Tag Archives: Honey

Yellow Jackets & honey reuse

My 2nd year hive yielded nearly 3 supers of honey (65#). No honey was harvested from the 1st year hive. Both were moved to my home after the property they were on was sold. Both hives were active for about 1 month then it was apparent that a very large yellow jacket nest was located across the road in my neighbor’s tree (an 18″ bag). The yellow jackets had invaded both nests and all honey bees were dead. I have started one new hive this spring with 3# of bees w/queen. They are very active and I have been supplementing with sugar water. Their upper box was left intact with 6 of the 10 frames full of last year’s honey.
RESPONSE – There are many other critters, certainly Yellow jackets that want to use the resources of a honey bee hive. Sounds like you were able to get some yourself. WELL DONE. First year colonies are not normally able to supply us with surplus. Trust restarted colony goes well this year.

2015 Survey Q & A – Bee Disappearance

Q-In May of 2014 a strong overwintered hive vacated leaving honey and pollen behind.

A– Thanks for sending a survey and comment. You may recall that we had an unusual group of bee losses in late spring – about the time you lost your bees last year. I don’t know if your loss was related or not but the timing is curious. I will have a report of this unusual loss in upcoming bee journal article.