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hi all,

not really a swarming situation, but I had some older beekeeping equipment in the garage (boxes & frames, mostly empty, but a few with honey on them), left the garage open while I was mowing the lawn, and apparently a few dozen honeybees found the frames (they were stored in bags). for now, I pulled everything out of the garage and removed all the empty frames from the boxes. is it okay to let the bees clean everything up, or should I toss everything? I verified with my father-in-law that he had had no issue with disease (other than varroa mites).

I had planned to start hives this year, but had some uncertainty with a work situtation, so putting it off until next year is the plan.

any advice appreciated!

-mike

David Shultz HCBA continuing education class met at my house this week and we created 2 medium 5 frame nucs that I would like to sell @ 130 each. They tested 0 mite count. Queens are strong, overwintered, and 1 yr old.

Call or text 443-604-0240.

Caught a Swarm with comercail trap. Its up in a tree. Lots of activity for three day. So leave them up there for a couple days so the settle in? Then move them two miles away and then back to my hives? My hives are only about 300 feet away Anything else Thanks Bob

Until May 17th, Costco has NSF (food grade) 5 gallon Buckets 3 for $4.99. This is the cheapest I've ever seen food-grade buckets! No lids... Lowes has food grade lids for $2.98, 12 pack food safe lids on amazon, currently 14.97. Lids also available elsewhere, just make sure that they're food safe!

Hey, does anyone have current contact info for Jim Frazier OTHER than an email address? I am receiving questionable emails from his account and want to verify that they came from him rather than a hacker.

Black Locust blooming here in Elkridge! If I was a good beekeeper, I'd have notes from last year to know if this is early or not! 😜

Good morning, friends,

My ladies are ready to swarm! I inspected my 3 colonies yesterday and 1 is within 48 hours of renting an airbnb before buying a new condo and the other has swarm cells just getting ready to be capped.

The problem is I have not seen my queens in the year I've been learning how to do this. I know when they are there, but I just never see them. I was slow and intentional yesterday trying to find her as I went thru to do the split, but no dice.

Anyone willing to get in there with me and find these two ladies before they leave? Would be looking for help anytime tomorrow 4-12 (Sunday) or Monday after 12. I'm in Ellicott City in the Dunloggin neighborhood.

Thanks in advance!

Feel free to call or text,

I went out to my two hives today, and found at least 50 bees crawling around the ground. They are not able to fly, even when picked up off the ground. I split the colony earlier this week, and both colonies have healthy queens. My last mite check was april 1st, and it was 4.5% and i am currently treating with formic pro. I looked at several, and some had normal wings, and some did not. I did a hive inspection yesterday, and there were no bees on the ground. I am concerned it may be tracheal mites or deformed wing disease from mites. My previous mite check in march was 1%. How do i tell the difference between the two?

Does the old frames you put in a Swamp Trap need to be 100% honey free. To stop robbing? I'm setting one up (first time). Two frames I plan have some honey in the corner. Less than a hand print size all together on both frames. Dig it out? Wash it out? Leave it alone? Thanks,