 Bald brood and chewed down brood (CDB) are both hygienic traits that can indicate health issues within the colony. Photo by Eric Malcolm, August 21, 2026. | Time in the Yard: 4 hours 35 minutes Avg Time per Colony: 17 minutes Total Colonies: 65 Temperature (°F): Hi: tba° Low: tba° Avg: tba° Total Precipitation: tba” Note Climate data not yet available for these dates. |
Actions:
Performed colony health inspections and sampled for varroa (n=16). Pinched failing, drone laying (DL) queen with Deformed Wing Virus (DWV).
Observations:
We are seeing signs of high Varroa loads in colonies that were treated 4 weeks ago. Colony with the DL queen with DWV was already in the process of superseding her. Seeing a lot of bald brood in colonies. Some chewed down brood is being observed as well. A couple colonies have brought in nectar in abundance since the harvest and are becoming honey bound.
Reflections:
After reviewing lab results from this week’s visit mite loads have continued to rise. It does not appear the recent treatment had the desired effect, and mite loads were well above 2 mites per 100 bees. We are glad we’re monitoring regularly as this would have come as a big surprise in a few months. Monitoring before and after treatment is the only way to be certain if our treatments have the desired effect or not. We will be treating again next week.
Things in bloom:
Dutch Clover, Crepe Myrtle, Queen Anne’s Lace, Chicory, Clustered Mountain Mint, Early Goldenrod, Purple Loosestrife, Winged Sumac, Common Evening Primrose, Ironweed, Grey Goldenrod, Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus, Trumpet Vine, Flowering Spurge, Honeysuckle, St. John’s Wort, New England Aster, Calico Aster, St John’s Wort, Bird’s-Foot Trefoil
Performed colony health inspections and sampled for varroa (n=16). Pinched failing, drone laying (DL) queen with Deformed Wing Virus (DWV).
Observations:
We are seeing signs of high Varroa loads in colonies that were treated 4 weeks ago. Colony with the DL queen with DWV was already in the process of superseding her. Seeing a lot of bald brood in colonies. Some chewed down brood is being observed as well. A couple colonies have brought in nectar in abundance since the harvest and are becoming honey bound.
Reflections:
After reviewing lab results from this week’s visit mite loads have continued to rise. It does not appear the recent treatment had the desired effect, and mite loads were well above 2 mites per 100 bees. We are glad we’re monitoring regularly as this would have come as a big surprise in a few months. Monitoring before and after treatment is the only way to be certain if our treatments have the desired effect or not. We will be treating again next week.
Things in bloom:
Dutch Clover, Crepe Myrtle, Queen Anne’s Lace, Chicory, Clustered Mountain Mint, Early Goldenrod, Purple Loosestrife, Winged Sumac, Common Evening Primrose, Ironweed, Grey Goldenrod, Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus, Trumpet Vine, Flowering Spurge, Honeysuckle, St. John’s Wort, New England Aster, Calico Aster, St John’s Wort, Bird’s-Foot Trefoil
A honey bee from a colony with visible mite presence. Photo by Eric Malcolm, August 21, 2026.
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August swarm cells.
This colony had a drone laying Queen with deformed wings. They were in the process of superseding her and we observed swarm cells with several day old larvae. Unfortunately, we weren't able to capture a good picture of the queen. Photos by Eric Malcolm, August 21, 2026.
This colony had a drone laying Queen with deformed wings. They were in the process of superseding her and we observed swarm cells with several day old larvae. Unfortunately, we weren't able to capture a good picture of the queen. Photos by Eric Malcolm, August 21, 2026.
