Malcolm B Loc: Leicester (UK)

Well, spring has finally arrived and a couple of days ago I went through my beehives for the first time this year. I wasn’t expecting them to be in great shape and I wasn’t disappointed. They were in terrible shape. I had already lost 3 of my 7 hives over the winter and now I have lost another one.

The picture is of the floor of the hive I lost, the other hives looked similar but had live bees still in them and the queens. Hopefully I can coax them back to health and fitness. The pyramid shape at the top is the entrance to the hive through the block that is put in to help keep them warm but also to restrict access so they can defend themselves against attacks by wasps. The white stuff is candy, better known as icing sugar. Because of the poor season last summer and the cold winter this year, although they had plenty of food they had to be fed close to the bee ball as they were not moving the few inches to frames filled with food. Even so, as you can see nature has not been kind this year.

I am certainly not the only beekeeper in this situation, some have lost all their bees. Ah well, all we can do hope that the bees have the strength to survive, but I for one can say goodbye to any honey this year.

cockney greg Loc: London E17

Sorry to hear that Malcom B......isn't there a virus that's devastated numbers over the past couple of years too?

Doddy Loc: Barnard Castle-England

And on top of all that Pesticides are thought to be part of the problem. Hope things improve for you and your Bees Malcolm.

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

I read about a subtle disruption to the bees brain from a side effect of insecticides not meant for them. It makes me sad that it becomes a political-business football, as we ALL sort of really, badly need bees. And I like them!

Best of luck, pour a small glass of Mead and toast to their health.

Malcolm B Loc: Leicester (UK)

Thank you everyone. Hopefully they will survive and we can get back to business as usual next year.

As you say Doddy, we do need the bees, to pollinate all our fruit and flowers. I have to say that bees are not the only pollinators but last year in the community orchard on the local park there were no apples at all, it was such a poor year for all pollinators. With the lack of insects about it also means that the birds don't do well either.

Here's to next year. Cheers.

serrota65

Malcom, here in Western Washington we've had a challenge keeping bees over winter. But I tried a few things this past winter that seemed to help.
1) I built a simple wood frame to support a tarp over the hives. This keeps the rain, snow and wind off.
2) Then I wrapped the hive boxes with some bubble wrap to help insulate them.
3) Blocked off most of the entrance to reduce heat loss and prevent intruders.
Plus we had a pretty mild winter this year.
Good luck!
Bill

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

That is just so very sad. I do agree that very few understand the value and importance of the bee. I hope you're able to rebound from all this.