I’m just North of Green Bay, Wisconsin. I use Broodminder sensors and scales, which greatly helps limiting my time in the hives. I live on White Pine Rd, so yes pine needles are the best 😄
New beekeeper… (just released a couple videos on my channel.) But I check once a week. Mine are next to my house which makes it easy. I check for pests. Make sure there’s new brood for signs the queen is doing her job. And I have observation window on the top so I can open the top without a suit to check the honey supers. In QLD Australia.
Use what PPE and safety measures you feel you need to take to get your confidence back. It's all good you learnt a tough lesson and are doing well, I am Glad that you decided to stick with honey bees. I am in Washington State so I can not really give you advice on inspections for this time of year, about all I do is look in the top and see what I can see and check food levels. In fact my girls Winter feed is getting put on them and I'll not check for a month or two after that.😁Keep at it you and your husband are doing great, Blessed Days...
I'm in Michigan, I check twice in the spring and once in the fall to make sure my hives are queen right. Any other times I crack the lid just to look to see if they need more room for honey.
We are southeast of Dallas Tx. and not as often as I would like. Typically only inspect the broad chamber in the spring unless I think something is going on I need to verify. Pine needles are my fuel of choice, they are plentiful in are area if I need it to last for an extended period of time I'll through a cone in preferably closed.
Im In Australia on the south coast NSW, during spring, summer and autumn I will typically inspect the brood box every 1/5 to 2 weeks for queen presence, swarm prevention, disease and pests especially now with Varroa approaching our area rapidly. Don't inspect at all through winter but may give them a feed. Investing in a triple layer suit is well worth it and you don't have to wear all those extra layers. Hope this helps
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I’m just North of Green Bay, Wisconsin. I use Broodminder sensors and scales, which greatly helps limiting my time in the hives. I live on White Pine Rd, so yes pine needles are the best 😄
New beekeeper… (just released a couple videos on my channel.) But I check once a week. Mine are next to my house which makes it easy.
I check for pests.
Make sure there’s new brood for signs the queen is doing her job.
And I have observation window on the top so I can open the top without a suit to check the honey supers.
In QLD Australia.
Use what PPE and safety measures you feel you need to take to get your confidence back. It's all good you learnt a tough lesson and are doing well, I am Glad that you decided to stick with honey bees.
I am in Washington State so I can not really give you advice on inspections for this time of year, about all I do is look in the top and see what I can see and check food levels. In fact my girls Winter feed is getting put on them and I'll not check for a month or two after that.😁Keep at it you and your husband are doing great, Blessed Days...
I'm in Michigan, I check twice in the spring and once in the fall to make sure my hives are queen right. Any other times I crack the lid just to look to see if they need more room for honey.
We are southeast of Dallas Tx. and not as often as I would like. Typically only inspect the broad chamber in the spring unless I think something is going on I need to verify. Pine needles are my fuel of choice, they are plentiful in are area if I need it to last for an extended period of time I'll through a cone in preferably closed.
Thank you! I’ve got a good supply of pine needles out here in the woods.
Im In Australia on the south coast NSW, during spring, summer and autumn I will typically inspect the brood box every 1/5 to 2 weeks for queen presence, swarm prevention, disease and pests especially now with Varroa approaching our area rapidly. Don't inspect at all through winter but may give them a feed. Investing in a triple layer suit is well worth it and you don't have to wear all those extra layers. Hope this helps
Thank you so much for the advice! I’m learning every day!