There is not a straight forward answer to your question because I would need a bit more information about your colony and the process you used to find the one might. What method of detection did you use (alcohol wash or washer fluid wash, isual inspection of bees, sugar roll, CO2, etc.)? What population of bees did you use (1/2 cup = 300 bees)? Although there are varying recommendation, the Bee Informed Partnership cites keepoingmite levels below the following 1 mite/100 bees in spring and 3 mites/100 bees in the fall. (See https://beeinformed.org/2018/09/26/the-signs-of-mite-damage-how-to-identify-progressed-varroosis/#:~:text=Because%20of%20this%2C%20I%20recommend,beekeepers%20risk%20high%20colony%20losses.&text=Beekeepers%20must%20consistently%20monitor%20mites,have%20strong%20and%20healthy%20colonies.) for the source.) You may also want to consider treating all hives in an apiary if even one falls outside the limits. This is mainly due to the fact that Honey Bees can drift from one hive to another bringing with them mites and other diseases.

Thanks Marian. This is a nice collection of inspection report from simple to more complex.

Phil, I made my first batches of Mead (Wildflower and Orange Blossom) on January 21, 2024. I noticed the fermentation bubbles have signifcantly decreased in the last couple of days, each carboy has about an inch of "sediment" on the bottom and it is still murcky. I was planning to leave it ferment for 4-5 weeks. How do you know when it is ready? When do I siphon it to a secondary fermentation bottle to allow it to clear up? Any advice is appreciated.

FALSE ALARM - After purchasing a few of the Costco boxes, I unfortunately realized the box dimensions are not long enough to fit a frame length wise. Still nice boxes to store, wax, comb and anything else that you want to minimize pest exposure.

Great video Phil. Keep us updated.

Arnie, I have wondered about the same question. A number of resources state >3-5% using the traditional powder sugar/alcohol roll test, but with drones it is a whole different situation. According to a reference that references Randy Oliver, Varroa are three times more successful to reproduce in drone brood compared to worker brood. Why? This is due to the fat bodies of the drones as well as the longer post capping period of drone brood. in fact, the following article states that female varroa mites prefer drone brood 10 to 1 over worker brood. How did they determine this? Was a survey? A "Pepsi vs. Coke" taste test? They state "at 5% drone brood, as many mites are emerging from 50-60 drone cells as from 1000 worker cells. So if you test/cull 20 drone pupae and you find multiple mites, then treatment should be in your future. The following webpage has more information, as well as a good video of a varroa mite load check. https://www.afuturewithbees.com/resources/protect-your-bees/85-varroa-mite-load-check-using-drone-brood

Jeff, Although I do not have a lot is splits under my belt, I have always found the most assured approach to splitting is to take the existing queen along with brood, food, comb, and bees (workers tend to hang on the brood frame) to another location at least 3 miles away. the Existing hive left behind can be left to raise a new queen (make sure there are eggs on the frame) or to introduce a new queen. if you have to keep it on the same premises, then take the hive as far away as possible and even look for placement that would place a large barrier (house, shed, etc.) between the hives. Don't forget to add a pine bow to the front of the new hive. hope this helps. Bill

Thanks for the quick feedback. Based on your advice, I will hold off in doing additional inspections for a couple more weeks since it is likely she emerged around July 8. Based on my observations and timing of the capped queen cells (QC), I thought it was likely a queen emerged and may have taken her mating flight. When she slipped out of the cage, I was surprised and was looking for a potential root cause. She seemed to be of comparable size (length) to other queens. Once again, thanks.

@Kent Phillips The door knocker is great! Any idea where it was sourced?

First year of bee gifts, I received two more hive boxes, The Beekeeper’s Bible, a Bee Happy doormat and wooden honey spoon and spreader.

Awesome news Tina. Thanks for your response.

Thank you.

I just received my registration two weeks ago and the registration number was blank as well.

Craig, I began using BeePlus, but I think it is only available for Apple IOS. I adding some additional comments to a more recent discussion thread.

I am a new beekeeping and asked the question earlier in the season without much advisement, so I dove in and began using BeePlus (I believe this is only available for Apple IOS). I find it a helpful guide as to what I should be observing, allows me to make inspection notes, attach photos and document my hive histories. I can even transcribe my vocal comments into the applications notes areas. One thing is for sure, I always have my phone!

Dan, Thank you for your response and willingness to meet. Yesterday was pretty busy and I unfortunately did not read your message until it was too late. I would like to setup a time on April 17. Would you be available in the morning? Thanks again. Bill

Dan, I am interested in your large bee suit and top bar feeder. Just getting started so interested in anything that could help. Bill Glover 410-952-2981