both of my colonies may be queenless

[drstitson]

it may be warm for the time of year but inspecting fully will only serve to chill any brood that is there (remember many less bees to keep it warm) and lose precious heat from the hive as a whole - they just end up burning there way through stores quicker to rewarm the hive.

 

[taff..]

It may be warm but what can lifting frames out in November achieve?

the last 2 years has taught me that keeping to the traditional beekeeping calendar is not strictly necessary. for example, when many people were say treat with Apiguard NOW, it was possible to delay the treatment by 3 weeks or so, because it was plenty warm enough.


one thing it has achieved is that I now know that

1. hive 2, (the one that I was concerned about being low on stores) is now full and doesn't need any further feed.

2. both hives are broodless and I can crack on and do OA on a cool day when there are few flyers, if I wish, without having to wait untill there's snow on the ground and the bees are clustered tightly.

3. IF the queens are having a long broodless period over winter, then this will knock the Varroa, and I could consider not treating with OA at all

 

[mazzamazda]

Well as hm correctly corrected me there is a big difference between the north and the south. I have never had a swarm in April here. I see no point in aimlessly looking in hives with out clear objective. I hate seeing beekeepers bothering hives affecting their work. My uncle always said as soon as you go through the hive you have knocked off one day of hive progress just for a look. Not sure how true that is as he is a very old school pre 1930's beekeeper. Very against messing, moving, upsetting bees in any way. It works for him and works for me. Of you have a reason then fill your boots but I personally can't see any reason for making them upset at this time of year.

 

[Flatters]

Hi Taff
Personally I think the risks of an inspection far outweigh the benefits when there are safer alternatives.

From your original post the inspection has also made you concerned about two hives being queenless, probably unnecessarily, but what can you do about it now?

I prefer to leave them be from the end of September other than feed insulate, both non-intrusive operations.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Well as hm correctly corrected me there is a big difference between the north and the south. I have never had a swarm in April here.

I had one lot go on April 21st this year

 

[mazzamazda]

I had one lot go on April 21st this year

Were they overfed????

I haven't seen swarming up here earlier than end of May for 10+ years

Mark

 

[Erichalfbee]

Mark,
If we had had our normal late spring then no but spring sprung early,they still had some winter stores, forage was good and they exploded. I wasn't quick enough to spot the signs...(beginner) so I suppose they were overfed.
They went because they were short of room because they had filled brooding space with nectar.

Others from my BKA reported April swarms.

 

[mazzamazda]

Mark,
If we had had our normal late spring then no but spring sprung early,they still had some winter stores, forage was good and they exploded. I wasn't quick enough to spot the signs...(beginner) so I suppose they were overfed.
They went because they were short of room because they had filled brooding space with nectar.

Others from my BKA reported April swarms.

Not easy, I had the opposite but no better, Mine had sufficient stores, like yours exploded and ate all the stores, by end of May mine were seriously light with no forage. Strange year, have to say I'm more worried about varroa with late brooding.