Autumn food consumpion in cluster

[Finman]

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A Finnish keeper has an hive an balance.
In September it is diffucult to say, what is happening in the hive.

The hive is propably normal one box wintering hive.



In 1st October - 20 November the consumption has been 1,5 kg. = 50 days.

It is 300g/10 days and about 1,0 kg/month.

Rains and drying up seems to disturb accurate measuring.

During that time weathers here have been like English winter, 0- +10C.

This figure http://koti.tnnet.fi/web144/vaakapesa/selaa2.php?vuosi=2014&kunta=71

- first feeding syrup doses and bees dry up the syrup
- but there is too honey dew flow into the hive
- after feeding honey dew continues
- very propably the hive has brood in September.

 

[beeno]

Hi Finman,
I can confirm that my nuc and one of my hives have brood as they both have thrown out a couple of white bodies at the purple eye stage.

 

[Finman]

Hi Finman,
I can confirm that my nuc and one of my hives have brood as they both have thrown out a couple of white bodies at the purple eye stage.

OK. Alternatives:

a) the hive cleans the rest of brood out from combs ---> going to winter rest mode
b) varroa has violated the brood and bees have drawn out

 

[Rosie gill]

OK. Alternatives:

a) the hive cleans the rest of brood out from combs ---> going to winter rest mode
b) varroa has violated the brood and bees have drawn out

what does "varroa has violated the brood and bees have drawn out" mean please. I had lots of white bodies thrown out in September but no varroa drop?
Thanks
Rosie

 

[Dishmop]

Finman..
what months are your "summer" when your bees fly?

 

[Finman]

what does "varroa has violated the brood and bees have drawn out" mean please. I had lots of white bodies thrown out in September but no varroa drop?
Thanks
Rosie

When varroa amount is bad, it kills lots of brood, even so that no alive bees come out from cells. This sisuation can be seen as a heap of dead pupae on floor and in front on entrance. Larvae are then still ok.

.

 

[Finman]

Finman..
what months are your "summer" when your bees fly?

Our willows start to bloom first of May and nature's blooming stops practically 10th August.

In October flying is rare. Only cleansing flight and picking drinking water.
Most of snow have melted away 15.4.

Bees are tolally inside hives from 15.10 - 10.3.

Summer months are June, July and August. First killing frost arrives about in the middle of September.