 A capped supersedure cell in a queen right colony believed to be superseding their current queen. Photo by Eric Malcolm, June 4, 2026. | Time in the Yard: 4 hours 51 minutes Avg Time per Colony: 7.5 minutes Total Colonies: 66 Temperature (°F): Hi: 89° Low: 47° Avg: 66.35° Total Precipitation: 0.0” |
Actions:
We checked our package colonies for queen status and for swarm, supersedure, and emergency queen cells (n=35)
Combined a weak and queenless colony (n=1) with a stronger colony. Removed swarm cells (n=1).
Observations:
Three of the thirty-six colonies made from packages were found to have gone queenless, despite repeated attempts at requeening. One colony was superseding their queen. Nectar is starting to come in more noticeably and colony populations are growing. We will need to install supers on a few of our package colonies and combine one other queenless colony next week.
Reflections:
We started our field day early to try to miss the hottest part of the day. Temperatures are beginning to climb above 85°F consistently and we have to be mindful of potential heat related illness. Staying hydrated, taking frequent A/C or shade breaks during the day are good ways to keep ourselves from overheating.
Things in bloom: Amur Honeysuckle, Russian Sage, Dutch Clover, Red Clover, Catalpa, Southern Arrowwood , Elderberry, Butterfly Weed, Sweet Yellow Clover, Japanese Lilac Tree, Golden Raintree, Chicory, Basswood, Rhododendron, Mountain Laurel, Catalpa, Multi-flora Rose, Ground Ivy, Common Cinquefoil, White Dogwood, Border Privet, Yucca (Adam's Needle), Oakleaf Hydrangea, Common Yarrow, Sweet William, Foxglove Beardtongue, Magnolia
We checked our package colonies for queen status and for swarm, supersedure, and emergency queen cells (n=35)
Combined a weak and queenless colony (n=1) with a stronger colony. Removed swarm cells (n=1).
- Applied Formic Pro (n=2), 2 strips each, to a small yard where one colony tested above 3 mites per 100 bees.
Observations:
Three of the thirty-six colonies made from packages were found to have gone queenless, despite repeated attempts at requeening. One colony was superseding their queen. Nectar is starting to come in more noticeably and colony populations are growing. We will need to install supers on a few of our package colonies and combine one other queenless colony next week.
Reflections:
We started our field day early to try to miss the hottest part of the day. Temperatures are beginning to climb above 85°F consistently and we have to be mindful of potential heat related illness. Staying hydrated, taking frequent A/C or shade breaks during the day are good ways to keep ourselves from overheating.
Things in bloom: Amur Honeysuckle, Russian Sage, Dutch Clover, Red Clover, Catalpa, Southern Arrowwood , Elderberry, Butterfly Weed, Sweet Yellow Clover, Japanese Lilac Tree, Golden Raintree, Chicory, Basswood, Rhododendron, Mountain Laurel, Catalpa, Multi-flora Rose, Ground Ivy, Common Cinquefoil, White Dogwood, Border Privet, Yucca (Adam's Needle), Oakleaf Hydrangea, Common Yarrow, Sweet William, Foxglove Beardtongue, Magnolia