[Anke]

Did my oxalic acid varroa treatment today (I know it is a bit late, I normally do it before Xmas, but it was just too cold then), and the good news is that all three of my hives are alive. Good sized cluster between the two broodboxes. added some Apifonda. hopefully they will be ok, but will check to see if they take the sugar stuff by mid february.

[Greenerlife]

Same here!  did my treatment a couple of weeks ago and I thought I had lost one hive but they were snuggled up in a few frames at the bottom.  Dooesn't look to be that many of them and am worried for them, but fingers crossed!

[egglady]

same here!  Did my treatment yesterday for the same reason and had a good cluster.  They are taking the fondant too.  Bring on the Spring....

[cluckingnuts]

After losing 3 colonies the previous year to mice I'm happy to say the 4 remaining made it through so far.

[OhLaLa]

Have you got mouse guards to put on the entrances? They will nest if not.

 

[Rosemary]

Well done - we'll be picking your brains next year (I hope) 

[cluckingnuts]

Have you got mouse guards to put on the entrances? They will nest if not.

 

Yes, forgot the other year, that's why I lost them.

[Anke]

Lost my first hive that way too!

[Greenerlife]

Went to put a pollen feed on today and my hive is officialy dead.  I may cry.

[egglady]

so sorry to hear that greenerlife....am now dreading checking mine!

[Anke]

I have one that looks now quite suspicious too... did a varroa count last week and unfortunatley had to insert Apistan sheets into all three hives, as drop was just a wee bit above what I had hoped for... They must already have had some brood when I did the oxalic acid treatment.... I had hoped that I would get away this year without the knock-out chemicals, but it seems not to be the case...

And one hive was looking fairly empty, but the bees were flying that day too... hoping they all decided to go for a wee cleansing flight while the sun was shining... probably not though....

[egglady]

did oxalic treatment a couple of weeks ago (when there were bees around), checked this morning and nobody in the fondant pack, no flying and only saw one bee 

[Anke]

They might just be clustered up if it is quite cold. Only open up for a quick look when they are actively flying and the sun is out, as otherwise you could chill the brood and the queen might stop laying. You can only hope at this time of year....

[egglady]

hi Anke, thanks for the vote - that's what I'm hoping for...but......... time will tell of course...keeping ym fingers crossed as really really wanted to be able to have my own honey this year

[jaykay]

I checked mine a couple of weeks ago and they're also still alive. We lost them last winter, I think they froze the night it got to -18C  .

We're at 1000ft in Cumbria so I am wondering if we are beyond what's possible for bees?

Will be planting them a garden this year