Wednesday, April 14, 2010

speechless

I opened up the beehive this morning to check on the new residents. It's been a week since they arrived and I was going to have a quick look to make sure the queen was released and all was well. Imagine my surprise when I took the lid off and found NO BEES. They're just...gone. I don't understand. I thought that swarming wasn't normal for a brand new (very small) colony needing to build up its numbers. Swarming is usually an overcrowding response. Given that they were only at maybe 1/5th of their ideal population and in a brand new home, I can't imagine why they just up and left.

I've had a lot of disappointments, frustrations and mishaps out here over the last couple of years, but this is the first time I really feel like crying.

9 comments:

  1. That must feel terrible - left there stunned and speechless. That's a crummy way to start the day. Sorry.

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  2. Oh no, Tara! What a major disappointment! Did you contact the supplier to find out if they have any clues or can offer any help?

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  3. Awe... Tara, I am so sorry to hear that. That just stinks... maybe next time. I can imagine your frustration, Dont give up! ;)

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  4. I've talked to a couple of local beekeepers I know, as well as the supplier. Everyone is dumbfounded. Theories abound. Now I'm just trying to figure out what I need to do, and if I even still have time left this season to do anything, or if I have to wait another year.

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  5. Oh no! That is so sad! I have a friend getting her first two shipments of bees in two weeks, but I don't know how long shipping takes. I guess they can't overnight bees, huh? So sorry!

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  6. So sorry to hear about the absconding bees! Just a week ago, I received my first ever shipment of bees. So far they're still here and appear to be okay. I'll probably wait until Sunday to have a little peek. Never thought I'd be this concerned about the welfare of bees!

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  7. Kate, over at Living the Frugal Life just had a new colony disappear too. Sounds like a mystery. So glad you have local resources, that's a help.

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  8. Leigh beat me to it . . . was going to send you the same link!

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