 Wax from mouse damage can be seen around the bases of the hive boxes that were stacked after treatment pre-storage. Photo by Eric Malcolm, December 10, 2025. | Time in the Yard: 44 minutes Avg Time per Colony: 2.5 minutes Time in the Barn: 45 minutes Total Colonies: 27 Avg Temp: 31° Total Precipitation: 0.0” |
Actions:
Removed top feeders from colonies (19) and applied Gorilla Tape to holes in equipment (2) to reduce draft. Emptied remaining syrup from top feeders. In the barn; cleaned up wax from mouse damaged frames and stacked boxes to prevent further damage.
Observations:
Bees were clustered tightly, and most clusters were in the lower box. A few colonies appear to have not stored as much syrup and were already towards the top of their hive. Many colonies did not finish taking in the last round of 2:1 syrup. In the barn, noticed mice had damaged comb sometime within the last 2 weeks.
Reflections:
We wish we would have stored the equipment as soon as the B402 Certan dried to avoid the mouse damage.
We will need to feed several colonies fondant before the holidays.
Things in bloom: Japanese Camellia, Leatherleaf Mahonia
Removed top feeders from colonies (19) and applied Gorilla Tape to holes in equipment (2) to reduce draft. Emptied remaining syrup from top feeders. In the barn; cleaned up wax from mouse damaged frames and stacked boxes to prevent further damage.
Observations:
Bees were clustered tightly, and most clusters were in the lower box. A few colonies appear to have not stored as much syrup and were already towards the top of their hive. Many colonies did not finish taking in the last round of 2:1 syrup. In the barn, noticed mice had damaged comb sometime within the last 2 weeks.
Reflections:
We wish we would have stored the equipment as soon as the B402 Certan dried to avoid the mouse damage.
We will need to feed several colonies fondant before the holidays.
Things in bloom: Japanese Camellia, Leatherleaf Mahonia