

Hive #4
Instructor: FW
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen seen and marked Green.
No Queen Cells
4 frames brood, none sealed. 1 frame donated to Hive #5 as test frame.
6 frames stores.

Supers (2)

Bee Temper: 9
 

Hive #5
Instructor: FW
Class: General

14x12 Brood
Queen not seen, appears queenless majority of bees in super.
Queen eXcluder removed.
Test frame introduced from Hive #4.

Bee Temper: 8

Hive #6
Instructor: FW
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen not seen.
No Queen Cells
4 frames of brood
No stores.

Shallow Brood
Queen not seen.
No Queen Cells
6 frames of brood
4 frames stores

Supers(1)

Bee Temper: 8

Hive #7
Instructor: TB
Class: General

Deep Brood
Queen not seen
No Queen Cells
No drawn frames

Supers (1)
Equivalent of 8 frames stores.

Bee Temper: 8

Hive #8
Instructor: BD
Class: Novice

Bottom Deep Brood
Queen not seen
Number of emerged Queen Cells and sealed Queen Cells with dead pupae.
No brood
Adequate stores.

Top Deep Brood
Queen not seen
Number of emerged Queen Cells and sealed Queen Cells with dead pupae.
Inserted test frame from Hive #3.
No brood
Adequate stores.

Supers (2)

Bee Temper: 9

Hive #9
Instructor: TB
Class: General

14x12 Brood
Queen not seen
No drawn frames but bees working.

Supers (1)
5 frames of stores.

Bee Temper: 7

1st June - Shook Swarm

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General Apiary
Temperature 20C, weather sunny. Time 14:30

Hive #4 not inspected as awaiting establishment of new queen (sealed Queen Cell 11/5).
Hive #6 not inspected as awaiting establishment of new queen (sealed Queen Cell 11/5).
Hive #8 not inspected as awaiting establishment of new queen (sealed Queen Cell 18/5).

Hives #5; #7; #9 subjected to precautionary Shook Swarm after EFB detected in area they came from 2 weeks ago.

Hive #1

Instructor:LH

Class: General

Deep Brood, on grass.

Deep Brood
Queen (Yellow) seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood seen, few eggs. Empty drawn frame moved next to brood nest.
Stores adequate.

Supers (2)
Stores adequate.

General
Bee Temper: 9.

Nucleus #2
Instructor: NP
Class: General
mating nucleus.

Frames
Queen seen marked Green.
No Queen cells.
1.5 frames brood in good pattern.
0.5 frame stores - low.
Transferred to deep brood box with 6 foundation frames as Hive #2.
 

Hive #3
Instructor: RW
Class: General
Deep Brood.

Deep Brood
Queen seen marked Green.
No Queen Cells.
5 frames brood in all stages.
Low on stores

General
Bee Temper: 10.
Added 11 frame foundation super.
 

Hive #5
Instructor: BD
Class: Improver
14x12.

General
Shook swarmed to deep brood box.
Emerged swarm cells found. Virgin? queen took flight during inspection, Queen excluder beneath brood box removed as consequence.
Very light super returned to hive,

Hive #7
Instructor: BD
Class: Improver
14x12 (Converter)

General
Shook swarmed to 14x12 brood box.
Queen not seen.
Light super returned to hive,

Hive #9
Instructor: BD
Class: Improver
14x12

General
Shook swarmed to 14x12 brood box.
Queen not seen.
Heavy super returned to hive,

20/21 May - Extra Colonies

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3 new colonies on 14x12 frames have been moved into the apiary. They have been recently checked by the SBI (22/4) and passed OK. The colonies come from an area with a history of EFB but as no EFB has been reported so far this year from that area the trustees agreed to forego a preventative shook swarm manipulation. The colonies have been positioned as hives #5; #7 and #9. All the hives have 1 super,

18th May - Blazing Sun

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General Apiary
Temperature 21C, weather sunny. Time 14:30

Hive #4 not inspected as awaiting establishment of new queen (sealed Queen Cell 11/5).
Hive #6 not inspected as awaiting establishment of new queen (sealed Queen Cell 11/5).

Hive #1

Instructor:TB

Class: General

Brood and half, on grass.

Deep Brood
Queen seen - marked yellow.
No Queen Cells.
3 frames brood
0 stores.

Supers (2)
6 frames stores.

General
Bee Temper: 9.

Nucleus #2
Instructor: FW
Class: Novice
mating nucleus.

Frames
Queen seen not marked.
No Queen cells.
3 frames brood.
1 frame stores.
 

Nucleus #3
Instructor: FW
Class: Bovice
mating nucleus.

