back from apiary...a double brood question

[Cuckmere couple]

i had a strong colony on double brood in a maisemore poly hive

i needed to remove the syrup feeder and tip the syrup out which i did. as its a feisty colony, i was expecting some interest as i removed the feeder.

anyway, nothing...top brood box full of stores with some going mouldy

no bees at all

started removing some frames and up they came

so, they must be clustered in bottom brood box. i was expecting them to have moved up in winter

does it tell me anything i need to worry about that theyre clustered in bottom bb?

 

[Ian123]

Sounds normal to me, they should move up as they consume stores. But they don’t read the books so may move to a warm side wall and may not even require all those full frames. Does not really sound like you have any issues though and realistically winters a long way from finished. Bees will consume far more stores when brood rearing kicks in.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

thanks Ian

and the touch of mold wont be a problem?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

you've obviously fed them moe than enough syrup - will save you putting fondant on.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

you've obviously fed them moe than enough syrup - will save you putting fondant on.

cheers....they were a large colony so erred on side of caution

give me a chance to replace some frames from below providing any slight mold will be sorted by them

 

[drex]

Do you have monitoring board in? If so, take it out to improve ventilation. They have plenty of stores overhead and will move up as they consume them. Mine clean up a bit of mould with no bother. No worries.

 

[Ian123]

cheers....they were a large colony so erred on side of caution

give me a chance to replace some frames from below providing any slight mold will be sorted by them

By mould I guess you mean a light bloom looks like a coat of white on wax yes that’s common and easily dealt with. Most off my double broods get broken down into a single box late season. Those that remain are normally broken down into a single box on first inspection no point in letting them rattle around if space is not required.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

thanks Ian and Drex

yes, thats what i will do then...wanted to be able to remove some older frames when i do that too and yes a grey mould over the wax cappings