Archive for February, 2013

One hive left

Monday, February 11th, 2013

I bought pollen patties to give to my bees to start them waking up for Spring. In past years this has worked. The pollen patties contain calories including protein and the bees respond by a population increase. I had three hives still alive about two weeks ago.

I went out a few days ago when the temperature was in the mid 40s (F), and found no activity at all, just dead bees. The cold snap where the temps went down into the low teens must have done them in. I put in a pollen patty in each hive just in case.

I went out today and in the first two hives there were no bees. In the third hive, there were bees tearing up the pollen patty. I’ll go out again with another one in a day or so.

It is disappointing to lose 9 out of ten hives, but it is heartening to see one lone hive hanging on. I have something to root for.