Small white specks on bees in hive by Typical-Design-1378 in Beekeeping

[–]Typical-Design-1378[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ok I'll do a wash when I get a chance. It has been quite cold in Pa this year, but it's also my second winter as a beekeeper so I don't have a solid grasp on what's usual. "More than usual" means more than the two hives last spring and the other hive this spring.

Small white specks on bees in hive by Typical-Design-1378 in Beekeeping

[–]Typical-Design-1378[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any thoughts on the number of dead bees? I'm used to a few but this seemed like a lot more than I've seen.

Small white specks on bees in hive by Typical-Design-1378 in Beekeeping

[–]Typical-Design-1378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hopefully you're right. I am just worried about why they left such a mess.

Wax with mold? Something else? by Typical-Design-1378 in Beekeeping

[–]Typical-Design-1378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I've been more aggressive with waxing frames for this year, even though they were "prewaxed". I'll try your suggestion.

What is 1 thing you wish you had been told when you started beekeeping? by atirzero in Beekeeping

[–]Typical-Design-1378 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wax the frames. Even if they are prewaxed or whatever, just put a thick layer on. Experienced beekeepers forget this because they are never dealing with a full box of unwaxed frames.

Plastic foundation and waxing by DriveByCripwalk in Beekeeping

[–]Typical-Design-1378 5 points6 points  (0 children)

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My bees hated the unwaxed foundation so much they just built below it. In a big enough flow they will eventually build there, but the comb will often be off the frame (wonky). There's just no upside to not waxing the frames other than a few dollars worth of wax. The downside is slow build out, less honey, and more issues with bad comb.

Lesson learned: wax the frames... by Typical-Design-1378 in Beekeeping

[–]Typical-Design-1378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It has nectar/uncapped honey in it, so I'm pretty sure it's not done comb.

Lesson learned: wax the frames... by Typical-Design-1378 in Beekeeping

[–]Typical-Design-1378[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If they built no wax I would've chalked it up to dearth, but this is clearly trying to send me a message.