Frames
Queen not seen.
No Queen Cells.
5 frames brood in all stages.
Low on stores
Bee Temper: 9.
Transferred to deep brood box with 6 additional foundation frames as Hive #3.
 

Hive #8
Instructor: RW
Class: General
Double Brood, on slab.

Bottom Deep Brood
No Queen seen.
8 Queen Cells removed.
6 frames of brood.
4 frames of stores.

Top Deep Brood
No Queen seen.
10 Queen Cells 1 sealed and 1 unsealed left, rest removed.
5 frames of brood.
3 frames stores.

Supers (2)

General
Bee Temper: 7

14th May - Midweek Trustee Visit

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General Apiary
Temperature 16C, weather sunny. Time 17:00

Limited inspection to check nucleus #2 & #3 for brood and stores and Hive #8 for Queen Cells. Hives #1; #4 and #6 not inspected.

Nucleus #2

3 frame mating nucleus plus 2 frames foundation.

Frames
Queen not seen.
No Queen cells.
No brood or eggs.
Stores still OK.
 

Nucleus #3
3 frame mating nucleus plus 2 frames foundation.

Frames
Queen seen.
No Queen Cells.
3 frames of Brood in all stages and eggs. Partially drawn frame replaced with frame of sealed brood from Hive#8.
Shallow stores frame originally supplied now almost exhausted - replaced with deep frame of stores from Hive #8.
 

Hive #8
Double Brood, on slab.

Bottom Deep Brood
No Queen seen.
No Queen Cells.
6 frames of brood including 1 day old eggs.
3 frames of stores.

Top Deep Brood
No Queen seen.
2 charged Queen Cells removed, eggs available.
6 frames of brood including 1 day old eggs. 1 frame donated to Nuc#3 replaced with partially drawn frame at edge of brood nest
3 frames of stores. 1 frame donated to Nuc#3 replaced with foundation frame.

Supers
2 shallow boxes.
Moved new foundation box under box being filled. Both light.

General
Bee Temper: 7
Varroa count: Not checked
 

11th May 2014 - SBI Health Inspection

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General Apiary
Temperature 13C, weather sunny. Time 14:30

All inspections carried out by our Seasonal Bee Inspector. Apiary given clean bill of health.

Hive #1

Instructor:SBI

Class: General

Brood and half, on grass.

Deep Brood
2 Sealed Queen Cells left at last inspection (19th April originally seen 13th April).
Queen seen - unmarked.
No Queen Cells.
No brood or eggs.
Adequate stores.

Shallow Brood
No Queen Cells.
No brood or eggs.
Adequate stores.
Queen excluder moved under box changing function to super.

General
Bee Temper: 9.
Varroa count nil.

Nucleus #2
Instructor: SBI
Class: General
3 frame mating nucleus.

Frames
Queen seen.
No Queen cells.
No brood or eggs - polished cells.
Stores?
 

Nucleus #3
Instructor: SBI
Class: General
3 frame mating nucleus.

Frames
Queen seen.
No Queen Cells.
Brood in all stages.
No stores - needs feeding.

Hive #4

Instructor: SBI
Class: General

Single Brood, on slab.

Deep Brood

Queen not seen.

1 unsealed and 3 sealed Queen Cells found. 1 charged unsealed and 1 sealed cells left.

4 frames of mainly sealed brood.

Supers (2)
4 frames of stores.

General

Bee Temper: Good

Varroa count nil.

Hive#6

Instructor: SBI
Class: General
Brood and half, on slab.

Deep Brood
Queen not seen.
See general for Queen Cells.
5 frames of brood.
Stores OK.

Shallow Brood
Queen not seen.
See general for Queen Cells.
7 frames of brood.
Stores OK.

General
1 emerged Queen Cell and 2xsealed left.
Pollen coming in and cells being polished.
Bee Temper: 8
Varroa count: unknown

Hive #8
Instructor: SBI
Class: General
Double Brood and half, on slab.

Bottom Deep Brood
No Queen seen.
1 damaged and 2 unsealed Queen Cells removed eggs available..
6 frames of brood including 1 day old eggs.
Adequate stores..

Top Deep Brood
No Queen seen.
2 charged Queen Cells removed, eggs available.
6 frames of brood including 1 day old eggs.
Adequate stores.

Shallow Brood
No Queen seen.
No Queen Cells.
No brood.
Frames being drawn and filled with stores.
Queen excluder moved under box changing function to super.

General
Bee Temper: 7
Shallow box of foundation added to top of hive.
Varroa count: Nil

ACTIONS
Hive #1
Check for laying.

