Well, something has happened to one of our honeybee colonies. Candleford, to be specific. I don’t expect you to remember the details, but do you remember when our other hive, Lark Rise, swarmed? Ever since, we’ve been worried that our Lark Rise bees wouldn’t be able to build their numbers back up, and that they wouldn’t survive the upcoming winter. (Lark Rise is the hive in the foreground above.)
It turns out, we were worried about the wrong hive (or maybe we’ll lose both colonies before the year is out. I’m a little pessimistic right now.) A few weeks ago, we had no reason to be concerned with Candleford. The hive was full of busy bees. Everything seemed great. Then about ten days ago, Jonny noticed when he was feeding them, that there didn’t seem to be as many bees in the hive as usual. This was our strong hive though, the one we needn’t worry about. So, we didn’t.
We had noticed a few hive beetles in both of our hives, and decided to open both of them up and place some hive beetle traps inside. A few days later we went back to check on the success of those traps. When we opened up Candleford we were shocked to find that there were hardly any bees inside. There were frames packed with honey, but no bees. We went down into the hive and found a cluster of bees and amongst them we spotted the queen. We closed up the hive and over the next couple of days discussed what we should do, both realizing that there wasn’t really anything to do but accept that the colony had failed. Over the weekend I walked down to check on the hives and noticed that yellow jackets were flying freely in and out of Candleford. I knew that the end had come. (Considering the fact that my eyes are filling with tears as I type this, I may be too darn emotional to be a beekeeper anyway.)
Jonny and I opened up the hive and went through every single frame. Where did our bees go? This time it wasn’t a swarm that left. Our bees left because something must have been wrong, but we don’t know what it was that caused our strongest hive to fail. There were no signs of disease that we could dicsern, but of course we are first year beekeepers. We saw a wax moth, but no wax moth damage. We saw some small hive beetles, but not that many. We also know that Varroa mites were present in the hive, but not in high numbers as far as we could tell (we use screened bottom boards and saw mites on the board, but never on any of the bees.) Jonny and I both know that to raise bees the way that we want to, our bees have to learn to cope with and defend themselves against a small numbers of all of these pests. If they can’t do that (with minimal help from us,) then they will fail.
As of today, there is only one hive sitting on the honeybee “altar” that Jonny built.
We’re keeping a close watch on Lark Rise, and hoping for the best.
And we’re already making plans for next spring’s bees. The only way we are going to learn and the only way we are going to raise bees that can survive without chemicals and other additives, is to keep trying. I’m wiping away my tears, and determining to carry on. I am excited about next spring, even if we find ourselves starting over.
p.s. Jonny isn’t the least bit discouraged and would probably want me to add that he hasn’t done any crying. He doesn’t understand why I get emotional over insects. Neither do I.
Heather says
Ginny, I understand. We lost both of our little hives this year. Both of them. One of them was starving and we didn’t catch it soon enough. (We left the country for a month and then were immediately launched into One Thing After Another and the bees suffered for it.) And the other, well, we don’t know. But I noticed less and less activity from the hive, but since I’m not the beekeeper and my husband is, and he was out working (he’s an over the road truck driver)..well. It was just this last week we were able to open up the hives and found that wax moths had moved in and completely destroyed the hive, and were starting in on the other one.
I won’t lie, I cried for those bugs. We’re hoping to be in position to start over next year, the year after that at the latest. (There’s lots of moving around in our future unfortunately.) Until then…more reading and learning!
Ruth says
I’m so sorry about your bees, Ginny. This post broke my heart. I would cry too if we lost our hive. I’m really worried we’re going to lose ours as well. I’m praying Lark Rise will survive the winter.
Shannon says
So many people lost bees here on the island where I live this past winter. It has been hard to hear the stories, but inspiring also to hear how people are continuing to try and try again. Thank you for sharing.
Amy Caroline says
Oh no! I love the names of your colonies by the way. I am so sorry that they are not thriving. Don’t give up hope, maybe you just need to start over. And you cry all you want. Johnny will be strong for both of you. 🙂
simona - artsy ants says
sorry it didn’t work out as planned, but it worked out in the sense that you tried it out and you’ve gained some experience. next year might turn out very different! and don’t worry about getting emotional about insects, you’re not the only one 🙂
Elisabeth says
My brother just started keeping bees. He ONLY catches wild swarms in his area, with the theory that they are already hardened to all the environmental “stuff” in his neighborhood, including the massive pesticide use of some local farm operations. So far, so good. The bees he got sent from a catalog initially are all gone or deceased. Keep your eyes open on your forest walks for the next hive inhabitants!
Michelle says
That’s a shame. 🙁 We lost our strongest hive last month — the bees and honey just left. We thought they’d already swarmed, but then the rest of ’em headed for the hills.
I love that you name your hives. That’d make them much easier to discuss than our “the one furthest back by the fence and to the right….no the other one….” discussions.
