bees not flying

[Mbee]

So 2nd year of beekeeping and details from my course are a little fuzzy so I have a question for the more experienced.

My bees do not seem to have woken up to the fact that the sun is out and it is quite warm (fluctuating between 11-15 degrees over the last week and a half). Very little flying action from either hive.

I checked them yesterday and they have got pollen and are starting to build stores. Each hive has about 2 frames of capped/uncapped worker brood and look reasonably healthy- only one or two drone cells

They have a spring feed on.

should I be worried? Is there anything else I ought to look at? Thanks for advice

 

[oliver90owner]

are starting to build stores.

They have a spring feed on.

Do they need the latter if the former is correct?

Look for laying space? Empty space in the hive?

They are slow and could have been very weak coming out of winter, but can't tell from here. At least they have survived OK.

 

[enrico]

The wind is still cold..... Mine have barely flown properly for five days this year, build up is SO slow! I am in my 30th year but still don't have all the answers. I would remove the food and let them get on with it now! Next time you go in just make sure their wings are not all chewed and deformed! Other than that...... Good luck
E

 

[Finman]

.
2 frames brood..... Quite small colonies but becoming better

have you mesh floors open? - shut them

That size colony needs only 3cm x 1cm entrance.
Propably bees cover 5 frames and it needs dummy board too.

.

 

[Mbee]

Thanks Enrico - wings all look fine.thanks:

very low varroa count in autumn - I guess the girls are just pacing themselves

 

[Arfermo]

Thanks Enrico - wings all look fine.thanks:

very low varroa count in autumn - I guess the girls are just pacing themselves

Does that mean you didn't do a winter oxalic treatment for varroa? Suggest you check the drop and then get some MAQS's (or whatever they are) as they don't injure the brood so they say, nor do they affect the honey should you wish to take any.

 

[Mbee]

I did - used Beevital hive clean. It was excellent

 

[MattC]

Walking back from work in previous years and the cherry trees have been humming with bees- bumble and honey. Same stage of blossom this year, and it's hard to see (or hear) even one or two.

 

[Mbee]

amazing what 3 days of consistent sunshine will do - all out and about looking really busy

 

[enrico]

Good! Trust in them........they know the weather better than the BBC !!!!