Tag: colonies

Episode-236- 7 Essential Supplies For Spring Beekeping

Tony Teolis March 29, 2014 0 Comments
2014 is my fourth beekeeping season. Right now the top bar hive seems like it will make it into spring no problem. However, getting them out of spring will be the challenge. It's been a long much too long winter and the bees will need to work hard in between the early rains to gather pollen, nectar, build and raise brood and support themselves. There will also be another colony of honey bees to...

Honey Bees Get Some Sun Before Snow

Tony Teolis January 21, 2014 0 Comments
January 20, 2014 outside the thrive hive top bar hive and there is a lot of activitiy. The temperature went up to 12 degrees Celcius (54 F) just ahead of another snow storm coming our way. This one looks like a keeper although the ice from last December lasted a week after the snow melted. The busy bees are a great sign as they are getting some fresh air before tis too late. Newbees are taking...

Episode-227- Part 2 Check The Top Bar Hive Before Winter

Tony Teolis December 31, 2013 0 Comments
Here is part 2 of the November 2nd pre-winter check of the top bar hive. In this video you will see more of the honey stores these bees have prepared for the long cold winter. A good clean up job of old unused comb and the addition of fondant will help these bees through the winter. At least that's the plan. We'll see how it goes. The update I provided on December 22 describes what I saw and did...

Episode-226- Check The Top Bar Hive Before Winter Part 1

Tony Teolis December 29, 2013 1 Comment
Today's video is from November 2nd 2013 when I went into the top bar hive to check on the bees' winter honey supply and to put in top bar of fondant and a sugar patty packed with essential oils and vitamins. The manner in which I planned to introduce the fondant was on a top bar and filling out pretty much the size of full comb of honey. You will see in the video how I prepare the fondant and...

Feed The Bees During This Warm Winter Break

Tony Teolis December 22, 2013 0 Comments
It was 70 degrees Fahrenheit in northern Virginia today the Saturday before Christmas 2013. It is supposed to be 70 and rainy all day tomorrow through Monday and the bees were out and active and I was too as a good check inside the hive revealed their shallow stores for the remaining winter. They had already plowed through the frame of fondant I put in the hive on November 2nd and they were...

Honey Bees Gathering At The Chamomile

Tony Teolis October 24, 2013 0 Comments
I was fortunate enough to catch these bees hard at work getting ready for a cold weather front to hit our area. All that's left this year is the top bar hive which I have affectionately referred to as the thrive hive. However, things have been challenging for it lately but the battle with Varroa Destructor and small hive beetles seems to have waned and the bees are frisky, protective and well...