 Feeding light colonies 1.5:1 sugar syrup. Photo by Eric Malcolm, October 8, 2025. | Time in the Yard: 3 hours 21 minutes Avg Time per Colony: 16.75 minutes Time in the Barn: 30 minutes Total Colonies: 30 Avg Temp: 63.6° Total Precipitation: 0.17” Note: Most of time was spent finding the new queens while requeening the 2 colonies (~1hr each). Feeding colonies took ~8min each. |
Actions:
Requeened 2 colonies and fed each 1 gallon of 1:1 syrup. Mixed 20 gallons of 1.5:1 syrup at the barn. Fed 2.5 gallons to 7 light colonies using top feeders. Added entrance reducers to 25 colonies. Put 2-3 Swiffer strips on colonies that had SHB adults.
Observations:
Colonies were very patient while I found and removed the VQ and very newly mated Queen during the requeening process.
Reflections:
It was a beautiful week for being out in the apiary! The weather was partly sunny and cool.
Things in bloom:
Chicory, New England Aster, Groundsel Tree, Panicled Aster, Blue-stemmed Goldenrod, White Wood Aster, Aromatic Aster, Black-eyed Susan
Requeened 2 colonies and fed each 1 gallon of 1:1 syrup. Mixed 20 gallons of 1.5:1 syrup at the barn. Fed 2.5 gallons to 7 light colonies using top feeders. Added entrance reducers to 25 colonies. Put 2-3 Swiffer strips on colonies that had SHB adults.
Observations:
Colonies were very patient while I found and removed the VQ and very newly mated Queen during the requeening process.
Reflections:
It was a beautiful week for being out in the apiary! The weather was partly sunny and cool.
Things in bloom:
Chicory, New England Aster, Groundsel Tree, Panicled Aster, Blue-stemmed Goldenrod, White Wood Aster, Aromatic Aster, Black-eyed Susan