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Maybe they just get caught up in all the excitement? 😊

2 artificial swarms, one mating nuc created and 2 sealed (supercedure) queen cells harvested and added to the nuc in roller cages. A busy day... 🤞

I guess she's not a member of the forum? 😏

40x. On my phone I can enlarge the picture for a better view? Sorry although there's a lot of "stuff" on the slide, when I compare it with images of nosema spores I'm not sure. Is this one any better?

Update: this is the outcome of the nosema test. At the risk of looking a complete *****... can someone with microscopy experience tell me if this is nosema ceranae please? 🤔

I found very similar yesterday, except all this was on the back of the hive, very little on the front and nothing inside on the frames. I now have a little sample of bees chilling in the freezer to test for nosema. A horrible process, I have to say, but worth knowing for sure. My hive...

I second that. And now wash routinely rather than single use

I would really recommend getting in touch with your local beekeeping association. Most have a branch apiary and you can get valuable experience in joining activities there. They will also probably run a beginners course, or be able to our you in touch with someone who does. Of course covid...

I have a few colonies with sealed done brood so my optimistic calculation is that by the time a new queen is ready to mate there should be drones around... 🤞

Thanks barbarian, the bees were very calm, not running around, but they were very "hummy" so slightly mixed messages (or more likely lack of comprehension I'm my part). I've taken BigAshW's advice on a 'nothing to lose' basis, adding a frame of mostly sealed brood but with eggs and young...

I'm certainly no expert, but as your other colony is sounding pretty strong I would take a frame of mostly sealed brood and give to the weak one. That will give them a boost of emerging nurse bees to look after brood, if they're low on stores I'd feed them too (fondant if you have it, if not...

Excuses? You mean you tell her?? Maybe I'm lucky that I'm working from home while he who must be obeyed is out at work ask day so any packages are unpacked and the contents stashed with the other bee paraphernalia before he can notice 😂. That way I can raise an eyebrow at his golf purchases...

I've just done my first inspection, and I have a colony with no brood or eggs. It was a swarm which came in last summer so I have no idea of the history, age of the queen etc but they were a large (and slightly defensive) colony at the end of last season. I didn't see the queen today, there...

In addition to all the great advice you've already had, I would add find your local beekeeping association and sign up to a beginners course and spend some time getting "hands on" at the branch apiary (when permitted). I can't overstate the value of the contacts and experience you will gain...

Let me know how that goes! 😂😂

Even better 😊

I bought 10 supers in the last sale. Only 4 were usable, the rest had to be replaced. Awful quality, for my money thornes if worth the slightly higher cost.

Thanks everyone for the replies and great advice, hopefully they will survive until spring in the greenhouse (they are in a poly nuc), protected from the worst of the cold and damp, and I will plan to re- queen then. I am very interested to see what happens...

Yes, the queen's still laying and the brood seems to be developing OK so maybe they will get through the winter OK and can still be saved

I just read out your post to my hubby but apparently the idea of bees in the bedroom crosses the line 😂😂