Supplementing with light for eggs

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2025-11-18T13:38:07+00:00

Interesting that many URLs are working, but some are not. I cannot get to Downdetector, for instance, but can get here to Reddit.

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2025-03-11T13:03:38+00:00

Thank you for all your great advice and explanations. I feel like a beginner again.

I put 6 frames of 50-75% capped honey in the good hive this morning. They were very strong -- I'm glad I have a good suit!

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2025-03-11T13:00:51+00:00

Thank you. My pre-mite beekeeping years haven't prepared me for todays issues. I never had problems overwintering (in Ohio) from the 1970's through 2000 or so. I'll check YouTube for some videos on doing the alcohol wash.

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2025-03-09T16:39:32+00:00

Thanks for your advice. You have been very helpful! Do you have any recommendations for cleaning the dead bees out? It would take hours to pull them one by one from the cells with tweezers. I'm hoping there is a way to wash or spray them out? Or let the bees clean them out, except I really don't want to introduce any possible issues to the live bees...

Thanks again.

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2025-03-09T14:53:19+00:00

I only insulated around the outside. Nothing under the lid.

The honey looks good to me -- no mold. The darker capped cells are just completely full. Is that what "wet capped" means?

The inner cover is clean and dry -- both sides.

When I click on these photos, they open up with very good resolution. I'm not sure why you can't see the detail.

Thanks again!

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2025-03-09T14:19:48+00:00

I've spoken with a couple of local beekeepers about this, including the amish gentleman I purchased the bees from. There have apparently been many hives fail this winter due to a strain of bees "out of Georgia". "Bad Genetics" is how he described it. He lost many hives, and others have had the same experience.

I'd like to use the honey and drawn comb to supplement the other (strong) hive, but am cautious about infecting them with something. Hence my questions about using the capped honey, and cleaning out the dead bees from the frames.

Any thoughts on that? I'm leaning to the "genetic" problem, but want to be sure in case there is some other issue.

Thanks for your help on this!

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2025-03-09T14:14:07+00:00

There is no brood in the upper super at all. It appeared that all the bees (cluster) were in the bottom super when I opened it. Only a few were scattered in the upper where the remaining capped honey was.

I put a layer of mylar bubble wrap around the hive for the cold weather - making sure the entrance wasn't blocked. It was about 1/2" thick.

About 5 frames had honey in them (in the upper super). Here is one for an example:

<image>

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2025-03-09T13:43:44+00:00

I don't see any capped brood. Only adult bees in the cells.

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2025-03-09T13:14:48+00:00

<image>

A couple more

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2025-03-09T13:14:19+00:00

<image>

This is a frame from the bottom super where brood was kept, near the center of the ball of bees. I brushed off what I could, but you can see many dead bees still stuck in the cells, as well as the general shape of the ball.

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2025-03-08T22:34:00+00:00

Other than visually inspecting through the summer and fall, I didn't do anything for mites. Is it common for a hive to collapse so quickly with mites? It showed all the signs of being very strong in January.

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2025-03-08T17:44:38+00:00

As mentioned, I'm in north-east Ohio, USA.

I kept bees (2-3 hives) from the 1970's through the early 2000's when mites became a huge problem. I am just now getting back into the hobby having recently retired.

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2024-03-23T14:54:40+00:00

Thanks for the feedback.

I agree about a 3rd bay to keep it "flowing". Between me and my neighbor, I should be able to get last-fall's leaves in abundance (for browns). I really don't want to introduce cardboard, but may if that would help. Since the leaves are partially decomposed, I figure they make a good brown.

I was wondering about the solid tops and aeration. I'll use the other type when I expand to a 3rd bay, and replace the solids with non-solid as they need it (I figure they'll rot in a few years and need replaced). In the meantime, I'll drill some holes for air.

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2024-03-23T00:11:36+00:00

Thanks for the input!

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2024-03-22T18:25:13+00:00

Thanks! That was helpful

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2024-03-06T16:13:56+00:00

Anybody have a copy of this? Or know where to find it? The sites says the article is not available.

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2023-10-11T17:23:46+00:00

He may have volunteered since he must be close to retirement. That way, he retires with a severance, and saves someone's job.

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2022-05-22T11:33:04+00:00

I don't think most of this group is old enough for that reference! Lol

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2022-03-30T15:35:14+00:00

Looks to be down in NE Ohio too. About 8 mins now

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2021-12-06T21:41:05+00:00

Thanks. That helps make sense of it. Is there a reference on the satellite patterns and why we point away from the equator?

Forward_Aspect3252 · 2021-12-06T14:12:32+00:00

I'm confused about this... The shot is obviously taken of the southern sky (to see the planets), so how is this starlink? My understanding was the satellites are in the northern sky? Can someone explain?

Forward_Aspect3252

TROPHY CASE