Thymol in - Bees out

Hundreds of bees are loaded with pollen and attempt entry only to come back out toute suite.

Varroa tray in.

Hope they settle back in tonight.

Maybe an idea to enlarge the entrances for a couple of days, until they get used to the thymol.

isn't the middle entrance actually completely shut (the lip is down)???? no wonder you have confused bees all over the place!!!

Hivemaker. said:

Maybe an idea to enlarge the entrances for a couple of days, until they get used to the thymol.

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Thanks v much for that will do Pete. Varroa falling like flies during first hour.

Drstitson - middle is empty spare - but thanks for the heads-up.

"Drstitson - middle is empty spare - but thanks for the heads-up."

you're welcome. just extra vigilant re the entrance reducers/closers after an episode where one was trimmed slightly generously at the end (not noticed when closing at dusk) - just enough space for bees to literally squeeze out one at a time. Lost a couple of cup fulls in transit - luckily i always wrap hives in mozzie nets for travel so no danger to me.

tip - always check fit of these pieces in daylight on receipt and ask for replacements of any (rare) items with poor fit.

BTW this is my most serious gripe about MB polys. otherwise really good.

V good point, thanks.

Have they settled down yet?

Alyson

alynewbee said:

Have they settled down yet?

Alyson

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Waiting for wife to return from check - will post.

alynewbee said:

Have they settled down yet?

Alyson

Click to expand...

Wife returned this morning to say biggish cluster (not as big as pics) still outside the hive.

200-300 bees lying on the black weed suppressant stuff - uncertain whether all dead - a lot moved a little when shook.

Over 30 mins, as sun (heat) showed a little, some started to recover, the cluster became smaller.

An ear against the hive - all sounded active and healthy

Visited again this evening 5ish, fairly quiet but looks fine.

Only 12+/- dead all told - Phew! Worry set aside.


In addition we also thymolised the hive containing Hivemaker's 'ready-to-go' Q bought nearly two months ago - this hive was a 'follower' hive and 'stings at-the-ready-make-one-mistake-buster-and-you're-straight-to-anaphylasia' << OML

Hivemaker's Q has changed the temperament and we could have worked without gloves

The brood box is as packed as a village hall dance late on a Saturday night (good old days!) without the inebriates I should add.

Now, to the Thymol.

Not a bunch of namby-pamby orange bees here!

Super off, smoked, brushed and clear to take away.

Thymol on.

Rapid feeder filled.

Watch for the exodus -

Hardly any - by far the greatest majority of bees gathering outside were the huge amount of returning foragers who were laden with big tractor-wheel-like pollen, mostly primrose yellow or lighter, interspersed with the last of the blackberry and a couple of other colours.

These returning warriors laden with the spoils of foraging, marched to the entrance and within, as they had so many times before.

Only, this time, they did a volte-farce, spat, and went to the entrance again and soonest returned to spit again before wandering off along the hive-bench in rows 3 and 4 wide and three feet long, Thymol filling their eyes with tears.

We imagined much muttering was going on about, "This is what happens when we're away for a bit - place falls to pieces - can't trust them on their own for five minutes" type intercourse.

Meanwhile, did Hivemaker's Q and her warriors break rank and head for air - No! These brave little heroes stood firm and the varroa fell from them as trees in a storm.

Out there,
In the wild moors
Of Lorna Doone,
Torn by flood,
Battered by storm,
Yet,
Basking in the sunshine of a beekeeper's love;
There!
As surely as
The Moon;
Rises the Buckfast strain.
Proud and Regal.

From within the Hive
As Thymol filled its environs.

The HM's rallying sounds to her subjects:

Tonight, we dine in hell!

The old battle-cry was heard
Honeybees!..........