manda
wrote:
↑
30 Oct 2023, 21:09
How are your hives going Trev?
We have collected a fair amount of honey again this year but have doubts the hives will survive our winter.
There was an onslaught of wasps attacking all the hives, resulting in a drastic reduction in bee numbers. A large wasp nest was found on the electricity pylon in the farmers field situated about 6 metres from our hives. The Electric board doused the whole area with insecticide and the drift came our way, dead bees everywhere.
Normally they would inform us if they were spraying and we would close the hives up for the day but.............
Last check we had virtually no bees, definitely no queens or brood and it is too late to repopulate or re queen them now. So will be removing the last of the honey this week, merge all the hives and see if any make it through the winter. Outside chance if the last brood to hatch were winter bees but not counting on it.