Swarm Season Is Here

We are at the beginning of swarm season here in Cincinnati.  As the nectar flow strengthens the bees will start to produce swarm (queen) cells.  

What is swarming?  Swarming is the natural way bees create more hives.

When a swarm leaves the hive they cluster on a near by structure (tree, bush, deck, etc.).  The swarm then sends out scout bees to find a new location for them to live.  This is when we typically are able to catch them.

 Why is it important to help relocate them?  Sometimes  these swarms can end up in a location they are not welcome (school yards, sheds, house soffits).  When this happens some people are unaware of the importance of bees and can end up spraying them with insecticides, killing them.

What do you do if you see a swarm?  If you see a swarm, remember they are calm and are just looking for a new place to live.  Be kind to them and call an experienced beekeeper to relocate them.  You can help by sharing this information with friends and family to educate them.
 

Want to see what it looks like inside of a hive when it swarms? Click HERE to see how our observation hive swarmed last season.  At the end Cory was able to catch the queen as she was coming out to relocate them.

What happen next?  This particular hive was interesting to watch.  They attempted to swarm 3 times but the last time we were able to catch the queen and then do a split.  Click HERE to see what it looked like when we opened it up.

Want to see what a swarm looks like as it forms on a tree branch?  Click HERE to see this hives first attempt at swarming.  They landed on a tree branch before they decided to go back into the hive.
 

If you are in the Cincinnati area please give us a call if you see a swarm or any other local beekeeper.
513.673.0503
Krystle@gaiserbeeco.com

Preparing your bees for winter

Photo credit to Amanda B Griffin Photography

Preparing your bees for Winter

The cold months are upon us which means that the largest amount of colony losses is right around the corner.  It is important to do your hive inspections before the cold temperature sets in.  We wanted to share some tips on what to look for in your upcoming inspections.  From the right amount of food to hive location.

Photo credit Amanda B Griffin photography 

FOOD
Honey bees are cold blooded insects that regulate their own body temperature and do not hibernate during the winter months.  Instead, they will vibrate their flight muscles, creating friction to keep the hive at about 93 degrees fahrenheit .  In order to do this, they need energy.  The honey bees will eat the stored honey during the months they can not forage.  This is why adequate food storage is crucial.  
How much honey is good?  The general thought is 70-90 lbs. per hive here in the mid-west region but keep in mind that climate will play a role in this amount.  Please check with other local beekeepers if your climate is different then ours.
Do I feed my bees?  Yes, we feed.  During fall months we feed our bees a 2:1 sugar:water solution to help them store up.  We have a DIY article on making your own feeder if you are interested in how we feed.  Click here.
Are there other ways to feed?  Yes there are, it is called "dry feeding".  You can do this by placing granulated sugar on newspaper on top of the frames in the top box.  This method is best used as "in-hive" feeding during cold months when liquid feeding is contraindicated .  Other options are fondant "bee candy" and pollen pattys.  Simple recipes can be found online.

Photo credit Amanda B Griffin Photography

HIVE INSPECTION
"When the Queen is happy, there is peace in the Kingdom", a quote that I heard once and enjoyed.  Going into winter with strong, healthy Queens free of disease will give your hive a better chance at survival.  The Queens age will also be a factor for survival.  Some beekeepers will re-queen a second season Queen because she has a 50:50 chance of failure over winter.
What should I look for on my fall inspection?

• Pest management which includes mite counts and treating if indicated.  
• Check for hive beetles and wax moths that may be looming in the crevices.  
• Ensure to visualize adequate food stored in the combs.  
• Make sure you have brood, the pattern should be tight as a spotty brood pattern can indict a poorly laying queen.
• Your worker bee population should be large, if your numbers are low you may need to combined smaller colonies (see video).
• Eliminate unused space.  If you observe that your bees are not storing food or laying eggs in a particular box, remove that unused space.  The extra space will welcome unwanted guests.

Photo credit Amanda B Griffin Photography

EXTERIOR PREPARATION  

• If not already done, your hives should be facing the southeast direction. It is important to have early morning sun and  direct sunshine most of the day.
• Moisture will form on the lid of the hive as the bees consume the honey.  Absorbent material can be used in exchange for your inner cover to help diffuse moisture.  These can be purchased or can be made.  Absorbent boards can be purchased or you can make your own "quilt box".
• Angling the hive also aids in safe moisture run-off.  This can be done by placing shims under the rear of the bottom board, slightly elevating the back of the hive.
• By propping the top open, between the telescoping cover and inner, you can create an alternative exit for your bees.  This may come useful in months where your entrance may be blocked do to snow. Without proper ventilation they can suffocate. We use a simple twig about the diameter of a pencil as a spacer. This also aids in ventilation.
• Wind breaks and wrapping may come in handy.  Using a wind break (such as a piece of privacy fence or plywood) creates a barrier from damaging winds.  Hive wraps can be used to add exterior installation or to absorb UV light for added heat.  We use 2" foam installation to cover our hives or you can purchase pre-fabricated ones.

Hope you enjoyed our tips for planning for winter.

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Hope you enjoyed our tips for planning for winter.  If you have any comments or concerns please feel free to contact us.
Have a good inspection! 
Krystle & Cory Gaiser

What are my bees doing?

Your first thought when you see this photo may be a fearful ..."Umm, what is happening?" But do not worry.  What you are seeing is called "bearding".

During the hot months honey bees will cluster on the outside of the hive and the term we use to describe this is bearding .  It can be quite frightening in the beginning when you are trying to determine what is going on but no need to fear.  This is not only normal but also can be a great sign that you have a strong colony with a large population. 

So why do they do this?
Honey bees control the temperature of their hive during warm months by fanning to keep the hive ventilated and maintain it at about 93 degrees.  When we enter months with high humidity and high temperatures combined that with high populations, they will begin bearding on the front of the boxes.  Over crowding can make it hard to keep the hive ventilated and overheating can be damaging to the brood.

Could this a sign of swarming?
While a swarming hive will happen suddenly and be pouring out of the entrance is large qualities, bearding  is very calm and quiet.

What do I do now?
Although bearding is generally a good sign, be sure to check your hive.  Do they have enough space? You probably already know the living situation of your honey bees if you monitor them regularly but it is something to think about.  Providing more space, like an additional deep or honey supers, will allow for them to continue building and filling comb.

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Hope this helps with any concerns you may have about bearding.  Feel free to contact us with any other questions or concerns.

Krystle & Cory Gaiser