 Feeding the bees 2:1 syrup using a top feeder. Photo by Eric Malcolm, October 27, 2025. | Time in the Yard: 3 hours 12 minutes Avg Time per Colony: 8.35 minutes Time in the Barn: 6 hours 15 minutes Total Colonies: 27 Avg Temp: 51.4° Total Precipitation: 1.08” Note: Bees fed 2 days earlier in the week were nearly halfway through their 2:1 on the 3rd day! Feed your bees if they’re not HEAVY. |
Actions:
Cleaned up dead out equipment that was stored in the barn, culled frames with wax moth damage and culled broken hive bodies.
Observations:
Bees were not very active outside of the hive during the cooler days but had many bees inside. Without use of smoke, bees were quick to (briefly) show signs of alarm. 2 colonies were still heavy with food stores. One colony absconded.
Reflections:
Wax moths have been very active on the equipment stored indoors. Next season, we will plan to freeze, then treat frames with B402 Certan as soon as they come out of the yard, if they can not be used on other hives immediately.
Things in bloom:
Chicory, New England Aster, Panicled Aster, Aromatic Aster, Black-eyed Susan, Gray Goldenrod, Common Chrysanthemum, Tatarian Aster, Elegant Zinnia
Cleaned up dead out equipment that was stored in the barn, culled frames with wax moth damage and culled broken hive bodies.
- Treated stored brood frames with B402 Certan and set out to dry, in preparation for winter storage.
Observations:
Bees were not very active outside of the hive during the cooler days but had many bees inside. Without use of smoke, bees were quick to (briefly) show signs of alarm. 2 colonies were still heavy with food stores. One colony absconded.
Reflections:
Wax moths have been very active on the equipment stored indoors. Next season, we will plan to freeze, then treat frames with B402 Certan as soon as they come out of the yard, if they can not be used on other hives immediately.
Things in bloom:
Chicory, New England Aster, Panicled Aster, Aromatic Aster, Black-eyed Susan, Gray Goldenrod, Common Chrysanthemum, Tatarian Aster, Elegant Zinnia
Bonus picture: Honey bees releasing alarm pheromone upon the removal of a telescoping lid. They calmed down immediately after. Photo by Eric Malcolm, October 27, 2025.