Matt the Bee Keeper has been very excited in recent weeks…the original swarm of a few weeks ago didn’t settle at first, but they kept coming back (depleted in numbers) and eventually have settled in a new hive in the apiary. They have a queen and are laying eggs.
Meanwhile we have noticed scout bees on our balcony and another swarm hanging around the quinta. About 15 minutes ago they decided to go in one of the hives Matt has put on the balcony!
(Click on the photos to enlarge them).
Here come the swarm
Bees approaching their new home
Bees going in to their new home
Will they stay or will they go??? Hopefully as they have carefully chosen their new home over a few days then they will make it a permanent one…although Matt will move the hive into the apiary tonight as we don’t fancy bees on our balcony all the time.
hello do you have varoa in portugal generally,what colour are the bees ? I’m a refired english bee keeper
Hi Roberta
Yes unfortunately we have varroa, we treat the bees with ground sugar and all our hives have open mesh floors as part of our Integrate Pest Management programme.
The bees are European Black bees, Apis Mellifera Mellifera and as such are prone to European Foul Brood (EFB) around as well