Visited the Four Elements Farm Apiary today. We found the colonies doing very well, they have closed off 2/3 of their access wholes and had bees returning with pollen at the open entrances. No pest seemed present, so all seems well. We will be placing bricks underneath the legs to prevent future rain mishaps.
Archive for the ‘Four Elements Farm’ Category
Apiary Visit
Sunday, November 8th, 2009
Tbh propolis doors
Monday, August 24th, 2009Checked the colonies Saturday, was thinking about corking up some openings for the fall. I use simple corks to reduce the colonies entrance in the fall and winter. I was checking the entrances and the ladies had already closed up half of the entrances with propolis. To my surprise the energetic bees had already closed the doors. I took acouple photos but I don’t think the photos let you see the fantastic work they did.
I also reapplied the crawling insect barrier to the stand of the tbh’s. I had discovered a light trail of ants on one colony.
Apairy Check
Monday, August 17th, 2009Patrick and I checked the apiary today Sunday August 16th. Two colonies are really doing very well. They have mutiple bars of honey capped and uncapped. Whatever the flow is these two colonies are making the most of it, really pulling it in and storing it away. This is great considering these colonies are swarms from this year.
The other two colonies aren’t doing as well they both have some stores but not even close to the production of the other two. They weaker colonies don’t have very many workers either. We plan on requeening them Wednesday with new mated VSH queens from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Apiary check
Saturday, August 8th, 2009Excellent weather today two very healthy colonies and two that I plan on requeening with calpoy slo queens. Plenty of pollen and nectar coming in, didn’t notice any type of parasite infestation. Ray and Julia manipulated the first colony and located the queen.
Top Bar Hive @ The Farm
Monday, July 13th, 2009Julia and I did a quick Apiary check today with the help of Ray from Four Elements Farm. It was about 5pm with a mild 85 to 90 degree temperature, no wind to speak of and pleasant under the tree for the bees and us.
All four TBHs had laying queens, brood, and honey, with no sign of ants or other pests. The Colony are remarkable calm and peaceful, very easy to manipulate. I did notice a few more crossed bars with comb, but that will be easy to remedy with the next Honey flow.
It is a pleasure to work with such calm colonies and it is actual relaxing. We took our time and checked each colony for eggs and brood. Also found the Queen in one hive, she appeared in excellent shape very busy.