03/08/2026
It finally feels and looks like spring πΌ
However, we're not out of the woods yet. There's probably more snow βοΈ to come.
Here's a little update on our winter and hive count π At the end of summer we had 13 hives, some were stronger than others but everyone had plenty of honey. After treating the bees this fall we lost two of the weaker hives, putting us at 11.
Then around Thanksgiving π¦ a black bear π» took out one of the hives, bringing us down to 10. They busted thru the fence, electric fence, and the ratchet strap holding the hive to the stand (she was one very determined bear).
At the end of January we lost 2 hives, we haven't inspected/investigated their cause of death yet but that brought us down to 8 hives. Most likely a moisture issue.
By mid February we lost another. So, currently we have 7 hives π this was definitely the toughest and roughest winter we have experienced in a long time. Fingers crossed that the rest of "winter" is kind to the 7 remaining hives.