Rescued a wild colony that setup 'shop' in a basement!

After pulling off sheetrock and some gentle cool smoke to calm them down a bit.

We gently transferred the removed combs with brood to temporary frames use rubber bands to keep the comb upright in on the frame.  Then, the frame was put into a normal 8 frame box.  Later that evening, I carefully placed these boxes onto an existing hive for merging.  This is important because the existing hive provides the warmth to keep this brood warm.  Yes, it is hot during the day but by early morning it would be in the 50's which might hurt and chill the developing brood.  

We hope for the best!  It was very rewarding saving them as the owner wanted them removed which would involve killing them. 

Temp frame solution - using rubber bands

Using DuMor Probiotic Recipe for 1:1 treatment

Recipe:  2 CC of Probiotic power to 1 gallon of syrup (Warm)

1 Tsp of  DuMor Amino Acid/Vitamin mix

Mix thoroughly. 

Pro-DFM and Powder Sugar Dispenser/Applicator Idea

 So, I've been using this 'pro-biotic' for some time now and I find it really helps!  

But the problem was getting the application in - using a spoon and container.  Of course, I would spill the stuff from time to time so this afternoon I came up with an idea.  A 'pro-dfm' shaker.

Its a big 'salt shaker' using an old peanut butter jar.  It was washed and cleaned out and I drilled some holes in the lid.  It has a 1 to 1 mix ratio of the Pro-DFM and Powder Sugar.

1/8th inch holes

Just a few shakes and its on!  NO spoon, No Mess, QUICK

They really LIKE it!

More May Antics and Adventures...

 

A Small Yard in Town

Swarm Catchin

Checker boarding new undrawn with drawn 
for adding supers

Busy May as Well!

 Things have been hoping here!  I have several yards, two trailers and some new locations to work with.  

The good news is the Bees are building now, feeding some amazing blooms and pollen now.

This yard is along the Palouse River - just South West of Spokane.  Amazing bloom! 

New Trailer with 34 colonies on board

Speaking of bloom - check this out!

Apple Blossom

 

One of the yards looking down the Colville Valley

Goofy Selfie

A big drop of syrup has some 'customers'

Another Great Yard Up North

Crazy Busy April 2021!

 OK... this month has been a whirl wind!  Two trips to California for my bees and to haul packages! 

The trip begins with the long drive south and across the Inland Northwest.  It is quite an Odyssey with many interesting re-fueling stops along the way.  My first stop on the way done is at Biggs Junction on Highway 97 going through the middle of Oregon.  I start early, so this image is facing west with the beautiful sunrise shinning on the Gorge Walls along the Columbia.  I will pass by the John Day Dam - a true marvel of American Ingenuity and Engineering.  It would be great to do 'big things' again in this country like this!

... more later on.

 

Some thoughts on my survivor stock

I keep pretty good records, or at least I try to every year! 

I'm seeing a pattern that you may be experiencing too.  The hives that spent some time with the sunflower bloom, in late summer, seem to over winter better and have no noticeable nosema infection.  This is  a type of bee diarrhea that is lethal for bees trying to rebound after winter. 

Check out Ian Stepler - as he talks about Sunflower and the beneficial effects to 'bee gut health'.  This guy is fantastic!  Great advice and some great ideas and experience.

You might want to consider planting some sunflowers in your garden next year for sure!

Sunflowers and Bee Gut Health

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uQKuX2T1X4