Dotty says
Ginny, Have you ever read about the Warre hive? Here is a link: http://thebeespace.net/warre-hive/
We decided to try the Warre hive when we started with bees last year. Management is very different than the Langstroth hive system, but we like it.
I can imagine how you feel-I’m sorry about that hive loss. It’s always worse when you aren’t sure why.
Dotty
Jeni says
Oh, no. So sorry to hear about your bees. I’m not sure if I have the fortitude to keep bees…I can hardly keep the mums alive that I got from the nursery…two weeks ago. But you’ll pull things together and make it work next year – I have faith in you.
annie says
If it makes you feel at all better, a number of our friends have had similar experiences over the last couple of years. And, although it has been the better part of a decade since we last kept bees personally, I can confirm what some of the other commenters are saying about the hives that are left mostly to their own devices tending to be stronger. That was certainly the case for us! So you are on the right track. Remind me sometime during one of our late evening email exchanges to tell you the story of attempting to catch a swarm in our very urban front yard using only some newspaper and a recycling bin while trying to appear totally casual so as not to alarm the neighbors…
Taryn Kae Wilson @ Wooly Moss Roots says
Ginny,
Sorry it didn’t work out this year, but like you say, there’s always next year. Sharing your experience here is so helpful for those (like my family) that would like to raise bees naturally too (at some point.) I appreciate you sharing.
Love,
Taryn
P.S. I love Beatrix’s expression in the last picture, it’s so sweet.
Alex says
http://www.checkmateapiaries.net They’re in NC. Close, but not local. Talk to Jessica. Wish you the best!
Alex says
http://www.checkmateapiaries.net They’re in NC, close but not local. Talk to Jessica. Wish you the best!
Gretchen says
Such a bummer about the bees – we had our swarm in August! They seem to have recovered, but it was such a late swarm – who knows. Our first year too. Hope you remaining hive stays strong!
Kim says
So sorry about your bees.
Audrey says
Pooh. That is so disappointing. I would love to keep bees but can’t due to close suburban quarters and a neighbor who despises “stinging insects” (what a wimp!). I’ve been following along on your adventure with high hopes. So I’m sad about this too and I can fully understand the tears. I KNOW I’d be the same. I did some graduate work in Animal Behavior on bees and they are just the most fascinating creatures!!!
Rachel Wolf says
I’d cry too. We hope to embark on our beekeeping journey in the spring. I wonder what the future holds. xo
Hullabaloo Homestead says
Do you know anyone to get bees from very locally? As in a few mile radius of your home? That would be the best way to get started again come spring. If you could at least get a “local” queen to go with your packaged bees that would give them a stronger start. At least I think that’s the info I took away from the one bee meeting I attended! Good luck! We’re all learning…no need for tears mama, although I know it can feel frustrating at times. 😉
:)Lisa
heathermama hawkes says
i’m sorry you lost your bees. it is sad. you do care for them and hope the best for them, so you can be sad over their loss. so strange what happened. i wonder what is going on? or went on.
Becca says
So sorry to hear of this. I could make lots of jokes about those snobs the Candlefords and the rebellious larkrisers but I won’t. (love those names as I’m obsessed over the tv show!) Bee keeping is such a mystery to me. Hope you have better luck soon.
Elisa says
I’m so sorry, Ginny. I’d be crying too. Are you familiar with Jacqueline’s blog? She knows a lot about beekeeping, maybe you can shoot her a note to find out why this happened. http://www.deeprootsathome.com/bee-utiful-honey-why-not-keep-bees/#
Stephinie {gypsyforest} says
I too see some emotion tied up in nurturing something… even if it is insects.
This learning is so hard sometimes, be it homesteading or parenting or anything done with love and hope carried in your heart.
xo~
stephinie
Nahuatl Vargas says
I get it. And I’m sorry, send you the best wishes.
Grace says
I am so sorry, Ginny. Also, I somehow missed that your hives were called Lark Rise and Candleford. I referred to Minnie in my post today! It seems funny to me, although your sad bee situation does not. xoxox
Teresa says
Of course you are emotional. You are a mother!
Have you looked into the top bar method. It seems that the bees have a better chance of surviving the winter et al when they can grow different sized bees ( smaller to over winter for example). I have not read this but just pulled it in case you had not heard of this method http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/Top-Bar-Beekeeping-Method.aspx
Meryl says
So very sorry to hear about the loss of the hive. Hopefully the other one will make it through the winter successfully.
Mackenzie {WhiletheWaterBoils} says
Oh goodness, so sorry dear! That’s just such a bummer. Wishing you much better luck next year! (And of course that your remaining bees make it through just fine!) xo
Heather says
So sorry about the bees, but glad it provided some education for you. Could a plus “bee” that you get the honey?
Ginny says
We gave the honey to our other hive….
Sonja says
I am so sorry about tge bees, but glad to hear you’re going to keep trying. Our first hive “failed” a couple years ago and it was devastating and quite traumatic. Ours swarmed and apparently, the new wueen mated with a nasty breed and we ended up with very aggressive bees. I had to take a break after that, but hope to start again, some day after we are on our own property.
