Well, unfortunately the bees didn’t survive the winter… kinda sad news for anyone who’s been following the first year of Jon’s top bar beehive project, but it’s also been a great learning experience. The comments coming in on YouTube from viewers are really helpful for next year’s modifications and for the new beehive build that’s in the works. Here’s the latest video and some pictures below that. Please continue to share your comments and suggestions…they’re really helpful and contributors have provided great links to other sites and channels specializing in beekeeping. Here’s a great vlog we learned a lot from…thanks Bill: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBeeVlog
Here are some pictures Jon took of the hive once he realized that the bees didn’t make it through the winter. Based on the many comments, it seems like moisture in the hive may have been a big factor. There was definitely a ton of food for them to eat all winter, so that doesn’t seem to be the issue.
Opening the hive after the long cold winter.
Cleaning the hive of all the dead bees.
What the bees looked like up close.
Here’s a link to the playlist of the entire top bar beehive project and through its first year. Enjoy, and please continue to share your suggestions to make this year’s beekeeping project even more successful. Jon will be building a modified hive in the next few weeks so stay tuned. – Peder Hagberg, Editor
