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Apiary Record 15th September 2019

Eleven Members attended the last Meeting of 2019. Coming a day after the Honey Show there was plenty of cake!  21C and Sunny.  Varroa treatments administered 8/9 19 were removed stores assessed and feeders added & replenished.  Four members prepared their hives for removal from the Association Apiary to their own sites.

Hive 1 – Anne-Chantal ballard – WBC single brood, 3 BIAS, 1 stores.  1 stores in super.  Varroa treatment removed.  Feeder added with aim to build stores for winter to 15 Kg . Temper 10.

Hive 1B – Dean Gregory – National 14×12, 5 BIAS, 3 stores.  Feeder replenished.  Temper 8

Hive 1C – Dean Gregory – National Deep, 5 BIAS, 4 stores.  Temper 6

Hive 1E – Observation Hive – 5-frame nuc. being fed.  For use at Blackmoor.  not inspected.

Hive 2 – Rowan Roberts – National ‘Brood & Half’, deep 4 BIAS , 1/2 brood 5 BIAS.  Light on stores.  Temper 8.

Hive 3 – Peter Reader – National Deep, 7 BIAS, 3 stores.  2 supers.  Well stocked for winter.  Temper 9.

Hive 4 – Graham Rowden/Andy Horton – National Deep, 5 BIAS, 6 stores but 4 predominantly pollen.  1 super.  Temper 8.

Hive 5 – Grant Pearce – National Deep, Queen seen, 3 BIAS, 5 stores.  1 deep used as super with 3 predominantly pollen and 3 stores.  Super above cover board for cleaning-down being refilled.  Temper 8

Hive 96 – Chris Clark – National Double Brood, Queen seen, 6 & 4 BIAS, 4 stores.  1 super.  Temper 9.  Carniolan Queen introduced early June, easily seen, built up well over summer.  For brood-rearing in 2020.

Hive 98 – Chris Clark/Graham Rowden/Gareth Cornelius – National Double Brood, Queen seen, 3 & 5 BIAS, 5 stores.  1 super above crown board for clearing down.  Temper 9.  Carniolan Queen introduced early June, easily seen, built up well over summer.  For brood-rearing in 2020.

Green Hive (Gareth)  – Gareth Cornelius/Chris Clark/Graham Rowden – National 14X12, Queen seen, 5 BIAS, 2 stores. Feeder removed prior to removal home.  Temper 9.  Carniolan queen introduced late June.  Hive removed from Apiary 20/9/19

Horton Hive – Andy Horton – National Deep, Queen seen, 5 BIAS, 4 stores.  1 super.  Feeder removed prior to removal home.  Temper 8.

Horton Nuc – Andy Horton – National Deep, Queen seen, 2 BIAS, 3 stores.  Feeding continuing.  Hive due for removal home.  Temper8.

Paul & Rachel’s Hive – Paul Bridgman – National Deep, 7 BIAS, 3 stores.  Quick inspection.  Feeder replenished.  Temper 8/7.  Removed from Apiary 21/19 19

Jo Wade Hive – Alex Wade – National Deep, Queen seen, 3 BIAS, 4 stores,  5 in Super.  Temper 10.  Hive due for removal from Apiary.

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Apiary Record Sunday 1st September 2019

Sixteen Members attended on a Sunday when many of our ‘usual’ Apiary attendees were off spreading the bee-word at the Hampshire County Sports Day.  A sunny, breezy 20C, scattered clouds and occasional calms.

Hive 1 – Anne-C Ballard/ Paul Bridgman – WBC single brood, 4 BIAS, no stores, sufficient room.  4 frames stores in super.Needs feeding-up for winter (8 frames were removed for extraction 18/8.) Health check good. Varroa-board inserted.  Temper 10

Hive 1B – Dean Gregory – National 14X12, 4 BIAS, 1 stores, sufficient room.  Feeder added.  Temper 8

Hive 1C – Dean Gregory – National Deep, 6BIAS, no stores, sufficient room.  1 super.  Less chalk brood than previously.

