 A single shiny bee with deformed wings. Photo by Eric Malcolm, March 20, 2026. | Time in the Yard: 2 hours Avg Time per Colony: 11 minutes Total Colonies: 23 Temperature (°F): Hi: 71° Low: 23° Avg: 45.5° Total Precipitation: 0.63” |
Actions:
Fed colonies 1 gallon of 1:1 and between 0.5 and 1lb of pollen substitute (10+ FOBs received 1lb).
Bees were very active outside the hive entrances and were bringing in lots of light-yellow pollen. Blooms of both female and male Red Maple trees are present at one of our yards, and these trees are abundant in our area. A single shiny bee with deformed wings was observed in one colony; this is noteworthy because it is unusual to see this sign of viral pressure at this time of year, but since it is only one bee, we are not worried.
Reflections:
More flowers are blooming, average temperatures are increasing, and we are realizing that the time to split is creeping up. We are looking forward to starting mite testing and are considering applying a formic treatment if the weather cooperates and monitoring indicates a need (more than 2 mites per 100 bees).
Things in bloom: Silver Maple, Red Maple, Common Chickweed, Purple Deadnettle, Wild Daffodil, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Hairy Bittercress, Apricot, Saucer Magnolia
Fed colonies 1 gallon of 1:1 and between 0.5 and 1lb of pollen substitute (10+ FOBs received 1lb).
- Fed 1gal of 1:1 (n=5) and .5 to 1lb of pollen sub (n=12).
- Applied prophylactic Oxalic Acid Vaporization treatment 4g per brood box (n=9).
Bees were very active outside the hive entrances and were bringing in lots of light-yellow pollen. Blooms of both female and male Red Maple trees are present at one of our yards, and these trees are abundant in our area. A single shiny bee with deformed wings was observed in one colony; this is noteworthy because it is unusual to see this sign of viral pressure at this time of year, but since it is only one bee, we are not worried.
Reflections:
More flowers are blooming, average temperatures are increasing, and we are realizing that the time to split is creeping up. We are looking forward to starting mite testing and are considering applying a formic treatment if the weather cooperates and monitoring indicates a need (more than 2 mites per 100 bees).
Things in bloom: Silver Maple, Red Maple, Common Chickweed, Purple Deadnettle, Wild Daffodil, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Hairy Bittercress, Apricot, Saucer Magnolia
The blooms of Red Maple trees, female (left) and male (right). Photo by Eric Malcolm, March 11, 2026