Nucleus #2
Check for laying.
Refresh stores frame.
Add sealed brood (from #8) if eggs.

Nucleus #3
Refresh stores frame.
Add sealed brood (from #8).

Hive #4
Awaiting emergence and mating of queen leave 4 weeks.

Hive #6
Check for laying if pollen, otherwise leave for 3 weeks.

Hive #8
Potential to perform Artificial swarm if  Queen found.
Use as donor for sealed brood for nuc's.
 

4th May 2014 - Swarm

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General Apiary
Temperature 13C, weather sunny. Time 14:30

Due to hopeful Virgin Queen mating flights in Hive#1 and Nucs #2 & #3 inspections restricted to Beginner inspection of #4 and #6 and Novice inspection of #8. Swarm found high in hawthorn tree on arrival.

Hive #4

Instructor: FW
Class: Beginner

Single Brood, on slab.

Deep Brood

Queen not seen.

5 unsealed and 1 sealed Queen Cells found. 2 charged unsealed cells left on marked frame.

7 frames of brood in all stages including 3 day old eggs.
4 frame of stores..

General

Bee Temper: 9

Frames of 2 supers repositioned for space.
Varroa board not checked.

Hive#6

Instructor: TB
Class: Beginner
Brood and half, on slab.

Deep Brood
Queen not seen.
See general for Queen Cells.
5 frames of brood.
2 frames of stores

Shallow Brood
Queen not seen.
See general for Queen Cells.
6 frames of brood.
6 frames of stores.

General
6 sealed and 1 unsealed Queen Cells found. 1 sealed and 1 unsealed queen cell left.
Bee Temper: 9
Varroa count: nil

Hive #8
Instructor: BD
Class: Novice
Double Brood, on slab.

Bottom Deep Brood
No Queen seen.
No Queen Cells.
6 frames of brood including eggs.
3 frames of stores half full plus brood periphery.
2 empty drawn frames.

Top Deep Brood
No Queen seen.
2 charged Queen Cells in supersedure position removed, eggs available.
8 frames of brood including eggs.
2 frames of stores plus 1 frame half full plus brood periphery.

General
Bee Temper: 7
Super not yet been drawn. Removed Queen excluder to encourage drawing.
Varroa board checked and low drop (<1 per day).

27th April 2014 - April Showers

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General Apiary
Temperature 12C, weather showery (heavy). Time 14:30

Due to inclement weather inspections restricted to Novice inspection of #8 and Beginner inspection of #4. Hive #1 and Nucleii #2 & #3 should have newly emerged virgin queens in residence pending mating flights. Hive #6 Varroa Board checked - zero drop.
We appear to have had visitors and shelter been used as toilet! Shallow box of foundation frames appears to have disappeared from Hive #4 with shallow brood put above Queen Excluder or there has been an error in the records.

Hive #4

Instructor: TB/NP
Class: Beginner

Single Brood, on slab.

Deep Brood

Queen seen.

5 Unsealed and 1 sealed Queen Cells destroyed.

4 frames of Brood including eggs.

Sufficient stores.

General

Bee Temper: 9

Super heavy with 7 frames. 2nd super of foundation added (under).
Varroa board not checked.

Hive #8
Instructor: BD
Class: Novice
Double Brood, on slab.

Bottom Deep Brood
No Queen seen.
No Queen Cells.
6 frames of brood including eggs.
3 frames of stores half full plus brood periphery.
2 empty drawn frames.

Top Deep Brood
No Queen seen.
Single charged Queen Cell in swarm position removed, plenty of eggs.
10 frames of brood including eggs.
2 frames of stores half full plus brood periphery.

General
Bee Temper: 6
Super not yet been drawn.
Varroa board checked and low drop (<1 per day).

19th April 2014 - Easter Saturday

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

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General Apiary
Temperature 10C, weather fair. Time 14:30

Due to low temperature inspections restricted to Novice inspection of #4 and Improver inspection of #1. Varroa board on #5 checked and low (1 per day). Board under #8 scraped clean as removed so no reading, reinserted with board inverted.

Hive #1

Instructor: BD

Class: Improver

Brood and half, on grass.
Sealed Queen cells left at last inspection. Plan to make up 2 mating nuclei with Queen Cells and reduce Queen Cells in hive to 2 in order to reduce possibility of casts.
Removed top super - bees populating but no drawing out yet.
Bottom super contained brood and Queen Cells!
Moved QX above shallow brood.
Went through shallow brood put frame with 2 sealed Queen Cells in nuclei with deep brood and stores frame. Removed all other Queen Cells.
Left 2 Queen Cells in deep box (1 on each of first 2 deep frames). Went through rest of deep frames removing Queen cells. Pulled virgin Queen from one Queen Cell put in 2nd nuclei with 2 brood frames and stores frame.
Plenty of stores.
Bee Temper: 9.
Varroa board inserted.
Nucleii located at positions 2 & 3 with grass in entrances.
 

