 "The Barn" view from the front. Photo by Eric Malcolm | Time in the Barn: 6 hours 30 minutes Total Colonies: 29 Avg Temp: 55.4° Total Precipitation: 0.31” Note: If colonies feel light when lifted or hefted this time of year, you should feed 2:1 as soon as possible and have candy boards, sugar, or fondant on hand to feed throughout winter. |
Actions:
Cleaned up the barn and reorganized. Purchased 300lbs of sugar to prepare 2:1. Reviewed records regarding colony weight to prepare to feed. Reviewed lab diagnostics reports to prepare to treat colonies above threshold.
Observations:
Records show colonies are lighter than anticipated and while most colonies are below Varroa damage threshold, there are still 7 colonies with mite loads between 3 and 9.5 mites per 100 bees (3% - 9.5% mite load), which is above threshold.
Reflections:
Mite pressure has been high and constant in our yards this year. We have lost several colonies during the summer while undergoing a new treatment that did not have the effect we expected and are now working hard to get each colony’s mite loads back to a manageable number.
Things in bloom:
Chicory, New England Aster, Panicled Aster, Aromatic Aster, Black-eyed Susan, Gray Goldenrod, Hairy White Oldfield Aster, Common Chrysanthemum, Tatarian Aster, Elegant Zinnia, Yellow Cosmos
Cleaned up the barn and reorganized. Purchased 300lbs of sugar to prepare 2:1. Reviewed records regarding colony weight to prepare to feed. Reviewed lab diagnostics reports to prepare to treat colonies above threshold.
Observations:
Records show colonies are lighter than anticipated and while most colonies are below Varroa damage threshold, there are still 7 colonies with mite loads between 3 and 9.5 mites per 100 bees (3% - 9.5% mite load), which is above threshold.
Reflections:
Mite pressure has been high and constant in our yards this year. We have lost several colonies during the summer while undergoing a new treatment that did not have the effect we expected and are now working hard to get each colony’s mite loads back to a manageable number.
Things in bloom:
Chicory, New England Aster, Panicled Aster, Aromatic Aster, Black-eyed Susan, Gray Goldenrod, Hairy White Oldfield Aster, Common Chrysanthemum, Tatarian Aster, Elegant Zinnia, Yellow Cosmos