Am I losing a colony

[Crazyhorse]

So I’ve had a sneak peak in my colony, I dummied down to 7 frames, introduced some celotex dummie boards and have been feeding fondant.
my worry is that there is not enough bees in there.. they’re slow moving, and through the visible crown board there’s about a qtr coverage. They’re not interested in fondant…

the other colony is thriving. Busy and running around rapidly.. any thoughts please?

 

[Erichalfbee]

They probably have enough stores in the brood box. There’s not much you can do till the weather warms up. I suppose you could roll out the fondant thinly and pop it straight on the top bars and quickly close up. How heavy do they seem? Compared to the other colony?

 

[Wilco]

Do you have insulation above the crown board? If not, put some on.

What varroa treatments have they had?

How many seams of bees are there?

 

[Patrick1]

Regardless of all the guessing it is impossible to tell what’s going on without looking at the bees.

No matter what you have been told, on the day the good hive is flying open the one you think has a problem and have a look, take a photo if you can, post on this site and someone will hopefully be able to suggest what’s wrong if you cannot see what it is for yourself. Good luck

 

[elainemary]

So I’ve had a sneak peak in my colony, I dummied down to 7 frames, introduced some celotex dummie boards and have been feeding fondant.
my worry is that there is not enough bees in there.. they’re slow moving, and through the visible crown board there’s about a qtr coverage. They’re not interested in fondant…

the other colony is thriving. Busy and running around rapidly.. any thoughts please?

I’ve had the odd colony that I thought was struggling only to find they were deep down inside the brood box and everything was fine in spring. Had one this winter that I was convinced were struggling and they’ve recently moved up and covering 7 frames. Clear crownboards are great! Also often colonies will be in a rugby ball shape so you could be seeing just a few seams at the top but the bulk of bees are below.
Sounds you’ve done everything you can re insulation and feed. Best to leave alone and observe the entrance on a warmer day

 

[oliver90owner]

Regardless of all the guessing it is impossible to tell what’s going on without looking at the bees.

No matter what you have been told, on the day the good hive is flying open the one you think has a problem and have a look, take a photo if you can, post on this site and someone will hopefully be able to suggest what’s wrong if you cannot see what it is for yourself. Good luck

And then what?

It is quite possible, from the lack of information that has been provided, that one hive might have flying bees while the other is in a colder place and quietly clustered.

Leave them alone, in peace, for as long as possible. Everyone needs more information before starting guessing (apart from the insulation suggestion, if it was needed).

 

[The Poot]

Put the varroa tray in for a couple of days and see if the debris can give you a clue. That won’t interfere with them but might help you understand what’s going on. Take a pic and post on here for opinions.
I wouldn‘t go digging into the boxes, it will only do harm and there’s nothing you can do to remedy a failing colony this time of year. Leave them alone and they will surprise you come Spring.

 

[Patrick1]

On a warm day when the bees are flying take a look. You could do something to save it. Of course is one is in Scotland and one in Kent you may want to take a view on it.
Don't get bogged down with the time of year, or the idea that you have to be able to go to the bees in shirt sleeves, its a foolish argument, my bees are definitely rearing brood that across sites that are 10 miles apart.

 

[Curly green finger's]

On a warm day when the bees are flying take a look. You could do something to save it. Of course is one is in Scotland and one in Kent you may want to take a view on it.
Don't get bogged down with the time of year, or the idea that you have to be able to go to the bees in shirt sleeves, its a foolish argument, my bees are definitely rearing brood that across sites that are 10 miles apart.

I have to agree with certain points here I have to inspect at Certian times when the weather isn't optimal most of my bees are on hills!! weather isn't favourable most of the time.
I would be interested to know what could be done to save it the colony if there is any problems??

 

[Boston Bees]

I have to agree with certain points here I have to inspect at Certian times when the weather isn't optimal most of my bees are on hills!! weather isn't favourable most of the time.
I would be interested to know what could be done to save it the colony if there is any problems??

I think that depend on the problems,

 

[Murox]

Might be an idea to wait and let @Crazyhorse respond with more information.

 

[Patrick1]

Its not so much about saving a dwindling colony, although if it is size issue and nothing else is wrong then a styrene nuc box may be helpful.

My concern would be a dwindling hive with a virus, as the hive gets smaller and the weather warmer you could inadvertently set up perfect robbing conditions then you would have two hives with viruses.
For sure you will not know without looking!

 

[Swarm]

OP says they are dummied to seven frames so they sound nicely tucked up for a small colony. If they had all they needed in Autumn, treatment, feeding etc, there really is no more you can do...... (IMO) and shouldn't need to.
If they won't or can't make it through Winter, then better off they fail? There has to be some element of survival of the fittest.

 

[Crazyhorse]

I’ve used Api strips for varroa treatment, had a few drops but nothing major and I’ve looked at the bees through the clear boards and no varroa visible at all. Also tried the bee scanner app.. and
I haven’t done a winter treatment, as I didn’t want to upset them any further.

the missus said they were flying the other day but I’m sure that was the busy hive..
I looked in the other week and there was no brood or space to lay?
I thought about getting a probe camera .. to have a look rather than rolling bees in the frames if they are packed in the bottom..

 

[Boston Bees]

I looked in the other week and there was no brood or space to lay?

So, what was there? This suggests every frame was 100% full of honey and pollen, which seems unlikely in Feb?

 

[Crazyhorse]

Nope, there’s a still some weight, I’ll have a check tomorrow it’s supposed to be mild…

 

[Moobee]

So I’ve had a sneak peak in my colony, I dummied down to 7 frames, introduced some celotex dummie boards and have been feeding fondant.
my worry is that there is not enough bees in there.. they’re slow moving, and through the visible crown board there’s about a qtr coverage. They’re not interested in fondant…

the other colony is thriving. Busy and running around rapidly.. any thoughts please?

If you only have one colony, you have nothing to compare it to and spend your first winter as a newbee endlessly worrying. At least I did!
I have three hives this year. Two are endlessly busy, out in all weathers and eating all the fondant. The other one is quietly and tightly clustered under the fondant and only appear on very sunny days when it’s above 12 degrees. They’ve also hardly touched the fondant compared to the other two.
All three are a similar weight so I’m not fretting.
Sounds like you may have some nice frugal bees.

 

[Crazyhorse]

Well today was a barmy warm day. And I’m pleased to say panic over!! Guessing they had all snuggled down in the box, because today both hives were flying and thriving!! Crafty little buggers these bees are!
Thanks all for the replies.