 A nurse bee cares for a developing queen larva in a supersedure cell. Photo by Eric Malcolm, July 15, 2026. | Time in the Yard: 6 hours 13 minutes Avg Time per Colony: 8 minutes Time in the Barn: 3 hours Total Colonies: 65 Temperature (°F): Hi: 96° Low: 62° Avg: 79.1° Total Precipitation: 0.0” |
Actions:
Fed spring package colonies 1.5 gallon of 1:1 syrup (n=34). Removed empty supers from colonies. Performed full inspections on select overwintered colonies and took samples for mites (n=14). Added 2 frames of bees, capped brood, and eggs to a queenless colony (n=1).
Observations:
Of the fourteen colonies inspected, the average temperament was 3 out of 5, with four colonies between 1.5 and 2 out of 5 which is very defensive. Two colonies had recent queen events: 1 virgin queen from supersedure, 1 queenless. Colonies outside of foraging radius of fed spring package colonies, had nectar in cells not yet dense enough to stay in place when shaken ("shake out") in sampled brood frames, suggesting there is a source of nectar. Some of the honey we’re seeing in capped cells is very dark and tastes good (not spotted lanternfly), may be tulip poplar.
Reflections:
We have been hesitant to continue pushing our treatment schedule back, but this was another week of intense heat and decided to push it back ONE MORE WEEK.
Things in bloom:
Mullein, Mimosa tree, Crepe Myrtle, Queen Anne’s Lace, Dutch Clover, Yellow Sweet Clover, Hare’s Foot Clover, Chicory, Common Cinquefoil, Purple Crown Vetch, Daisy Fleabane, Narrowleaf Mountain Mint, Clustered Mountain Mint, Virginia Mountain Mint, St. John’s Wort, Blue Vervain, Early Goldenrod, Black-eyed Susan, Glossy Abelia, Purple Loosestrife, Wild Potato Vine, New England Aster, Ironweed
Fed spring package colonies 1.5 gallon of 1:1 syrup (n=34). Removed empty supers from colonies. Performed full inspections on select overwintered colonies and took samples for mites (n=14). Added 2 frames of bees, capped brood, and eggs to a queenless colony (n=1).
Observations:
Of the fourteen colonies inspected, the average temperament was 3 out of 5, with four colonies between 1.5 and 2 out of 5 which is very defensive. Two colonies had recent queen events: 1 virgin queen from supersedure, 1 queenless. Colonies outside of foraging radius of fed spring package colonies, had nectar in cells not yet dense enough to stay in place when shaken ("shake out") in sampled brood frames, suggesting there is a source of nectar. Some of the honey we’re seeing in capped cells is very dark and tastes good (not spotted lanternfly), may be tulip poplar.
Reflections:
We have been hesitant to continue pushing our treatment schedule back, but this was another week of intense heat and decided to push it back ONE MORE WEEK.
Things in bloom:
Mullein, Mimosa tree, Crepe Myrtle, Queen Anne’s Lace, Dutch Clover, Yellow Sweet Clover, Hare’s Foot Clover, Chicory, Common Cinquefoil, Purple Crown Vetch, Daisy Fleabane, Narrowleaf Mountain Mint, Clustered Mountain Mint, Virginia Mountain Mint, St. John’s Wort, Blue Vervain, Early Goldenrod, Black-eyed Susan, Glossy Abelia, Purple Loosestrife, Wild Potato Vine, New England Aster, Ironweed