Hive 1D – Graham Rowden/Chris Clark/Dean Gregory inspected 31st August – on 2 frames.  No brood, no queen.  Tipped out in front of 1E.

Hive 1E -Graham Rowden/Chris Clark/Dean Gregory inspected 31st August – observation hive made-up for weekend show.

Hive 2 – Rowan Roberts – National ‘Brood & a half’, 4 BIAS, queen seen & marked.  1 super.  (1 super removed 18/8) Dry super removed.  Temper 9.  Varroa-board inserted.

Hive 3 – Peter Reader – National Deep, queen seen, 6 BIAS, 2 stores, sufficient room. 2 supers.  Temper 9.  Varroa-board inserted.

Hive 4 – Paul Bridgman/Grant Pearce/Richard Williams – NationalDeep, 5 BIAS, 6 stores, sufficient room, 1 super.  (2 supers removed 18/8).  2 dry supers removed, 1 returned over eke to try to get bees to clear-down.  Suggestion from Brad Davies to place CD’s/DVD’s over feed-hole to limit access and encourage ‘out-of-nest’ impression. varroa board inspected, <1/day.  No varroa treatment needed.  Temper 10.

Hive 5 – Rowan Roberts/Grant Pearce – National Deep, ? BIAS, 3-4 stores.  1super 1/2 full, 1 deep 3/4 full.  (2 supers removed 18/8) 1 dry super removed. varroa board inspected, <1/day.  No varroa treatment needed.  Temper 9.

Hive 96 – National Double Brood, Carniolan Queen – not inspected

Hive 98 – National Double Brood, Carniolan Queen – not inspected

Horton Hive – Hortons -National Deep, Queen seen & marked, 5 BIAS, 5 stores, sufficient room.  1 super.  Temper 8 Varroa < 1 /day.  no varroa treatment needed.  Some chalk brood.

Horton Nuc – Hortons – National Deep, Queen seen, 2BIAS, 3 stores, sufficient room.  Apistan removed.  Feeder replenished.  Temper 8.

Green Hive – Gareth Cornelius/Chris Clark – National 14X12, Carniolan queen seen, 5 BIAS, 2 stores, sufficient space.  Still drawing.  increased feed strength to 1:1. Temper 9

Paul & Rachel’s Hive – R & P Bridgman/ Anne-C Ballard – National Deep, Queen seen, 7 BIAS, 3 stores, sufficient room.  Health check good but some chalk brood.  varroa-board in. Temper 10.  2 ltrs 1.5:1 syrup given

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Apiary Record 18th August 2019

Eighteen members attended the Apiary.  20C, overcast and breezy.

Hive 1 – Anne-C Ballard/ Liz Hawes – WBC single brood, the new queen was seen & marked (green).  4 frames BIAS, sufficient room & stores. 2 supers with 6-8 frames ready for extraction.  Temper 10

Hive 1B – David Parkinson – National 14X12, 5 BIAS, 2 stores, sufficient room.  High chalk brood.  Temper 8

Hive 1C – David Parkinson – National Deep, 5 BIAS, 2stores, sufficient room.  1 super.  Chalk brood.  Needs Thymol crystals.

Hive 1D – David Parkinson / Ali H/ rowan Roberts – National Deep. 2 sealed QC’s, 2.5 frames, some stores.  Liquid feeder on but untouched.

Hive 1E – David Parkinson – National Deep converted to Observation Hive.  1 BIAS, new Queen seen & marked.  jam-jar feeder on.  Temper 9.

Hive 2 – Rowan Roberts/ Ali Hollingbery – National Brood & Half converted to National Brood.  3 BIAS, sufficient space.  2 supers, clearer board under top super.  Temper 8

Hive 3 – Peter reader – National Brood, 7 BIAS, 1 stores, sufficient room.  2 supers.  Temper 9

Hive 4 – Richard Williams / Paul B- National Brood, Red Queen seen, supercedure cell hatched, 4-5 frames brood, mainly older larvae & capped, few eggs, sufficient room & stores.  3 supers.  2 on for cleaning down removed.  Temper 8

Hive 5 – Graham Rowden/Richard Williams/ Paul B – National Deep, quick glance at brood, many eggs.  2 supers .  2 supers above Canadian clearer for removal.  Temper 8.

