264. The bees have started flying . . .

A week is a long time in the garden . . . the snow has gone and we are sorting out the mess. The week has been warm and dry which is good for everything and everyone. Including the bees.

They have started flying. The National hive has been especially busy and pollen is starting to be gathered which suggests that not only that there is a Queen but also that she has started laying.

The situation with the WBC is less clear but definitely less good. One problem was that bees were escaping from the hive into the space between the hive and the external wooden shell but not able to get out further (they were attracted by the light from the vent holes not sensible enough to return the way they had come). So we found perhaps 500 dead bees. This is now sorted.

Another problem is varroa - possibly. This is a crab-like mite (1mm by 1.6mm) that can destroy a colony in 2-3 years. We treated for varroa in September but the catch-trays under the hives are full of detritus.

Photos show a catch-tray and perhaps convey the difficulty of trying to ascertain what might be varroa as opposed to pollen balls, propolis, pieces of comb or fondant and whatever else the bees have dislodged or dropped. Hairbrushes, coins, the odd toupe.

No sign of pollen going into the WBC either which suggests that there is no Queen.

Will keep you posted.

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