Check Your Stores

[Erichalfbee]

I went through my colonies today and one of them had zero stores.....flying on vapour. Their super, full a couple of weeks ago, was bone dry and only a few cells of nectar dotted about the brood box.
They got a few frames of honey from their neighbour.
Not all areas are in a dearth but some are so please look in if you are. Some colonies will be starving.

Likely there will be an NBU warning to this effect in a few weeks

 

[Woodland bees]

I've been keeping an eye on my colonies, especially the nucs, as not much has been coming in for a few weeks now. Yesterday they did seem to be going somewhere with far more purpose so hopefully they've found something.

I was wondering about the NBU as I would have expected a warning by now but not received anything.

 

[Erichalfbee]

There will be a warning when everybody has already worked it out for themselves.

 

[E&MBees]

Checked mine today, I think I’m very fortunate. The bees are loading up the super and there is also plenty surrounding the brood. Having said that, they were very defensive of their stores today when I checked. Something to monitor.

What is the best course of action if stores dwindle? Feeding will mix syrup with honey, which I don’t want.

Thanks,
Emily

 

[Erichalfbee]

If they’ve got honey they don’t need syrup

 

[E&MBees]

If they’ve got honey they don’t need syrup

I was thinking ahead, if stores dwindle like yours have. I don’t have any spares to borrow from another hive.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Clear the super and give the bees just enough to keep them ticking over. Or plan ahead and store a few super frames.

 

[E&MBees]

Clear the super and give the bees just enough to keep them ticking over. Or plan ahead and store a few super frames.

Ok. Thanks.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I think the gap was a brief hiatus here - checked the bees at the range this morning, they're all bouncing happily along but with zero stores on most, however fresh stuff was coming in this morning - quite a bit of netar in one particular hive.
It was weird - putting a frame of saved up stores on one colony then, before closing up giving them another super as the hive is bursting with bees.
Noticed quite a few bramble flowers open.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Yes I have one like that. Brood wall to wall but nothing in super so pinched a few frames from somebody else

 

[Poly Hive]

Bees here are on a nice little flow. When I set up the cell starter this afternoon they were not fussed at all.

Everyone checks for stores every inspection surely? *grin*

PH