Recent content by Amiga

Do we have a Duck Emergency thread here on BYH? I also feel a bit "at sea."

Like when cousin Alba finally comes for a visit, with all eight kids....

Went to the hive late this morning, to make a couple of minor adjustments, and rested my ear against the top bars. Heard nothing. :( Moved to the front of the hive - no activity - not a surprise, it was low 40s F. Rested my ear against the front of the hive. And I heard . . . the humming of...

Fascinating!

I have the top bar hive strapped down, as well as up on top of a couple of concrete blocks, surrounded by electric polywire fence. It is not a guarantee, but a deterrent. And there is plenty of easier eats in the woods around us, I think.

I use honey when I make switzel, which is what outdoor workers drank before there was Gatorade. I think it's a quarter teaspoon of ginger,half a cup of apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon of honey, and a dash of hot pepper. Bring that to a boil, let it cool, then add to a half gallon of water...

I have appreciated the information from backyardhive dot com - Corwin Bell. I don't follow his every suggestion, but I like the approach, and I have one top bar hive, new this year. Gold Star Honeybees' Christy Hemenway has been helpful. And I like this site, too. Local beekeepers...

For my cats I use Revolution, and in the house I use Fleabusters. That stuff is wonderful! The ducks' temperature is too warm, I am told, for ticks and fleas. I have not verified that tidbit. Also, they bathe regularly. Here in the Land of Lyme, a practice that is catching on is using tubes...

Bravo, Happy Chooks! Bravo, Bees!

We had a couple of mild days this week - and a scout bee came by the house to say hello (maybe?). I saw several bees flying in and out of the hive - time for cleansing flights, I suppose. It was a joy to see they are still with us.

Trimming down the wire cooling rack - a small bolt cutter makes the job very easy. Here is one http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-3388-12-Inch-Bolt-Cutter/dp/B000NPXHXE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415936410&sr=8-1&keywords=bolt+cutters

Folks, I am happy to report that in spite of the weather and a number of events that piled up over the last several days, the hive has 16 pounds of fondant in a dish with an enamel-coated metal basket holding it up. I will see if I can send along a photo tomorrow. What I learned . . . well, I...

Just a little update - there are so many factors that go into the few decisions I am making about doing all I can to support the bees their first winter. And I guess for all but one, it is their last, too. sigh. But the hive can survive! I will spare all the details and torturous thought...

Ooh, la la! Wonderful!

I wonder if I could cut it down to the TBH dimensions? Rather than square, the cross-section of the TBH is trapezoidal. So that might fit, with extra space at the top. hmmm