Hive Q 96 – Chris Clark/ Graham Rowden/ Gareth C – National Double Brood, Lower 8 BIAS, upper 5 BIAS, 2 stores, sufficient space.  Queen seen.  1 super.  Temper 8.

Hive Q 98 – Graham Rowden/Gareth C/ Chris Clark – National Double Brood, Lower 7 BIAS, upper 3 BIAS, 5 stores, sufficient space.  Queen seen.  1 super mover over crown board to clear down.  Rapid feeder under crown board.  Temper 9.

Green (Gareth) Hive – Gareth Cornelius/ Chris Clark – National 14X12, 5 BIAS, 2 stores, sufficient room, queen seen. Feeder replenished.  Temper 9.

Paul & Rachel’s Hive – Rachel & Paul /Peter Reader – National deep, 7 BIAS, 3 stores, sufficient room.  Queen seen.  1 deep as super.  Feeder replenished.  High chalk brood.  Temper10.

Horton Hive – Andrew & Janette Horton – National Deep, 3 BIAS, 2 stores, sufficient space.  Queen seen.  Feeder replenished.  Temper 8.

Jo’s Hive – Jo Wade – National Deep, 7 BIAS, 1.5 stores, sufficient space.  Queen seen.  1 super with limited stores.  2.5kg sugar as 50% solution.  Temper 10.

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Apiary Record 11th August 2019

Seventeen members attended the Apiary on warm breezy, cloudy day. 20C

Hive 1 – examined 7/8/19 Anne-C Ballard – WBC brood, new queen laying, eggs & young brood. Closed up.

Hive 1B – Dean Gregory – National 14X12, 5 BIAS, 4 stores, sufficient room & stores.  Some removed sporulating chalk brood.  Temper 8

Hive 1C – Dean Gregory – National Brood.  Originally a swarm from Hive 1, new queen failed .  QC’s from 3 produced viable queen.  6 BIAS 3 stores, sufficient room & stores.  Abundant removed sporulating chalk brood.

Hive 1D – Dean Gregory/David Parkinson – National Brood.  Originally 2-frame nuc from Hive 1, Questionable queen viability. 3 frames, few eggs, 3 emergency QC’s, drone cells.  dummy boards & feeder added.

Hive 1E – Dean Gregory/ David Parkinson –  National Brood  Originally 3-frame nuc from Hive 1.  Queen seen & marked, BIAS.  Converted to National Nuc in Observation hive.  Feeder added

Hive 2 – Rowan Roberts/Ali H/ Jon F – National Brood & 1/2, 4 BIAS, sufficient space & stores.  2 supers, sorted to produce one full, one for filling. Temper 9

Hive 3 – Peter Reader – National Brood.  At last inspection  Queen marked & apparently killed BUT she recovered! (temporary damage to nervous system due to twisting in Queen-marking cage?).  Queen seen, 7 BIAS, sufficient room & stores.  Two supers, Temper 9.

Hive 4 – Philippa L/ Andy & Janette H – National Deep,  Brood not inspected (supercedure cell last inspection).  MAQS strip removed, > 100 drop.  2 empty supers removed, 3 supers consolidated to 2 full, 1 for filling.  Temper 8.

