On Tue, 25 Apr 1995, Allen Dick wrote:
 
> On Tue, 25 Apr 1995, Eric Abell wrote:
>
> > Almost every time I find a yard with these losses I find trach. mites
> > upon examination.  How about sampling the weak hives and letting us
> > know.
>
> I may well do that.
>
> > One difference, however, is that in most cases these are yards
> > that were poor producers the previous year and did build up well.
>
> > However.... my best yeards are all rather heavy
> > But... my best hives are almost always light.  Last weak I came upon
> > several simply bursting with bees and brood but only a couple of days
> > away from starvation.  I suspect that this cold damp weather we are
> > having this week may see a number of colonies starve before I can get to
> > them.
>
> We're out unwrapping and feeding as fast as we can go.  See my other post
> today for more on that.
 
I am not in that great a hurry to unwrap as most of the hives appear to
have lots of feed and it is still cold some nites.  Last night went to -10
deg. C.  I am not planning on feeding at this time but here is an idea I
would like you and others to react to.
 
Since most colonies have ample honey the purpose of feeding would be for
stimulation.  In most every yard (to be honest - in EVERY yard) I have
dead colonies.  After unwrapping I stack these brood chambers with room
for the bees to get at them.  The bees have a place to forage, I don't
have to rush back with feed and I have less old honey to deal with.  I
always have enough for brood chambers for splits anyway.
 
I know - there will be some relpies about robbing and spreading disease
and I welcome these. (the comments, not the disease)  However:
   - the bees have already had access to these dead colonies
   - after unwrapping there is a lot of drifting anyway
   - I don't mind drifting and I consider the yard a single unit anyway -
         one colony infected = all colonies infected with whatever.
   - I have never experienced a 'robbing frenzy' as a result of this.
   - As to spreading diseases --- I don't have any diseases or
           parasites to spread! ( But I have a bridge to sell you) :)
 
Comments?
 
>
> There is much slower development here in Southern Alberta than last
> year.  Wea re at least two weeks behind in bloom and brood rearing.
>
It looks like the willows are yielding a little nectar right now - and of
course, gobs and gobs of pollen.
 
Eric Abell                           email: [log in to unmask]
Gibbons, AB, T0A 1N0
Canada
(403) 998 3143