We've had some unusually warm weather this week in east Central Illinois
(near Champaign-Urbana), and when I checked the hive at my house yesterday,
the bees were bringing in loads of light yellow and white pollen. Maple or
willow? This is the first time I've seen any pollen this winter, though there
have been many days of activity.
 
As a hobbyist, I'm very curious about this hive. Two years ago I lost 5 of 7
hives to tracheal or varroa mites. Then I lost the other two last winter.
This was a common experience throughout this area, as mites nearly wiped out
beekeepers and feral bees, according to other beekeepers in our club. There
were practically no bees in the yards and garden last summer.
 
I was so discouraged, after buying bees and Buckfast queens several times,
that I simply left the hives sit on their stands, intending to clean them up
later. Sometime around July, I went down there and a big swarm had taken over
one of the boxes, and was very active. They made a good crop. I left it all
on, and hoped that I had received a gift of "mite-resistant" bees. I figured
that if their original hive was strong enough to swarm, maybe there was
resistance. The other beekeepers that I know of who were near enough for
swarms to come from, losttheir bees and had no swarms that they knew of.
(Most beekeepers here will not keep swarms over the last few years.)
 
I did not treat these bees at all last Fall, and don't intend to. Not only
did they survive, but they are extemely strong right now. I know that there
are many variables at work, but I am happy about this and hope to get a
couple of splits from this hive. I do not plan to bring in any more bees or
queens. I will get queens or bees if needed from local beekeepers who have
not imported recently either. Is it crazy to think that genetic resistance is
the only real solution to the mite problems? Very curious to see what
happens.
 
BTW, the bees are mixed in appearance. Almost all are dark, and many are
altogether black.
 
Any of you pros and knowledgeable folks have any thoughts for me?
 
Thanks
 
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Michael J. Schmidt
771 E 300N Rd
Gibson City IL 60936-7167  USA
217-749-2331
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"KnowWhutIMean, Vern?"
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