bees flying could this spell disaster

[Chorlton Honey Bees]

With the weather being pleasant and my bees out flying last seen today (2 hives single brood) would the queen still laying to replace lost bees out and about or come spring will the numbers cause them to struggle.
also has anyone oxalic treated as i think it would bad to do this until they cluster for at least a few weeks.
Your thought or am i getting my thinking wrong ?????????

 

[Polyanwood]

Generally it seems fewer bees die when the Winter is shorter or warmer than average. If they are bringing in pollen and they have plenty of stores that is good news. If they are going out to relieve themselves it is probably good news too. I passed some of my bees when I was walking the dog today and saw that a few were flying, bringing in pollen even though it was only 10C and drizzling. I was happy. Now the shortest day is passed the queens will start laying again and it is a good thing if the hives have plenty of and a mix of pollen.

 

[REDWOOD]

There will probably be brood all year but the combination of short days and low temperatures will have the leased amount, we have one factor at the moment and I will be waiting for the second which will probably be the first week of January

 

[Rich0909]

Pretty average UK early winter weather, I wouldn't worry too much. As I understand it whilst you would ideally oxalic around 3 weeks after a cold spell it needs to be done in the next 2-3 weeks, once daylight length starts to increase bees will start to increase brood production whatever the outside temperature and oxalic will be less effective.

Rich

 

[Hivemaker.]

As I understand it whilst you would ideally oxalic around 3 weeks after a cold spell it needs to be done in the next 2-3 weeks, once daylight length starts to increase bees will start to increase brood production whatever the outside temperature and oxalic will be less effective.

Or treat three times, five to seven days apart, if you really need to treat at all that is.

 

[dpearce4]

Or treat three times, five to seven days apart.

Only vaporisation though not dribble for this method as it will do the bees more harm if i'm right HM?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Only vaporisation though not dribble for this method as it will do the bees more harm if i'm right HM?

Yes Doug, was just avoiding that debate, as many seem to have the notion that trickling does no harm to the bees.

 

[Finman]

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Best time to dribble oxalic syrup in UK is December. After that colonies start to make some brood and mites can hidden inside cappings.

If they have brood over winter, they have. You cannot help it . But trickling does not make any harm in this situation.

Brooding before new year does not depend on warm or cold spells.



***Oxalic syrup trickling has been used now 15 years. It is the best treating method which ever invented.
All researches say that trickling does not affect on spring build up.

Advices, how to use it, are very simple. And procedure takes 30 seconds.

If the mite contamination is too far, trickling cannot save you colony. Mite violation happens before autumn when bees rear their winter bees.

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Many beeks are more afraid of oxalic acid than of mites. They should stop carrot eating at once.

 

[farbee]

Yes Doug, was just avoiding that debate, as many seem to have the notion that trickling does no harm to the bees.

Hivemaker,
I take it then that your experience is that oxalic acid does harm the bees. Could you elaborate further please?

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

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They should stop carrot eating at once.

Season's Greetings, Finski. Good to have you here.

 

[Arfermo]

Yes Doug, was just avoiding that debate, as many seem to have the notion that trickling does no harm to the bees.

Hivemaker,
I take it then that your experience is that oxalic acid does harm the bees. Could you elaborate further please?

I suspect Hivemaker will confirm that, whilst trickling leaves a crystalline residue on the bees, sublimation does not and is a kinder method of treatment too. The build up of the crystalline residue from trickling is the harmful element of using oxalic as it largely remains on the live bees until it dies or rain liquidises it so that other bees can groom it off, etc. Otherwise oxalic is virtually harmless except to larvae. Unfortunately there are too many scaremongers about re sublimation though when used with due care it is no worse than trickling.

 

[farbee]

I suspect Hivemaker will confirm that, whilst trickling leaves a crystalline residue on the bees, sublimation does not and is a kinder method of treatment too. The build up of the crystalline residue from trickling is the harmful element of using oxalic as it largely remains on the live bees until it dies or rain liquidises it so that other bees can groom it off, etc. Otherwise oxalic is virtually harmless except to larvae. Unfortunately there are too many scaremongers about re sublimation though when used with due care it is no worse than trickling.

Thanks.
The sublimation does not worry me but it just the expense of another piece of equipment. Will have to stick to trickle method for time being.