Hive 5 – Rowan Roberts/Ali H / Graham Rowden – National deep, Queen seen in deep below QE. 6/7 BIAS, sufficient room & stores.  No brood above QE.  3 supers consolidated for extraction next week.  Varroa <3/day.  temper 8

Hive Q96 – Chris Clark/ Gareth C – National Double Brood, Queen seen, B1 7 BIAS, B2 5 BIAS, 6 stores.  Sufficient room & stores.  1 super.  Temper 9

Hive Q98 – Chris Clark/ Gareth C/ Graham Rowden – National Double Brood, Queen seen, B1 7 BIAS, B2 3 BIAS, 5 stores, sufficient room 7 stores.  1 super for winter stores.  Temper 9

Horton Hive – Andy & Janette Horton – National Deep, 5 BIAS, 2 stores, sufficient room & stores, 1 super.  Many dead bees, wasp attack?.  feed next week.

Horton Nuc -Andy & Janette Horton – National Deep 2-frame Nuc, Queen & eggs seen, high sporulating chalk brood  so nuc changed to clear of spores. Frame food and feeder added.

Gareth Green Hive – National 14X12, Queen seen, 7 BIAS, 1 stores, sufficient room & stores.  temper 9.

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Apiary Record 4th August 2019

19 attended on a bright, sunny afternoon.  24C

Hive 1 – National WBC – Inspection deferred until 11 August for new queen to prove fertile.

Hive 1B – Dean Gregory – National 14X12, 6 BIAS, 4 stores, sufficient room.  Queen seen. 1 super.  Some Chalk brood.  Temper 9.

Hive 1C – Dean Gregory – National.  6 BIAS, 3 stores, sufficient room & stores.  High chalk brood on floor.

Hive 1D – National nuc on 2 frames created on 14 July from Hive 1.  Inspection deferred until 11 August.  Entrance reduced due to wasps.

Hive 1E – National nuc on 3 frames created  on 14 July from Hive 1.  Inspection deferred until 11 August.  Entrance reduced due to wasps.

Hive 2 – Rowan Roberts/AliH/ Alison Turner – National Brood & Half. New queen, Brood 3BIAS, 1/2 brood full of stores.  Sufficient room & stores. 2 supers 1/2 full.  Very calm. Temper 9.

Hive 2A – Rowan Roberts/Ali Hollyberry – National  Brood, fist-sized patch of brood. 1 QC. Sufficient room& stores.

Hive 3 – Peter Reader – National Brood, 7 BIAS, 2 stores.  Queen seen, marked & killed.  2 supers.   Temper 9   

Hive 4 – Brian Herbert/Andy Horton – National Brood.  1 supersedure QC, 8 brood, no uncapped, 2 stores, sufficient room & stores. Health inspection clean.  3 supers, storing & capping in 2 supers placed above crown board for clearing.  23/7 Varroa, MAQS added.  Temper 6.

Hive 5 –  Richard Williams/Garath C – National Brood, sufficient room & stores.  3 supers, stores consolidated, super removed.  Temper 8.

Hive Q96 – Chris Clark/Rowan R/ Gareth C – National Double Brood.  Top 6 BIAS, bottom 9 BIAS. 6 stores.   Queen seen.  Sufficient room & stores.  1 super.  3/7 Varroa  Temper 9.

Hive Q98 – Chris Clark/Gareth C – National Double Brood, Top 3 BIAS, bottom 8 BIAS. 7 stores.  Queen seen.  Sufficient room & stores.  2 supers. Temper 9.

Gareth Green Hive – Gareth Cornelius/Chris Clark – 1National 14X12, 6 BIAS, remaining 4 frames undrawn, old frames moved to sides, super removed. Feeder replenished.  Temper 9.

Horton Hive – Brian Herbert/Andy Horton – National Deep, brief inspection, all ok.

Horton Nuc – Andy Horton/Brian Herbert –  National nuc on 2 frames created 7 July.  Brief inspection, all ok.

Paul&Rachel Hive – Paul/Liz Hawes/Anne-C B – National Brood, Queen seen at last! (black, beautiful). 7 BIAS, 3 drawn space, 1stores.  Brood chamber as super, 2 stores 9 free  Temper 10.

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Apiary Record 28th July 2019

12 members attended on a bright, sunny day.  22C.

