We are already mid July and the NC dearth is probably on us. BUT My bees are working something local as pollen is still coming in (visual observation), but with so little rain there cannot be much nectar.
The hives are booming. The big hive has already produced 4 boxes of honey this year and is still 4 boxes tall. Only take the top box off each time and move frames around to encourage work in all regions.
The Ballinger swarm is the slowest hive but doing well. Plenty brood and 3 frames of honey stores full and at least 1 full of pollen plus scatterings on oter frames in deep Plus started new super as well. Feeding all the smaller hives. About a quart every 5 days.
The Waynes bee hives are both doing well. I am seeing small hive beetle in all hives, quite a few , but have not seen any damage yet and bees chase them whenever i open the hive. Kill any i see too. Have drenched the ground once and will do it again tomorrow. Ants remain a nuisance. I have ideas and must implement them sometime whenthe heat wave is over. 97 deg today with 98 forecast tomorrow. Phew!!
I am seeing some cool bearding in the hot evenigs. Will up load some pics soon.
