 A rapidly growing colony filling the space between a shim from winter feeding and the inner cover. Photo by Eric Malcolm, April 3, 2026. | Time in the Yard: 9 hours 30 minutes Avg Time per Colony: 11 minutes Total Colonies: 53 Temperature (°F): Hi: 87° Low: 26° Avg: 57.7° Total Precipitation: 0.06” |
Actions:
Installed packages (n=30) in preparation for a project. Weeded and removed dead wood and grasses from two yards. Checked colonies for signs of swarming (n= 18). Split 3 colonies that had swarm cells with eggs or larvae present. Performed mite washes on overwintered colonies (n=3) that exhibited defensive temperaments or spotty brood patterns.
Observations:
Four packages absconded after installation. The commonality between them was the queen cage was installed directly below the feeder can and queens and cages were soaked. We saw many swarm cups (no eggs), some were primed with a small drop of honey. Two out of three mite washes had .33 or fewer mites per 100 bees. Our action threshold is 2 mites per 100 bees (2%) or higher. There were lots of nectar, pollen, and brood of all stages in the colonies. Many should be prepared to split by next week.
Reflections:
It is important to respect our bodies and limitations when they tell us it’s time to take a break… and I’m sure we will as soon as the beekeeping season is over. Monitoring colony growth and checking and managing mite loads early are all good steps to ensure a great start to your beekeeping season.
Things in bloom: Red Maple, Purple Deadnettle, Wild Daffodil, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Hairy Bittercress, Saucer Magnolia, Oriental Paperbush, Forsythia, Bradford Pear, Common Stork’s bill, European Field Pansy, Dandelion, Lesser Celandine, Garlic Penny-cress, Star Magnolia, Saucer Magnolia, Okame Cherry, Yoshino Cherry, Grape Hyacinth, Japanese Andromeda
Installed packages (n=30) in preparation for a project. Weeded and removed dead wood and grasses from two yards. Checked colonies for signs of swarming (n= 18). Split 3 colonies that had swarm cells with eggs or larvae present. Performed mite washes on overwintered colonies (n=3) that exhibited defensive temperaments or spotty brood patterns.
- Fed all remaining packages (n=26) 1 gallon of 1:1 syrup
- Applied Formic Acid (n=1) when alcohol wash results revealed 2.33% mite load (2.33 mites per 100 bees)
Observations:
Four packages absconded after installation. The commonality between them was the queen cage was installed directly below the feeder can and queens and cages were soaked. We saw many swarm cups (no eggs), some were primed with a small drop of honey. Two out of three mite washes had .33 or fewer mites per 100 bees. Our action threshold is 2 mites per 100 bees (2%) or higher. There were lots of nectar, pollen, and brood of all stages in the colonies. Many should be prepared to split by next week.
Reflections:
It is important to respect our bodies and limitations when they tell us it’s time to take a break… and I’m sure we will as soon as the beekeeping season is over. Monitoring colony growth and checking and managing mite loads early are all good steps to ensure a great start to your beekeeping season.
Things in bloom: Red Maple, Purple Deadnettle, Wild Daffodil, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Hairy Bittercress, Saucer Magnolia, Oriental Paperbush, Forsythia, Bradford Pear, Common Stork’s bill, European Field Pansy, Dandelion, Lesser Celandine, Garlic Penny-cress, Star Magnolia, Saucer Magnolia, Okame Cherry, Yoshino Cherry, Grape Hyacinth, Japanese Andromeda