We are not yet beekeepers. We are more like “bee putter in boxers.” It was the “keeping” part that gave us trouble.
Last week we purchased a package of bees, and with the utmost care and attention, sure that we were following all the sage advice that the internet and the library had to offer, we introduced them into their swanky new top bar hive that I built this spring.
For four days they buzzed around, showing nothing but signs of contentment. But on the fifth day, I knelt down on the ground to peek up into the hive through the mesh bottom, expecting to see the a writhing mass of 12,000 bees huddled around their queen like I had all week. But on this day, their was nothing. A few dead bees on the floor and one lone, very slow moving worker bee ambling about the hive, confused about her new found legroom and what for her was probably a terrifying silence.
They had released the queen from her cage, and had even built two beginnings of comb, but something there did not suit them. We can only hope that they’ve found a nice tree cavity somewhere near by and that they will still come and visit our garden this summer to do some pollinating. That would take a little bit of the sting out of seeing $120 vanish into the ether.
Bummer. You think they just didn’t like the digs or what?
Steve – Maybe they didn’t like the digs, maybe the location or maybe the queen. It was a new queen to the hive. If the hive didn’t approve of her, they might have killed her and left in search of another leading lady. I guess we’ll never really know. Bummer.
– Katie and Mark
I had a similar experience as a barkeeper.
Did you have any insight on why they flew? We’re still at a loss…
– Katie and Mark
Big Bummer! I’m sorry guys.
I grew up with hippie parents and our honey farm fed the neighborhood. When I moved to WA it was several years before I saw my first honey bee. It seems they are slowly coming back, be patient a new queen will find your hive, the swarm is all part of the circle 🙂
Alan,
Thanks for the encouragement. We’ve repositioned the hive and are patiently waiting for a queen to come realize our topbar’s potential! (We’re also keeping our ear out for any unhomed swarms in the area.) It’s awesome that you – and your neighborhood – were fed with your family’s hive. Very cool.
– Katie and Mark
Bummer! Sorry to hear that.
Did you have a reducer in the hive or was it entirely open? Were you feeding them? How large was your entrance?
As you have probably read there are a lot of causes for bees to abscond. It could be anything from too much room in the hive body, to a lack of feed, mouse urine in the hive or even ants will cause them to leave.
Kyle,
Yep, we did have a reducer and were feeding them with sugar water. We never noticed any mouse or ant activity. Perhaps they did have too much room…..or it was something with the particular location of the hive. I suppose we’ll never know, but we’ll move the hive and try again next year. Thanks for your thoughts!
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