Marisa's Page

Hi Marisa,

I haven't been on this site in over a year. Scary...If you ever have any questions, feel free to e-mail me directly at rob.koonce@icloud.com. I tend to stay away from all listservs, but I am happy to respond as needed. I am glad that you enjoyed the conference. 

Take care,

Rob

No.  Beth isn't on here

Hi Marisa,

Sorry I am only just now getting back to you!  The hive you opened sounds like it is doing great.  Have you gone in the second one yet? 

My bees seem to be doing well.  Last I looked there were 8 bars of comb and I saw worker brood.  I haven't looked at the first three bars though since they have attached them to the window and I am too afraid to cut it in case it falls off.  What a wimp!  I am determined to get in there and do it one of these days because I think that's where most of the "action" is, but now it is too hot so I'll have to wait. 

Let me know what you find in hive number two. I would love to come over and watch sometime when you next go in and you are welcome to come see mine.  I think the more we see things the more we will learn.  Keep me updated on your progress!

Sarah

Marissa,  Sorry I have been slow to get back to you.  I have been traveling and haven't kept up.  It sounds like you did all the right things with your top bar hive.  I don't see why freezing comb would be a problem.  It ensures that you have killed all the wax moth larvae and perhaps any veroa mites that may have been hanging around.  Let me know how your other hive looked when you opened it.  Did you have to split it and find another hive to put it in?  I am building a top bar nuc to have a small hive available.  I have installed two colonies of bees since we talked:  a package I got from Missouri (test) and a nuc from Zia Queen Bees up in Truches.  My package went into a topbar hive where I could steal some comb and brood from my active hive.  They are doing well.  The nuc went into a langstroth hive on Monday evening and looks pretty good.  I am going to check on both hives this weekend.  My old colony is putting away honey in the back of the hive so I am excited that I might get to harvest this year.  Let me know how things are going.  Leon

Hi Marisa,

So how were your hives doing when you opened them?Sarah

Marisa,  Glad you enjoyed the session and hoped it was useful.  I installed a new colony of bees this past week in a top bar hive.  My queen is out of the cage and the hive seems active.  It is interesting to watch as they get settled.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I'd be happy to help in any way.  Leon