Strange Year

[northernsoul]

No Wasps and now very few drones. Already been kicked out.

Despite the current sun, my bees think it's October!

 

[Into the lions den]

At least a third of ours evicted the drones by the first week or so of July............and the black bees in particular have gone backwards ever since. Colonies with brood in 7 now with brood in three of four. BAD BAD sign for both the heather crop and having enough young bees for overwinter. Thats what no nectar and no days above 16C for 9 weeks gets you.

There will be lots of poorly mated queens as well, and already factoring in a high level of winter losses.

 

[Lancygirl]

Drone eviction

Dead drones all over the place by the hives this week. One still on running board, so still evicting them.

 

[Polyanwood]

Plenty of drones in the big colonies in London still. Nucs all drone free.

 

[madasafish]

Lots of drones here..(even though we had daily rain for about 6 months out of 7 to date).

 

[justme]

Plenty of drones here also and hardly any dry, warm days.

 

[margob99]

Plenty of drones throughout the last 7 months; only just starting to see them being evicted in the last few days.

Also, first 3 wasps spotted today

 

[user 6228]

The madams are still laying their quota of drones attached to the bottom of the frames to match the full frames of worker... dont think we will treat but just cull the drones this year. The strong laying low down off the frames might be due to the insulated solid floors (or not).

 

[Andy Duff]

It's normal for July here, the ladies going like the clappers, drones in and out the hives. I am having to check the supers every 2 days as they are filling so fast. The best bit, nobody on the allotments has seen a wasp for months, if at all