Hive #4

Instructor: BD
Class: Novice

Brood and half, on slab.

Bottom Deep Brood

No Queen seen.

No Queen Cells.

5 frames of Brood including no eggs.

1 frame of stores plus brood frame periphery.
2 empty drawn frames.

4 frames foundation or partially drawn frames.

Top Shallow Brood

No Queen seen.

No Queen Cells.

4 frames of Brood including no eggs.

2 frames of stores plus brood frame periphery.
1 empty drawn frame.
4 frames of foundation or partially drawn frames.

 

Bee Temper: 9

Queen Excluder replaced right way up.
Super not yet being drawn.
Removed eke and empty fondant container.

Varroa board checked and low drop (5/6 per day).
Although Queen and eggs not seen young larvae were and no Queen cells.

13th April 2014 - First Inspection

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General Apiary
Temperature 13C, weather sunny. Time 14:30

The shelter has dried out.

Hive #1

Instructor: TB

Class: Beginner

Brood and half, on grass.
No Queen seen, believed swarmed.
7xSealed Queen cells, 2xUnsealed Queen Cells
Plenty of stores.
Bee Temper: 9.
Woodpecker Guard and Mouseguard removed.
Queen Excluder and super of foundation added.

Bottom Deep Brood
8 frames Brood including few eggs and unsealed larvae.

Top Shallow Brood
6 frames Brood including few eggs and unsealed larvae.

Hive #4

Instructor: FW
Class: Beginner

Brood and half, on slab.

Queen seen in bottom Deep box.

4 frames of brood.

2 frames stores.

2 new frames added to brood box.

Bee Temper: 9

Woodpecker protection and entrance block removed.

Queen Excluder fitted with super.

Varroa board inserted.

 

Hive #6
Instructor: BD 

Class: Novice

Brood and half, on slab.

 

Bottom Deep Brood

No Queen seen.

No Queen Cells.

5 frames of Brood including eggs.

2 frame of stores plus brood frame periphery.

4 frames foundation or partially drawn frames. 1 Foundation frame moved next to brood nest either side, holed and disfigured comb replaced.

 

Top Shallow Brood

Unmarked Queen seen and marked red.

No Queen Cells.

7 frames of Brood including eggs and sealed drone brood plus play cups.

5 frames of stores plus brood frame periphery.

 

General

Bee Temper: 8

Woodpecker Cage and Mouseguard removed. All fondant gone, removed carton and eke.

Floor already clean.

Brace comb cleaned from frames.

Wild comb built through crownboard into fondant carton removed.

Queen Excluder and Super of foundation frames added.

Varroa Board inserted.

Hive #8 (renumbered from #5)

Instructor: BD

Class: Novice

Double brood, on grass.

 

Bottom Deep Brood

Replaced shallow frame with dummy board.

No Queen seen.

No Queen Cells.

5 frames of Brood including eggs.

1 frame of stores plus brood frame periphery.

4 frames foundation or partially drawn frames. 1 Foundation frame moved next to brood nest either side, holed and disfigured comb replaced.

 

Top Deep Brood

Unmarked Queen seen and marked red.

No Queen Cells.

7 frames of Brood including eggs and sealed drone brood.

1 frame of stores plus brood frame periphery.

2 partially drawn frames.
2 frames foundation moved next to brood nest either side

 

General

Bee Temper: 9

Woodpecker Cage and Mouseguard removed. All fondant gone, removed carton and eke.

Floor cleaned.

Brace comb cleaned from frames.

Queen Excluder and Super of foundation frames added.

Varroa Board inserted.

23rd March 2014 - Feed Check and Annual Equipment Clean.

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

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General

Temperature 3C, weather sunny. Time 13:30

 

Woodpecker cages on all hives.

 

Local Oil Seed Rape beginning to flower.

The shelter flood has started to subside.

Took spare equipment to annual cleaning day. Returned with following spares:
3x Stand; Floor; Queen Excluder; Deep with 11 Hoffman frames of wired foundation; Crown Board; Roof.
3x Shallow with 11 Hoffman Frames.
5x Queen Excluders
6x Varroa Boards
1x Roof

Hive #1

Brood and half, on grass. Mouseguard on. Hefted medium. Previous fondant gone. Added new carton of fondant (700g).

