Winter Update 2008

For the past several weeks I have been worried sick about my bees. But today, after checking them, I feel much, much better!

Over Christmas while I was away in Oregon there was a severe cold snap with temperatures dropping to the single digits at night. I knew from my reading that unless it was 10 degrees or below for several days in a row, the bees would most likely be alright as they can maintain a temperature of about 95 degrees inside the hive. And during the winter most bees die of starvation, not freezing.

Ryan’s dad, Jim, stopped by and — worrying about the bees — covered them with thermal blankets to block the wind. I’m sure it helped in the long run, but when we got home in early January there were about 200 dead bees outside the hive. I was very alarmed and upset and it took me a few days to realize that this was: 1.) just part of the business of maintaining a hive through winter, and 2.) a relatively small loss considering there are about 40,000 bees in my hive.

Up until today it has been far too cold to check the inside of the hive. As recommended, I made four packets of fondant (a.k.a. bee candy) to put in when I checked them. The recipe I used was a simple one — 6 cups of organic powdered sugar, 2 tbsp. of light corn syrup, and 1/2 a cup of water. I cooked this mixture in a sauce pan (stirring constantly) for about 10 minutes (until it reached about 95 degrees) and then poured it onto wax paper/cookie sheet to dry. Then I broke it into quarters and placed the quarters in plastic bags and froze them until I was ready to work with the hive.

It was about 50 degrees this afternoon and I noticed the bees were flying so I decided to check them. They were very calm and eager for the food. When I opened the hive I noticed that the grease patties we put in back in November were still there, albeit dried out a bit and frozen. The bees were eating them, however, which was a good sign. I pulled out several empty frames from the top box to make room for the fondant packs. The bees looked healthy and full of vigor and I could see (without taking any of the laden frames out of the box) that there was still lots of capped honey.

I sliced the fondant bags open on top (a big X) and put in three packs. The bees immediately became interested. I also removed the sticky pad that’s been in there since Thanksgiving. There was TONS of pollen and many mites, however considering it’s been in there since late November it didn’t seem too alarming.

When I closed up the hive the girls really started flying. It was good to see them out and about and enjoying the warm sunshine. I will make more fondant and check them in a couple of weeks.

Here are some pics!

“Bee Candy” (Fondant) ready to be placed in the hive.

Bee coming in with lots of pollen. It’s amazing that they find blooms somewhere!

Grease patties (bottom) and fondant (top). See the bees munching away on the grease patties. The fondant will be easier for them to eat because it’s made of powdered sugar while the grease patties are made of granulated sugar.

Sticky pad with dead bees and lots of pollen.

The tiny little brown dots are mites.