4th May 2014 - Swarm

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 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).