Bee Chronicles

7 December, 2021

We are still in the beehive watching mode.

We have one last chance to treat for mites, now, until next spring. If you haven't done it, you should. If you have done it congratulations on your promptness.

It is too warm!

I will manage for a "brood break". By stopping feeding the queen will stop laying eggs. Give her a month or two off. The brood break will keep the varroa mites from reproducing. Every honey bee that dies from old age natural causes will reduce the number of mites in the hive because the mites on that dead bee have no where to go to reproduce and then they die.

The mite life cycle dictates that the sexually mature mite will leave a bee and go into a cell with a pupa in it. If there are no pupae there will be no reproduction of mites.

If you treat for mites during this period, you will kill off a lot of the varroa mites. When the queen starts laying there will be less mites to attack the pupae.

It is currently early December. Next February would be good time to stimulate the queen to start laying again. Wait until after the January cold spell the 3^rd week of January.

Typically, the first week of January and the first week of February are warm enough to inspect a hive thoroughly. I look for the queen and see if there is a small brood area working. Then, a cold snap hits, which last 3-10 days.

During this semi-dormant period, it is okay to open the Telescoping cover, remove the inner cover and look between the top bars to see that the bees are alive and clustering properly. Do not break the cluster. If the temperature is in the 60's with no wind you can remove a few frames and check the amount of stored honey.

Inspect wood work and repair as necessary for next spring.

Merry Christmas