New Beekeeper here. I took a photo of what I think is bearding? Am I correct?
There was some fanning too. The temp today in SEQLD is 28 degrees and it’s the first time I’ve seen this on my hive. I freaked out for a moment! I introduced an entrance reducer last week because it was quite windy, and since seeing this, I took it off.
I did an inspection last Friday and although I couldn’t see the queen, there was plenty of capped brood and larvae in the cells. The girls have still to build out two frames.
Hi Sam, great to see your topic.
It looks like bearding. I don’t think we discussed ventilation in our talks. An entrance reducer is a good thing if it means we can reduce the entrance down to what is suitable for the bees. Apparently the ideal entrance size opening is 15 sq.cm. Therefore if the entrance is 1cm deep, it needs to be no more than 15cm long. I like to break that up to 7.5 on each side. That way the bees can draw air in on one side, & out on the other.
Keeping the hive cool, or shaded is one way to help reduce the bearding. I’m sure you have it, however bees need access to water, which they use to help maintain the internal temperature. I’m constantly seeing bees take water from my water chestnuts.
Don’t add any extra ventilation. I don’t because I believe it works against the bees in their effort to air condition their hive via the entrance.
I’m seeing a lot of trees in flower at the moment, there might be a honey flow coming up. A couple of quick inspections this morning looks promising.
Thank you Sam. I was thinking that some rain this week might slow them down, but it seems they keep reducing the amount of rain we’re supposed to get. It feels hot & dry outside now.
Do you grow any dragonfruit? I picked a heap on the weekend. I’m experimenting with fermented dragonfruit honey. Also thinly sliced skins, apple, onion, garlic & ginger. As well as flowers, apple, onion, garlic & ginger. I made the last one previously which turned out beautiful. I picked two flowers from what is growing over the fence. I saw a video of a bloke who thins out the flowers so as to make the remaining fruit grow bigger. Then he slices the whole thing to use as a vegetable.
Sounds amazing. I don’t grow any dragonfruit currently but if I did, I’d be asking for your fermenting tips! I like the idea of the apple fermented honey.
The bees are lively today with this hot weather. They absolutely love the small lilac flowered weed growing in our paddock. Looks like I won’t be mowing those down any time soon
Hi Sam, if you want to grow some dragonfruits, I can help you with as many cuttings as you need. They are the easiest thing to grow, and I have to say they are the most rewarding thing I grow, especially seeing as there’s very little work involved. There’s nothing to spray for.
I know what you mean about not wanting to mow where the bees are foraging. I don’t like mowing when clover is in flower.
The honey flow is manifesting itself now. I started robbing yesterday with 5 boxes from 7 hives, & 5.5 from 9 today. I’ll keep going every day until I’ve caught up. I’m looking forward to cooler temps in the coming week.
