bees in super not brood box

[robsbees]

we have 2 colonies, one is doing well so no problems there

the second hive has the older queen (2 years), it was doing well, nice and strong but then has halved in size. The whole colony including the queen has moved out of the brood box into the super.

Question is - should we remove the brood box and just keep them in the super and feed them candy (which we have started doing)

or leave them with the brood box in situ and feed them on top of the super?

thanks

 

[tonybloke]

it seems you are running a 'brood and a half' arrangement, if so, there will be NO Queen Excluder in place? just leave the bees to it(with both boxes)

feeding? have you assessed stores?

 

[Cazza]

Tonybloke gives wise advice.
The issue is: do they need any feed at all? If you have assessed stores and they are light then fondant will be required. If they have been fed and have enough, then I would leave them alone.

If you end up in this situation again, it is better to have the super on the bottom at this time of year so that you can take it away all clean and tidy in the Spring when it is empty and has no brood in it.

QE removed should be a sine que non.

Cazza

 

[tonybloke]

cheers for the compliment, cazza

 

[Finman]

.
No problem. I keep 2-langstroth brood system and most clusters are in upper boxes at the beginning of winter.
Often cluster reaches from entrance to upper entrance hole and it is against the front wall. Perhaps idea is quard visitors.

Bees do not have learned basic lessons about beekeeping. Shame.
'
'.

 

[Cazza]

cheers for the compliment, cazza

Thank you TB.
This forum would be a nicer place if compliments were more readily given.I am feeling particularly bountiful today in order to combat the feeling that winter has arrived.
Cazza

 

[Erichalfbee]

Thank you TB.
I am feeling particularly bountiful today in order to combat the feeling that winter has arrived.
Cazza

First frost here overnight

 

[robsbees]

thanks for all the comments,

we were on just single brood but had removed the QE when we put our apiguard on

both hives were light on stores, its been a very poor year here, very wet so not much honey at all we havent been able to take any off

we'll just leave well alone

we're fully expecting to lose the small colony but want to give it every chance of survival

 

[tonybloke]

thanks for all the comments,

we were on just single brood but had removed the QE when we put our apiguard on

both hives were light on stores, its been a very poor year here, very wet so not much honey at all we havent been able to take any off

we'll just leave well alone

we're fully expecting to lose the small colony but want to give it every chance of survival

best thing you could do for the bees is to add insulation above the crownboard (under the roof) if your hives have open mesh floors.
regards, Tony

 

[enrico]

There is no reason why the small colony should not survive. Put a good block of fondant on top of a QE on top of the brood box/super which is on top of the remaining brood box/super. The bees will live on the fondant if there is not enough stores. As long as there is a queen she will lay gently when necessary and start to get going again in next spring. Size doesn't matter (contrary to popular belief) as long as the basics are there! Queen, and food. Believe that they want to survive and they probably will. Ok they may suffer in a cold winter but who knows.... It is worth a punt!
E

 

[richardbees]

As Enrico says, no need to lose them - put a layer of fondant pressed into a QE on top of the bb. The 12.5 k slabs sold by bako, sliced lengthwise, fit a treat.

Here's their nearest depot to you:

http://www.bakoscotland.co.uk/

edited to add that it's a Durham address!

 

[robsbees]

thanks for that, nice and local to us