National Bee Unit Husbandry Questionnaire

Reflecting on the changes in the apiary in the last year

In the post this week I received a survey from the National Bee Unit who monitor husbandry practices, colony losses and bee health.   The questionnaire covered 2015 and last Winter and as I answered it I realised what a lot has changed in our apiary!

We had 2 colonies back in April 2015, both in the home apiary, then Dad collected the Sue Bees swarm which was set up in the out apiary.   These bees built up  nicely but they got a bad reputation.  Dad took 18lb of oil seed rape honey off them in May and since then they have been chasing anyone nearby.   They joined Dee in the cab of his digger; they stung dad through his veil and they also got between his glove and bee suit...ouch!   They also subsequently swarmed although no sign of preparation for swarming had been noticed.   Dad is happy with the remaining Sue Bees and rather hopes they are calmer and less swarmy.  So far, so good.

The G Bees were almost lost to wasps and they overwintered in a nucleus box

By the end of last Summer, the two colonies in the home apiary were being predated by wasps.   In August we packed the remaining bees up and transported them to the out apiary where they overwintered in a  nucleus box (i.e. a VERY small hive).   

In late Winter, we took them back to the home apiary and set them up alongside the Rubettes, a robust new colony we acquired late last Summer, thinking we had lost the G Bees.   Answering the NBU survey according to their guidelines, the G Bees colony did qualify as a "lost" colony.   However, the G Bees built up well in the Spring, quickly occupying a 14 x 12 brood chamber and by mid-May we were able to take 2 full supers of oil seed rape honey off of the Rubettes and one off the G Bees.   

By Mid July, the Rubettes had 3 supers and I knew the bottom 2 were full.  The G Bees, still dubbed "the small colony" had 2 supers.   

Last weekend, I opened up the G Bees and realised they needed a third super too.  They were cramming wax and honey in every nook and cranny.    As I didn't have any frames ready, I emptied a super and put it back on wet.  Then I did the same for the Rubettes.  I could tell the Rubettes had more space, i.e. 3 supers already, because their hive was neat and orderly with no odd wax comb sproutings.   Both colonies were producing beautiful even sealed frames (see the photograph at the top).

I am in total awe of the G Bees!

So, imagine my surprise this weekend when I checked on the G Bees.   This, my colony that was almost predated to extinction last year; the colony that over wintered in a nucleus because it was so small had filled and capped a super in a week!   Where are they getting the nectar? No idea.  Everyone tells me it's too late for the bees to be making so much honey but the G Bees have never listened to convention.

The Rubettes, my fabulously strong and slightly grumpy colony had pretty much filled their wet super too but they haven't sealed the frames yet.

Both colonies now have an empty super to fill plus 2 full supers.   I have run out of honey buckets and jars.  I am in total awe of the G Bees.   There is nowhere on the NBU questionnaire to explain how my lost colony is now the strongest one!