View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
elderken New Bee

Joined: 11 Aug 2014 Posts: 6 Location: USA, Arizona, Rimrock (Center of the state)
|
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 5:11 pm Post subject: How often may I look in a new Top Bar colony? |
|
|
I did a very rugged cutout of a feral hive in a space under a boulder in the desert. Vacuumed 3 or so pounds of bees, and got 8 good pieces of brood comb, and a little honey. I did NOT get a queen. I attached the comb to my bars with hair clips and zip ties a la: Taylor McCartney. After three days they seem to have settled down and are coming and going well.
I live in Rimrock, AZ at 3500' elevation. Very similar climate to Austin TX, just a lot dryer.
Questions:
How often can I peek inside to see what they're doing without scaring them away? (I really want to watch how they deal with the comb attachment and how they work the brood.)
How often should I check for cross-combing? (I'm concerned that my hair clip attachment is not the straightest or greatest.)
Thx!
Ken
“Practicing Christlikeness”
Luke 9:23-27 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
elderken New Bee

Joined: 11 Aug 2014 Posts: 6 Location: USA, Arizona, Rimrock (Center of the state)
|
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 4:34 am Post subject: Will a picture help with answers? |
|
|
I really want to hear from you more experienced Beeks! Or is my question too common? Well, here's a picture of my Top Bar Box:
(Just found out I can't include images until I post 5 times. Well, this should be #2.) |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
zaunreiter Moderator Bee

Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 3097 Location: Germany, NorthWest
|
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 5:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
I do look every week at the beginning. First time after three days, than weekly. Once set, every two weeks or monthly. Just checking from the sides not a full inspection. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
elderken New Bee

Joined: 11 Aug 2014 Posts: 6 Location: USA, Arizona, Rimrock (Center of the state)
|
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 6:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
Anything I need to do while they, hopefully, make a queen? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
zaunreiter Moderator Bee

Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 3097 Location: Germany, NorthWest
|
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 6:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
Continue to add comb with young larvae or even better buy in a queen. If you wait too long they become drone layers. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Che Guebuddha Golden Bee

Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 1551 Location: Hårlev, Stevns Kommune, Denmark
|
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 6:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
It is possible that the eggs and young larvae have dried out during the cut out, so maybe they have no "material" to raise a new Queen.
I would try and make a full inspection in 10-14 days to see if there any occupied Queen Cups on the combs. If not then introduce a new Queen (local if possible).
Letting them go longer without a Queen will create a Laying Worker which will only lay drone brood = death of the colony.
All this said, there is also a possibility you have got the original Queen and she is laying new eggs as we speak. When doing the inspection look for newly laid eggs too.
Good luck! |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
AugustC Silver Bee

Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 613 Location: Malton, North Yorkshire
|
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 8:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
Honestly, I would let them settle in.
Give them at least two weeks left completely alone. This should allow them time to attach comb (with feeding). It will also give them a chance to calm down. After something that stressful the colony may take a long while to calm down, it depends on the colony. As it gets cooler you want to be inpecting less anyway as to reseal the hive after an inspection will become harder and harder for them. Personally, I would be inclined to leave them alone completely for even longer and feed plenty. Even if they end up cross combing you can always worry about that it spring. The main thing now is to get them healthy, settled and ready for winter. I know other will disagree about the crosscombing so make sure you read all responses before you decide on what to do. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
elderken New Bee

Joined: 11 Aug 2014 Posts: 6 Location: USA, Arizona, Rimrock (Center of the state)
|
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 2:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thank you for these responses! I saw no activity indicating the presence of a queen.
How far away from the hive do you recommend I place honey to feed them? When I first started with bees, I put a mason jar feeder with syrup over a bird bath that's about 10 feet from the hive. I've since read that to reduce robbing feed should be located much farther away. I can put it in the hive with a follower board with a access hole and the 2-jar feeder behind that. There would be no access to the feed except through the hive. My only hesitation to putting it in the hive is that it will occupy the space of 4 bars. The Hive is only 3' long, and I am concerned reducing that by 5" will crowd them. Also, I'd have to open the box to install the feeder.
Your take? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
trekmate Golden Bee

Joined: 30 Nov 2009 Posts: 1137 Location: UK, North Yorkshire, Bentham
|
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
If you feed outside the hive you'll be feeding a LOT more than your bees as well as risking robbing. I only feed directly in the hive. Behind the follower is a good option.
Also only use honey from the colony you're feeding, or you risk introducing disease. Sugar syrup also works well. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
AugustC Silver Bee

Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 613 Location: Malton, North Yorkshire
|
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
ps to trekmate's post: Put the feed on in the evening so they can clear most of it overnight. This reduces the chance robbing and means bees aren't split between outside forage and inside feed. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
elderken New Bee

Joined: 11 Aug 2014 Posts: 6 Location: USA, Arizona, Rimrock (Center of the state)
|
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 9:43 pm Post subject: Final Chapter |
|
|
Sunday, 21SEP, while installing a robbing screen I noticed little activity at the entrance. Upon opening the box I found empty combs and less than 25 bees. No evidence of any fully-formed queen cells. So, I guess, natural attrition and the pressure from the robbers killed the little colony.
I keep learning. Now, I'm gearing up to trap/capture some swarms come spring.
Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge! |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Paul Reyes Nurse Bee
Joined: 14 Aug 2014 Posts: 26 Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
|
Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 7:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
When starting out it is advised to at list check on them twice a week at most so they can get used to the environment. As they get busy to can check on them once a week. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
SPECIAL OFFER FOR UK FORUM MEMBERS - Buy your protective clothing here and get a special 15% discount! (use the code BAREFOOTBEEKEEPER at checkout and be sure to 'update basket')
Are the big energy companies bleeding you dry?
Is way too much of your hard-earned family income going up in smoke?
Are you worried about what could happen if the ageing grid system fails?
You need to watch this short video NOW to find out how YOU can cut your energy bills TO THE BONE within 30 days!
WATCH THE VIDEO NOW
|
Conserving wild bees
Research suggests that bumble bee boxes have a very low success rate in actually attracting bees into them. We find that if you create an environment where first of all you can attract mice inside, such as a pile of stones, a drystone wall, paving slabs with intentionally made cavities underneath, this will increase the success rate.
Most bumble bee species need a dry space about the size a football, with a narrow entrance tunnel approximately 2cm in diameter and 20 cm long. Most species nest underground along the base of a linear feature such as a hedge or wall. Sites need to be sheltered and out of direct sunlight.
There is a spectacular display of wild bee hotels here
More about bumblebees and solitary bees here
Information about the Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum)
|
|
|
Barefoot Beekeeper Podcast
|
|
|
|
4th Edition paperback now available from Lulu.com
|
site map
php. BB © 2001, 2005 php. BB Group
View topic - How often may I look in a new Top Bar colony? - Natural Beekeeping Network Forum
|
|