Hive 1 – National WBC – Inspection deferred until 11 August for new queen to prove fertile.

Hive 1B – Dean Gregory – National 14X12, 6 BIAS, 4 stores, sufficient room.  Queen seen. 1 super added.  No Chalk brood.  Temper 9.

Hive 1C – Dean Gregory – National.  6 BIAS, 2 stores, sufficient room & stores.  1 super added.

Hive 1D – National nuc on 2 frames created on 14 July from Hive 1.  Inspection deferred until 11 August.  Entrance reduced due to wasps.

Hive 1E – National nuc on 3 frames created  on 14 July from Hive 1.  Inspection deferred until 11 August.  Entrance reduced due to wasps.

Hive 2 – National Brood & Half.  Inspection deferred until 4 August.

Hive 2A – National  Brood.   Inspection deferred until 4 August.

Hive 3 – National Brood.  Inspection deferred until 4 August.

Hive 4 – Brian Herbert/Andy Horton – National Brood.  9 BIAS, 2 stores, sufficient room & stores.  3 supers, 100%, 75%, 25%  Storing & capping in 2 supers placed above crown board for clearing.  Added Varroa board.  Temper 7.

Hive 5 –  David Parkinson/Dean Gregory – National Double Brood, both 9 BIAS, sufficient room & stores.  3 stores moved from top deep to bottom deep & QE moved between broods with queen in bottom brood.  3 supers.  Additional super added.  Temper 7.

Hive Q96 – Chris Clark/Rowan R/ Gareth C – National Double Brood.  Top 6 BIAS, bottom 9 BIAS. 5 stores.   Queen seen.  Sufficient room & stores.  1 super.  Varroa board inserted.  Temper 9.

Hive Q98 – Chris Clark/Gareth C – National Double Brood, Top 3 BIAS, bottom 8 BIAS. 7 stores.  Queen seen.  Sufficient room & stores.  2 supers. Temper 9.

Gareth Green Hive – Gareth Cornelius/Chris Clark – 1National 14X12, 6 BIAS, remaining 4 frames undrawn, no stores.  1 super little drawn. Feeder.  Temper 9.  Post-inspection discussion suggested removing super to encourage work in brood chamber.

Horton Hive – Brian Herbert/Andy Horton – National Deep, queen hatched & laying.

Horton Nuc – Andy Horton/Brian Herbert –  National nuc on 2 frames created 7 July.  Queen seen, healthy brood.  Entrance reduced.

Paul&Rachel Hive – Paul/Rachel Bridgman/Anne-C B – National Brood, 7 BIAS, 3 stores reduced to 1, 3 new drawn space added.  QE added below brood chamber as super, 2 stores moved up from brood.  Temper 10.

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Apiary Record 21st July 2019

16 members attended on a warm, overcast afternoon.  20C.

Hive 1 – National WBC – Inspection deferred until 11 August for new queen to prove fertile.

Hive 1B – Dean Gregory – National 14X12, 5 BIAS, 4 stores, sufficient room.  Queen seen.  1 standard brood frame replaced by 14X12.  Chalk brood diminished.  Temper 8.

Hive 1C – Dean Gregory – National.  Originally a collected swarm seen emerging from Hive 1 and seen to be broodless & queenless  on 30 June when 2frames of brood + 2 open queen cells from Hive 3 were added.  I frame eggs.

Hive 1D – National nuc on 2 frames created on 14 July from Hive 1.  Inspection deferred until 11 August.  Entrance reduced due to wasps.

Hive 1E – National nuc on 3 frames created  on 14 July from Hive 1.  Inspection deferred until 11 August.  Entrance reduced due to wasps.

Hive 2 – National Brood & Half.  Inspection deferred until 4 August.

Hive 2A – National  Brood.   Inspection deferred until 4 August.

Hive 3 – National Brood.  Inspection deferred until 4 August.

Hive 4 – Brian Herbert/Andy Horton – National Brood.  8 BIAS, 2 stores, sufficient room & stores.  3 supers, 2 full, 1 empty.  2 wet supers placed above crown board for clearing.  Temper 7.

