East Mountain Beeks

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Comment by Sharolyn Berry Eitenbichler on August 13, 2020 at 12:37pm

Hi EM Beekeepers,

Is this group still active? I recently moved from northern Colorado to San Pedro Creek. I have two custom-built hives that are horizontal hives with frames. I have lots of questions about timing of harvest, varroa mite treatment, and winterization. Am also wondering how much honey stores my bees are likely to need over winter, and if I should be concerned about bear activity. 

Comment by Jeannie Pace on March 10, 2019 at 4:22pm

Chris and Eric, 

Thanks for your feedback. 

Sounds like I need to regroup for spring. 

I have a top bar hive. I left the bars of comb in the order the bees had constructed them. I was a bit worried they might have to break cluster. Although the hive is in a sunny location, we have had some very cold events this winter. I insulated minimally, but may should have done more. 

I'll know more when I break the hive open in a couple of weeks. 

Jeannie 

Comment by Eric Bunnel on March 10, 2019 at 10:10am

All eight of my hives have been flying and bringing in a little bit of elm pollen. They fly any time it gets to about 50 degrees. If you haven't seen any activity by now I would guess that you lost them.

Comment by Chris on March 10, 2019 at 10:05am

When I went to go check on my bees the other day, I was surprised to see activity in all 3 of my hives.  I was almost certain one or two of them didn't survive the winter.  In the Fall, I fed them many gallons of sugar water in preparation for the colder weather.   I went through approx. 150 lbs. of sugar.  I'm going to start light feeding today and continue until I see some flowers.  I replaced the lid on one of my hives as it was warping badly and partially blocking the entrance.  When I lifted the old one off, there were a lot more bees than I was expecting.  I'm planning to leave them closed up for a few more weeks before I start doing thorough inspections.  I did see some bees bringing in pollen, which also surprised me a little bit considering we had snow a couple weeks ago.  With all the moisture we've had over the Winter, I'm hoping for a good Spring flow.  

Comment by Jeannie Pace on March 10, 2019 at 9:09am

Happy spring fellow Beeks, 

Because of the cooler temps and the high winds, I have not opened to inspect my top bar hive. On the last fall inspection, the colony was growing and had 10 combs of food and I continued to feed them until they sealed up the hive. 

So far this spring, I have not seen any evidence of housekeeping or guard bees. I'm hoping they survived winter. 

I'm wondering about the status of your colonies.  Any activity yet? 

Thanks, 

Jeannie

Comment by Jeannie Pace on July 28, 2017 at 1:43pm

Thanks, Chris. The strapping would keep all the boxes together even if the hive got dumped over. Because of my size and strength I may go with top bar hives as I get started. The strapping idea will work.

Comment by Chris on July 16, 2017 at 8:10am

Hi Jeannie-While probably not the most effective, I use ratcheting straps that go around the top of my Langstroth hives and underneath my stand.  I think a determined bear could easily get through them.  I'm considering other options but I'm not ready to put up an electric fence.  I contacted the Game and Fish Department a few months ago and they told me that they have a few electric fences available that they loan to beekeepers to use on a temporary basis.

Comment by Jeannie Pace on July 16, 2017 at 7:33am

Amy, thanks for the tip. One resource suggested an 'unwelcome' mat. Basically plywood with roofing nails sticking up to make it difficult to approach the hive. I'll check with Game and Fish.

Comment by Amy Owen on July 15, 2017 at 10:28pm

Jeannie-we put up an electric fence around my hives. Neighbors have seen bears in our area. I'd hate to find my hive torn apart by a bear. New Mexico Game and Fish gives away a set number of solar powered electric fences to beekeepers. You may want to give them a call and see if they have one available. I've heard that September is when the bears really go after beehives, trying to eat the brood that's high in protein for their winter stores.

Comment by Jeannie Pace on July 15, 2017 at 8:28pm

Have any of you had trouble with bears getting into your hives? Bears have been spotted already in our area and have torn down bird feeders. Any ideas for deterring. I am a newbie..or newbee....hoping to have bees and hives operating by spring but am concerned about attracting the bears.

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