I didn't really check out the cause of the problem when I was there before because I was so upset, so I opened the hive on this visit and brought the boxes back home. Clearly the hive had been robbed out, and left so weakened that the small hive beetle took advantage of the opportunity.
The other hive was almost completely covered with weeds. It was totally in the shade and had kudzu and other brambles all over the entry. I didn't take a before picture, but I wish I had. The bees were still flying happily in and out of the hive. I knew this vegetation situation was likely so I brought my hedge clippers with me. I went to work and freed the hive from most of the vegetation.
When I opened it, I was shocked (in all the previous shade) to find that I only saw one small hive beetle in the hive. Perhaps they were all satiated on the frames from the other hive?
This hive has honey in all three boxes and brood in the bottom box. I really wanted to taste their honey. The top box is likely sourwood, but they had not completely capped the honey in those frames, so I brought back a frame from the middle box.
I didn't come prepared for harvest transport, so after brushing off the bees, I put the frame into a pillow case (I'm now using them for hive drapes like Julia taught me), and brought it back to Atlanta. I crushed and strained it and now have three pounds of luscious grape-flavored honey, likely from the kudzu all around the creek bed where the hive is located!
(The HIDDEN honey frame).
Hi, Linda.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the serene pictures-- looks like a beautiful lake and a happy place for both bees and people.
Could you explain how you use a pillowcase as a hive drape?
Thanks!
A pillow case fits perfectly on the top of a box with little draping over the sides. We (Julia, Noah, and I) use two pillow cases as we inspect a hive so that the hive is covered except for the frame we are inspecting. When we take a box off of the hive and set it on the top cover, we cover it with a pillow case while we work on another box. The bees stay so calm that we rarely if ever use smoke. We always light the smoker, but set it at the hive entrance and use the pillow cases. The bees are much less disturbed and calm. I'm a believer! (and it's a great use for old pillow cases).
ReplyDeleteQUESTION: Is there an herb or flowering plant I can plant UNDER & AROUND my hive stands to kill or repel the larvae & developing small hive beetles? I thought I remembered seeing Marjoram mentioned, but can't find it & the Ag Extension has no clues. I've done a search for grubs & larvae (in general) & African, French or Mexican marigolds, Tansy, Horseradish, Radishes & Catnip seem to have an effect generally on several types of beetle larvae.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on an artificial swarm & putting in new stands, & it's a lot less exciting to dig & cultivate before I install a live hive :-)
Any ideas? Thanks
Best thing I know is to pour nematodes on the ground around the hives. And to have strong hives.
ReplyDelete