Hive 5 –  Richard Williams/ Grant Pearce – National Double Brood.  Queen seen below QE. Top 5 BIAS bottom not inspected.  All brood in super above QE capped.  Sufficient room & stores.  3 supers.  Temper 9.

Hive Q96 – Chris Clark/Ali H/ Gareth C – National Double Brood.  Top 3 BIAS, bottom 8 BIAS. 6 stores.   Queen seen.  Sufficient room & stores.  1 super.  Temper 9.

Hive Q98 – Chris Clark/Ali H/ Gareth C – National Double Brood, Top 1 BIAS, bottom 8 BIAS. 7 stores.  Queen seen.  Sufficient room & stores.  Second  super added. New brood slow to draw.  Temper 9.

Gareth, Green Hive – Gareth Cornelius/Chris Clark – 1National 14X12, 6 BIAS, remaining 4 frames undrawn, no stores.  1 super little drawn. Feeder.  Temper 9.

Horton Hive – National Deep – Inspection deferred until 28 July

Horton Nuc – Andy Horton/Brian Herbert –  National nuc on 2 frames created 7 July.  Suspect cells monitored.  Entrance reduced.

Paul&Rachel Hive – Rachel Bridgman – National Brood, 6 BIAS but limited eggs, 5 stores.  Super removed & stores placed in brood chamber.  High chalk brood.  Temper 10.

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Apiary Record 14th July 2019

Seventeen members attended the Apiary.  Initially cloudy, 20C.

Hive 1 – David Parkinson/Dean Gregory – WBC Double Brood reduced to single.  1QC left on 7/7, further 13 QC’s.  Decision to reduce to single brood & create 2 nucs (1D & 1E).  2 QC’s left with 6 brood & 4 stores. Temper 9.

Hive 1B – David Parkinson/Dean Gregory – National 14X12, 6 brood, 4 stores, space, feeder removed.  Chalk brood increased.

Hive 1C – David Parkinson/Dean Gregory – National Nuc, Queen emerged, additional QC donated to Mel Espin.

Hive 1D – David Parkinson/Dean Gregory –  National nuc created with 2 capped QC’s 1brood frame 1 stores.

Hive 1E – David Parkinson/Dean Gregory – National nuc created with 2 capped QC’s 1brood frame 2 stores.

Hive 2 – Not inspected, queen pupating.

Hive 3 – Peter Reader – Queen recently emerged, remaining QC destroyed. 8 brood, sufficient stores & room. 2 supers.Temper 8.  Not for inspection until 4th August.

Hive 4 – Phil/Brian Herbert/Andy & Janette – National Deep.  Brood not inspected, boxes split & base of frames checked for QC’s.  5 supers of which 2 placed above clearer board for removal Tuesday am. Temper 7.  38lbs honey extracted.

Hive 5 – Richard Williams/Simon App – National Double Brood, Dt 3brood, 5 stores, Db 7 brood. no eggs, sufficient stores & space.  3 supers all BIAS.  Rationalised to 1 super BIAS.  Queen replaced below QE.  Queen long & thin so may be passing through QE.  Temper 9.

Hive 96 – Chris Clark/Rowan Roberts/Ali – National Deep, 9 BIAS, an increase of 1 in 1 week so increased to Double brood, moving 1 frame brood up.  6 stores in super.  Queen seen.  Temper 9

Hive 98 – Chris Clark/ Rowan Roberts/ Ali – National Deep, 9 BIAS an increase of 1 in 1 week so increased to Double brood, moving 1 frame brood up.  ^ stores in super,   Sufficient room.

Green ‘Gareth’ Hive – Chris Clark – National 14×12, 5 BIAS, no stores, Queen seen, 1 super.  Feeder replenished.

Paul & Rachel Hive – Paul/Rachel/Peter Reader – National Deep , 5BIAS, sufficient new stores & pollen, 1 super.  Temper 10 .