Hive #4

Brood and half, on slab. This has wooden entrance excluder rather than Mouseguard. Hefted medium.  Still has fondant from last feed looks untouched. Bees down in deep brood and clustered.

 

Hive #5

Double brood, on grass. Mouseguard on. Hefted medium. Added new carton of fondant (700g).

Hive #6

Brood and half, on slab. Mouseguard on. Hefted medium. Added new carton of fondant (700g).

General Actions
Check stores again in 2 weeks time - first Apiary Meeting.
General inspection. Remove Mouseguards and Woodpecker cages. Clean floors; Insert Varroa Boards; Check Queens are marked.
Renumber hives #5 and #6 to reflect positions.

4th March 2014 - Feed Check

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General

Temperature 7C, weather fair. Time 14:30

 

Woodpecker cages on all hives.

 

The shelter is still  flooded.

Hive #1

Brood and half, on grass. Mouseguard on. Bees flying. Hefted light. Previous fondant gone. Added new carton of fondant (150g).

Hive #4

Brood and half, on slab. This has wooden entrance excluder rather than Mouseguard. Bees flying. Hefted medium.  Added new carton of fondant (150g).

 

Hive #5

Double brood, on grass. Mouseguard on. Bees flying. Hefted light. Still has fondant left from last feed.

Hive #6

Brood and half, on slab. Mouseguard on. Bees flying. Hefted light. Still has fondant left from last feed.

Actions
Check stores again in 2 weeks time.

13th February 2014 - Stores Check

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General

Temperature 5C, weather fair. Time 14:30

 

Woodpecker cages on all hives.

 

The shelter is still  flooded.

Hive #1

Brood and half, on grass. Mouseguard on. Bees low, failed to respond to knock but seen when checked. Hefted medium. Added carton of fondant (150g).

Hive #4

Brood and half, on slab. This has wooden entrance excluder rather than Mouseguard. Bees low, failed to respond to knock but seen when checked. Hefted medium. Lots of stores in half brood.

 

Hive #5

Double brood, on grass. Mouseguard on. Bees low, failed to respond to knock but seen when checked. Hefted medium/light. Added carton of fondant (150g). Moved to 'circle'.

Hive #6

Brood and half, on slab. Mouseguard on. Bees low, failed to respond to knock but seen when checked. Hefted medium. Added carton of fondant (150g).

Actions
Check stores again in 2 weeks time.

23rd January 2014 - Stores Check

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014. It is intended to publish here all the activities that take place in the apiary.

For security reasons please do not mention geographic or personal details when posting a comment.

General

Temperature 5C, weather fair.

 

Woodpecker cages on all hives.

 

The shelter is still  flooded.

Hive #1

Brood and half, on grass. Mouseguard on. Bees low, responded to knock. Hefted medium.

Hive #4

Brood and half, on slab. This has wooden entrance excluder rather than Mouseguard. Bees low, failed to respond to knock but seen when checked. Hefted medium.

 

Hive #5

Double brood, on grass. Mouseguard on. Bees low, failed to respond to knock but seen when checked. Hefted medium/light.

Hive #6

Brood and half, on slab. Mouseguard on. Bees low, responded to knock. Hefted medium.

Actions
Check stores again in 2 weeks time.

14th January 2014 - Oxalic Acid Application

General

Temperature 6C, weather dry but cloudy.

 

Woodpecker cages on all hives.

 

The bomb shelter is flooded with some detritus including wooden boxes floating.

Small branch from little oak tree has come down but no danger to hives. Large pine on drive has fallen fortuitously away from drive.

 

No sign of clusters at top of hives so assume adequate food in all hives. Suggest hefting in approx 2 weeks time to check for stores.

Hive #1

Brood and half, on grass so unable to detect fallen cappings. Mouseguard on. Oxalic acid applied to 7 seams. Bees low in hive odd one said hello.

Hive #4

Brood and half, on slab with fallen cappings under hive. This has wooden entrance excluder rather than Mouseguard. Oxalic acid applied to 7 seams low in hive. No bees seen at all.

 

Hive #5

Double brood, on grass so unable to detect fallen cappings. Mouseguard on. Oxalic acid applied to 7 seams. Bees low in hive odd one said hello.

Hive #6

Brood and half, on slab with fallen cappings under hive. Mouseguard on. Oxalic acid applied to 5 seams. Bees low in hive odd one said hello.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome

Welcome to the Petersfield & District Beekeeper's Apiary Blog for 2014.

It is intended that this blog be used to publish the activities that take place in the apiary.

For security reasons please do not mention geographic or personal details.