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Scott Offline OP
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I'm new at beekeeping. Ordered a nuc in Jan for delivery the end of April/beginning of May. Supplier kept putting off delivery due to weather - it had been cool in NW PA. Since I wasn't getting a warm and fuzzy about this guy I found another apiary and bought a nuc from him. Got it home and installed in 10 frame hive body just over two weeks ago. Did 2 inspections and it seems to be doing well. Goes thru a quart of syrup about every other day.

Anyway the day after I installed the nuc the first guy calls and says my original nuc is ready. I have another hive so no problem. Weather really warmed up that week. I talked to the guy about picking up the nuc - I was concerned with the 1.5hr drive and the heat. He said he'd close them up the night before and keep them in the shade the next day when I could get them after work. It was 95F, probably hottest day of the year so far. Told me to keep them in my truck cab in the AC, set the nuc box on the new hive for an hour to settle them, then open the plug and let them out. Once it was dark they'd be back in the nuc box and I should tranfer them early the next morning. I did first few steps but when I pulled the plug a lot of dead bees fell out. When I peeked in the nuc there were dead bees all over so I decided to transfer them then. That went OK and I'm pretty sure I saw the queen. The dead bee pile was about the size of a small cantelope, probably half of them. I've really only looked at them once in 2 weeks and seems to be struggling, not many bees. Plan to do an inspection this weekend and will see if I can get a local beekeeper to help.

My question is what did I do wrong with the 2nd nuc? Transporting in AC? Should've waited for a cooler day? Apiary shouldn't have kept them in the nuc box closed up with limited ventilation in one of the hottest days of the year so far?

I don't want to repeat the mistake.

Thanks.


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Originally Posted by Scott
I'm new at beekeeping. Ordered a nuc in Jan for delivery the end of April/beginning of May. Supplier kept putting off delivery due to weather - it had been cool in NW PA. Since I wasn't getting a warm and fuzzy about this guy I found another apiary and bought a nuc from him. Got it home and installed in 10 frame hive body just over two weeks ago. Did 2 inspections and it seems to be doing well. Goes thru a quart of syrup about every other day.

Anyway the day after I installed the nuc the first guy calls and says my original nuc is ready. I have another hive so no problem. Weather really warmed up that week. I talked to the guy about picking up the nuc - I was concerned with the 1.5hr drive and the heat. He said he'd close them up the night before and keep them in the shade the next day when I could get them after work. It was 95F, probably hottest day of the year so far. Told me to keep them in my truck cab in the AC, set the nuc box on the new hive for an hour to settle them, then open the plug and let them out. Once it was dark they'd be back in the nuc box and I should tranfer them early the next morning. I did first few steps but when I pulled the plug a lot of dead bees fell out. When I peeked in the nuc there were dead bees all over so I decided to transfer them then. That went OK and I'm pretty sure I saw the queen. The dead bee pile was about the size of a small cantelope, probably half of them. I've really only looked at them once in 2 weeks and seems to be struggling, not many bees. Plan to do an inspection this weekend and will see if I can get a local beekeeper to help.

My question is what did I do wrong with the 2nd nuc? Transporting in AC? Should've waited for a cooler day? Apiary shouldn't have kept them in the nuc box closed up with limited ventilation in one of the hottest days of the year so far?

I don't want to repeat the mistake.

Thanks.



Apiary shouldn't have kept them in the nuc box closed up with limited ventilation in one of the hottest days of the year so far?

This is a big no-no. A hive produces a lot of heat, and restricting ventilation in warm weather can wipe out a hive very quickly.

Last edited by Beoceorl; 06/24/20.

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Scott Offline OP
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[/quote]

Apiary shouldn't have kept them in the nuc box closed up with limited ventilation in one of the hottest days of the year so far?

This is a big no-no. A hive produces a lot of heat, and restricting ventilation in warm weather can wipe out a hive very quickly.
[/quote]

Thanks, that was my thinking also but I talked to another beekeeper last week and he said it was the AC in the truck cab but that didn't make sense to me.

My next step is to confirm the queen survived then just keep nursing them along.

Any other advice is appreciated.


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I agree with Beo (not that I have his experience). They need ventilation.


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Just make sure they aren't queenless, and feed as needed. If your healthy hive can spare a couple of frames of brood and nurse bees you could transfer them over to the weak hive.

I'm at a loss as to how the AC could harm them.


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Originally Posted by Beoceorl


I'm at a loss as to how the AC could harm them.


I'd be willing to bet the AC saved the rest of the hive from dying.


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Bee keeping can be one of the most rewarding things that you will ever do, and then tomorrow, it can be the most heart breaking......


In today's climate, the battle is very real, black bears, diseases, mites and colony abandonment , don't overthink things, just enjoy bees doing what bees do .

And yes, I think moving bees in that heat was a mistake.


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Originally Posted by Steve
Originally Posted by Beoceorl

I'm at a loss as to how the AC could harm them.

I'd be willing to bet the AC saved the rest of the hive from dying.

From my small amount of experience, I’d have to agree. AC May have slowed them but reduced the stress.

Bees are flown commercially up to AK, and one year the entire shipment (couple pickup loads) were left on the tarmac in 90*+ sun in SLC and arrived dead.


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Scott Offline OP
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I'm hesitant to move any bees from healthy hive just yet. They were just starting into new frames the last I checked.


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Originally Posted by Scott
I'm hesitant to move any bees from healthy hive just yet. They were just starting into new frames the last I checked.


If the nuc comes up queenless, or just looks like its not going to make it, you can always do a newspaper combine as a last resort.


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I like raw honey and I just finished hitting up a bowstring with 100% percent beeswax so Good Luck and Godspeed as you begin your new phase of apiarian.

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I just watched a video on a newspaper combine last week. Thanks for the idea and your advice.

I guess I'll know more this weekend.


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I've been in contact with the apiary about my concerns and let him know my disappointment on how this went. He's offered to travel to my location to see my setup and look at the hive himself. He's also bringing another nuc but we haven't discussed price.


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Don't think I'd buy any bees from that guy again. He should have known better, and he should know your setup was not the problem.


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He showed up, inspected the weak hive, and agreed that a lot of the carnage was heat related. Nothing wrong with my setup. We did find an emgency queen cell. He gave me a new nuc and, since original colony was so weak, we combined them at no cost to me. Only recommendation was going from an entrance feeder to a top feeder. I have two that came with the hives so they're going in today.


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I dont meant to steal the thread.....

About a week ago, I got started with bees. Got a lot to learn, but so far they seem to be doing ok. I have read where it is better to be proactive rather than reactive on mite control. These hives have not been treated for mites..... what do you suggest for a starting hive?

I do have a homemade moth trap in place and a sheet in the hive for beetles. I'm feeding 1:1 sugar/water in the hive.

Any other suggestions about something I'm missing is appreciated.


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Tag, have also wanted to try bees.


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BiL just got started. Aside from the regular benefits, looking into a possible agriculture
tax exemption. May offset a lot of bee costs.


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