Thanks dawn. I am not sure why the photos are out of order… I went through systematically every frame thinking this would likely be the last full inspection until spring.
Do you have any opinions about what/when to do something with those partially drawn plastic foundation frames?
There have been quite a few drones left out in front of the hive so I think their numbers are dwindling. Feasts for yellowjackets.
The bees are still bringing in a fair amount of pollen but I think there isn’t much nectar around.
It surprised me how much worker brood there was - I thought things would be slowing down but this week is the first week that the highs will only be in the 50’s.
[quote=“Dawn_SD, post:9, topic:26526”]
I only use small entrances when wasps/hornets or robbing are a problem. [/quote]
I was sitting watching the entrance just now and a yellow and black wasp (not sure if paper wasp or Yellowjacket) just walked right into the entrance. Bees didn’t seem to put up any fight even though it bumped into several on the way inside. Didn’t see any others… does that seem normal? There’s a lot of traffic at the entrance as the weather has been really nice but should I reduce the entrance down to small? Or should I not worry too much about the errant visitor?
How big is the entrance right now? If it is the 4-6" medium opening that you mentioned above, I would leave it there unless you see multiple wasps attacking.
I think you will be fine, then. If the guards object, they will find a way of throwing it out. They certainly won’t tolerate any wasp nest building in their hive!
@Dawn_SD, just an enquire, could that lone wasp be a scout, looking for a new place to rob, nest, or what ever else it could be up to??? @chau06 have you seen any other wasps hanging around since?
I didn’t see any more after that one. And I didn’t see any signs of robbing.
It’s currently just below freezing with some overnight lows in the next few days around the -8°C range so I think the wasps are done until the spring.
Does anyone have any recommendations for wasp and hornet traps that I can put out in the spring to lure emerging queens? I used a WHY Trap without much success last year.