Dessi says
Larkrise to Candleford was such a good book!! BBC did an amazing job with the series too:)
steph says
of course, you are emotional; you cared for…and nutured those little critters. But look at all you have learned from them…..and how much more prepared you will be in the spring. The circle of life thing again….live-love-learn–start over.
Ainsley says
Sorry to hear about your bees! That would be discouraging, and I totally understand getting emotional. It’s hard not to care about something you’ve raised. Just had to add that I LOVE the names! Larkrise is one of my favourite shows 🙂
Autumn says
Like I was telling another online friend the other day- bees are still wild, so bees do as bees want to do! My grandfather had some problems with keeping a swarm in the hive earlier this summer- except, they drew out two deeps full of comb before they left! So, certainly, you aren’t the only one.
Tracey says
A big hug for you Ginny! I feel like crying too and I haven’t even met your bees.
I am so glad to hear that you aren’t giving up and I am looking forward to hearing
all about the new hive in the Spring,
Great last shot, but then every picture of Beatrix is wonderful,
nytesong says
I would be very upset too! I’m glad you are still forging ahead and I look forward to seeing how it goes.
Nadja says
I feel so sad for the loss of your hive, although I know that even experienced beekeepers have hives fail at times, and like most endeavors that rely on other creatures or weather, we can only control so many factors. I hope we will be able to get our first hive or two in the coming spring, but I am preparing myself for some trial and error.
Debbie says
This was such an interesting post as I know very little about bee keeping. So sorry that you have are experiencing this difficulty with your hives, but I love that you are going to try again next spring. Keep at it! I think I would probably be very emotional over a loss like this too.
meghann says
Yes—*experiences*. Not “failures.”
I’m sorry about your bees. I would be emotional, too. (I am also far too emotional for this work.) I’m hoping Lark Rise thrives and next year’s bees benefit from the experience you’ve gained this year. xo
Elizabeth Foss says
I’m far too emotional over *your* insects. I totally cried when I read this post. Jonny was so nonchalant over the swarm. Surely, though, this must really bum him out? Bums me out. Nicky is going to be bummed…Super cute picture of Beatrix, though;-)
Dawn says
I agree with Tonya….”experiences” not “failures”. It’s all about the words.
For what it’s worth, we’ve been beehaving (as my husband calls it) for 6 years now. We have lost some hives that we thought were strong and seen weak hives become super strong and swarm twice (and we managed to capture both swarms). What we have learned is that the bees know what is best. That is why my husband calls us “beehavers” rather than “beekeepers”. Our strongest hives are from queens that were raised by the bees. Our strongest hives are also hives that swarmed on their own rather than my husband dividing the hives when we suspect a swarm (spot a swarm cell). We sat back and patiently waited and watched. My husband goes in and checks the hives when he needs to for maintenance or to inspect for pests, but other than that, the bees are left to their own devices.
Keep going, don’t get discouraged. In my opinion it is a fascinating hobby. We can all learn a lot about life just by watching the bees.
Ginny says
It sounds like you guys “beehave” the way that we are aiming to 🙂 I am trying not to worry that we were too “hands off.” I definitely agree with you and Tonya–I don’t consider this a failure on our parts, I used the word failure because the hive failed. We are definitely gaining valuable experience!
karen says
That is a puzzlement. Well like you said next spring get more and try again! It seems like it was nothing that could be controlled so you have to let go. Fingers crossed your other hive thrives!
Tonya - Plain and Joyful Living says
Homesteading is really a series of learning experiences, not failures:)
Ginny says
Thanks Tonya! That’s why I added “of sorts” to the title. The colony did fail, but I don’t view it as a failure on our part, definitely a learning experience!
Lisa says
Good morning,
I am curious as to where you will be getting your new swarm of bees for the spring? We will also be first year beekepers this spring. We took a class last year and are planning on doing so again this winter. But ordering the bees seems to be top priority as we waited to long last year. Any suggestions would be so helpful. I do believe that we are not living to terrible far from one another so im sure that the company you use would also deliver here.
Be well,
Lisa Leisher
Ginny says
We may order from Wolf Creek apiary, but are also considering ordering from someone local to us who raises bees organically.
lisa says
I will check into Wolf Creek. I understand not wanting to be to private but if you would be ok sharing the organically raised bees and if you thought they would consider selling several hives you could email me personally with any information they may have. If not I really do understand. I can probably search to see what I can find out about them. Have a blessed day.
Be well,
Lisa
Kristen says
Okay, I am getting emotional and I don’t keep bees (and my husband is terrified of them after being attacked as a child after his brother tortured a hive/nest). It is difficult to see something you wanted end up that way. And bees, to me, represent how we want our lives to be. Harmonious, hard-working, some kind of utopia, in a way. I am glad, that whatever happens with your remaining colony, you are committed to trying again :).
Citysister says
I’m so sorry about the bees…many years from now you’ll be an expert at the whole bee thing and look back on this lesson.