Advice needed please

[Pookiesbees]

I have just one colony, with a queen from 2010, marked and very easy to spot. Had a great first season, came through winter looking hardy and ready for Spring. Have been inspecting regularly for several weeks now and have noticed the amount of sealed brood is low (not even a frame full). Quite a bit of drone brood, and a few in the hive having emerged. Plenty of stores and pollen coming in well. Bees seem high in number and have a very low varroa drop rate (2 in one week). Just returned from inspecting; queen seen and looks fine for what that is worth. Small amount of sealed brood again, some drone sealed, and lots of workers. Is she a drone layer, and should I replace asap? Have waited to see if she picks up, as adviced by one of our trusty voices, but am beginning to think her time is up. Help!

 

[justme]

You haven't mentioned eggs at all. That may help get some answers?

 

[Pookiesbees]

Sorry, yes eggs are presented as are unsealed larvae and some sealed.

 

[drex]

Mine have completely gone off lay. I thought it might be the weather ( dry with minimal nectar), posted on here and a few agreed. I still have plenty of stores.

Today reading Clive de Bruyn, he says this can happen, even with plenty of stores. The queen needs a good flow coming in - can simulate with weak sugar syrup - just what I will do at my next look into the hives

 

[Poly Hive]

If the amount of drone brood is increasing then she is probably drying up and will need replacing.

If there is no nectar flow the queens will ease up on laying yes, but not increase the amount of drones, a separate matter.

PH

 

[Rosti]

You say plenty of workers and a little drone brood, so does not suggest a drone layer at this stage. May be flow related, what proportion of the combs are simply empty as opposed to containing brood or stores?

Given the expense and delay for you of re-queening from a purchased (external) source perhaps you should consider going up to a minimum 2 hives to give more investiagtion and recovery options in such a scenario. Single colony keeping can be a fragile existence.