The top photo shows the hives prepped for winter per Paul Kelly's instructions posted here on 29 October. The middle photo shows the reduced entrance in process of discovery; and the bottom photo shows the new top entrance, ditto. That top entrance is designed to allow moisture generated inside the hive to escape so the hive stays warmer, and/but at the moment the bees seem enthusiastic about this as an entrance/exit. Perhaps they're just assessing how much trouble this will be to guard.
Today, the YBeek was felled by an alien bug (i.e. not a honey bee), along with his mum. Get well soon!
So...the YBeek's dad and I winterized the hives.
RE weight of the hives, we found the red hive "heavy" in both boxes although lighter in the bottom box; the yellow hive judged 3/4 of that weight.
The front feeder rigged in the casserole pan with 1:1 sugar syrup with a bit of honey dribbled on top was enjoyed during the past couple of days; the inside feeders were almost completely disregarded for the past month. Rain during the night diluted the front feeder's contents, and I will soon go down to fix that.
RE beek clothing: The more successful (this time) rig for the person not wearing the bee suit was pants covered by overalls tucked into rubber boots, a long sleeved cotton shirt tucked in, and an Eddie Bauer windbreaker with the wrists clamped tight, the bottom string as tight as possible, zipped up, the hood up and closed tight as possible, and this was completely successful preventing entry to the lower 4/5ths. The bee hats worn over the hood were unsuccessful. The bee hood worn under the windbreaker on the third try was the most successful. I will soon buy another adult (supersize) bee suit.
NB for 2010: In 2009, those inside feeders have proven themselves useless, particularly with a fall formula sugar syrup, which crystalizes over the holes through which the bees are supposed to feed. Poor bees!
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