Well, the worst has happened and we have no bees.
We wanted to take the opportunity of the mild weather to do a routine varroa treatment for the hives. We couldn't risk doing it at th eend of last season, because had brood, and the treatment kills brood.
It was warm yesterday, warm today, and warm forecast to the end of the week, so it seemed like now or never. Time to treat them, and then mild enough weather for them to recover from the hive being opened.
So, today, we suited up. First hive, no bees. Second hive, no bees. Very sad, but not entirely unexpected. At least we know, and we can bring the hives home, sort them out, and get ready to start with a fresh nucleus in the Spring.
We've learned so much, and we'll be better beekeepers next time round.
We wanted to take the opportunity of the mild weather to do a routine varroa treatment for the hives. We couldn't risk doing it at th eend of last season, because had brood, and the treatment kills brood.
It was warm yesterday, warm today, and warm forecast to the end of the week, so it seemed like now or never. Time to treat them, and then mild enough weather for them to recover from the hive being opened.
So, today, we suited up. First hive, no bees. Second hive, no bees. Very sad, but not entirely unexpected. At least we know, and we can bring the hives home, sort them out, and get ready to start with a fresh nucleus in the Spring.
We've learned so much, and we'll be better beekeepers next time round.