Horton Hive – Phil/Brian Herbert/Andy & Janette – National Deep with queen on 1brood & 1 stores in nuc above.  Many emergency QC’s added to the 1 left on 7/7.  3 left, rest removed.  1 super.  Feeder removed.  Temper 7.  Check 4 Aug.

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Apiary Record 30 June 2019

Twenty one attended on a hot sunny afternoon.

Hive 1 – Liz Hawes, David Parkinson – WBC double brood, 16 BIAS, queen seen, 5 QC’s, 4 removed and donated, I damaged & left. 2 dummy boards replaced with undrawn frames.  Sufficient room & stores.  3 supers, further super added for space.  Temper 10 – no smoke.

Hive 1b – David Parkinson – 14X12, 6 brood, 1 stores, sufficient room.  Feeder replenished. no chalk or bald brood (varroa board removed 23/6).  Temper 8

Hive 1c – David Parkinson – National 5 frame nuc, Queenlees & broodless, 2 brood added from 3 + 2 QC’s.  Was the swarm issued from 1 on 7/4.

Hive 2 – Rowan Roberts- National brood & half, 11BIAS, 5 BIAS, 10 stores, sufficient stores.  4QC’s removed & donated. 2 frames brood donated to Hive 4.   2 supers.Temper 8

Hive 3 – Jo Wade – National deep, Queen seen, 7 QC’s removed. 8BIAS, 3 stores, 2 brood donated to Green Hive (10).  Sufficient room. 2 supers.  Temper 9 smoke used.

Hive 4 – Philippa, Steve, Janette – National brood, Queen seen, 1 QC removed, 7 BIAS, 4 stores, sufficient room. 4 supers, empty top super placed above QE. Bees active, Temper 7.

Hive 5 – Richard Williams, Grant, Simon – National double brood, 8BIAS, 2 stores, sufficient room.  2 supers. Bailey come change remains, few dead drones in bottom brood box.

‘Garath’ – Gareth & Chris Clark – 14X12, Carniolan queen seen, 3 BIAS, 1 stores, sufficient room, rapid feeder replenished, good temper & hive state.

Q96 – Chris Clark – National deep, Queen seen, 7BIAS, 2 stores, sufficient room.  1 super added.

Q98 – Gareth & Chris – National deep, Carniolan Queen seen, 7BIAS, 2 stores, sufficient room.  1 super added.

Horton Hive – Andy, Janette, Philippa – National deep, Queen seen, 5 BIAS, 4 stores, sufficient room. 1 super. Feeder removed syrup smeared onto super frames to encourage drawing.  Temper 8.

Paul & Rachel’s Hive – Paul & Rachel – National brood, not inspected, feeder added.

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Chalk Brood

Chalk Brood has persisted in both Hive 1 (WBC) and 1b (14 X 12), both hives originating from Hive 1  (14 X 12).  Incidence has reduced in Hive 1 since removal to WBC.

Chalk Brood is caused by the fungal organism Ascosphaera apis.

Three stages in appearance – Initially  white & fluffy;   Secondly swollen, filling the cells, the larval mouthparts may appear as a yellow protrusion; Finally, the stage most easily identified, they mummify, shrinking & hardening, changing colour to grey and black.  It is  at the final stage, when the fungus is sporulating and at its most contagious,  that the bees can easily remove the mummies from the cells and drop them on the floor of the hive

Chalk brood is a fungus and by nature likes damp conditions.  Keep the hives dry by raising them off the ground and  using  Open Mesh Floors.
It is known that high levels of carbon dioxide in a colony aggravates chalk brood.
Nutrition is important. Don’t let the colony run short of food at any time and make sure there is plenty of pollen.
Keep colonies strong in the ratio of bees to brood. Resist any manipulation that will result in a low number of adults, e.g. making up a nucleus and leaving it in the same apiary where some bees will fly home.  Resist transferring brood from hives with a chalk brood problem to other colonies.

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