We have 11 colonies in 3 different apiaries. This year they just seem to be ticking over with no real expansion. The queens are all either 2021 or this year’s, and every colony seems to be building supercedure cells which they cap and never hatch. They are bringing some nectar back, but not storing in the brood box at all. Colony expansion tended to take place early in the season but now it is at a standstill with some of the queens seeming to be taken off lay. I live in the south west and the bramble is in full flower now so I don’t think that lack of forage is the problem. Any suggestions as to what is going on will be welcome?
Colonies just ticking over
- Thread starter user 3509
- Start date
Help Support Beekeeping & Apiculture Forum:
4degreesWest
New Bee
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2022
- Messages
- 47
- Reaction score
- 11
- Number of Hives
- 5
I was thinking exactly the same thing when I looked in mine. I’m a beginner so only have last year to compare to, and I only have the one colony now increased to three. All three seem to be just ticking over and not filling the supers up as I had hoped.
I’m in North Wales by the way. Coastal area not unlike Plymouth but probably not as sunny!
I’m in North Wales by the way. Coastal area not unlike Plymouth but probably not as sunny!
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2011
- Messages
- 36,067
- Reaction score
- 15,955
- Location
- Glanaman,Carmarthenshire,Wales
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- Too many - but not nearly enough
but with less inbreeding
With all the second homes here I think there is very little risk of inbreeding!!!but with less inbreeding
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2009
- Messages
- 3,891
- Reaction score
- 1,597
- Location
- Devon/South Hams
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 5
Mine are all doing much the same. She lays for a while then stops. Bring food in the eat it. Much akin to the weather pattern. Nosema excluded. Was unlikely as all colonies much the same
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2011
- Messages
- 36,067
- Reaction score
- 15,955
- Location
- Glanaman,Carmarthenshire,Wales
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- Too many - but not nearly enough
we tried our bestI would suggest that with all the seamen there is even less chance of inbreeding
I bet your statement got the spellcheck fairies in a quandary though
Wingy
Field Bee
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2017
- Messages
- 753
- Reaction score
- 134
- Location
- Wigan, Lancashire
- Hive Type
- Langstroth
- Number of Hives
- 21
Same here, Manchester / Lancashire border & they just want to swarm and supercedure got about 150lb or honey from 3 OSR sites but nothing from my other 2 sites & now having to feed the 3 sites as OSR coming to an end
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2010
- Messages
- 11,232
- Reaction score
- 2,884
- Location
- Stoke on Trent
- Hive Type
- Langstroth
- Number of Hives
- 6 to 8 Langstroth jumbos, a few Langstroth and National nucs.
Most of my Qs are not laying. Some supercedures.
Having to feed this year's nucs.
Two hives with 4/5 supers on : busy eating honey so extracted half.
Similar story at Allotment/Association apiaries
Weather .
I blame Climate Change Activists: bees were expecting heat and did not get it so on strike. Queen Bee told me she's getting tired of broken promises and lies.
Having to feed this year's nucs.
Two hives with 4/5 supers on : busy eating honey so extracted half.
Similar story at Allotment/Association apiaries
Weather .
I blame Climate Change Activists: bees were expecting heat and did not get it so on strike. Queen Bee told me she's getting tired of broken promises and lies.
None of mine have stopped laying but it has been slow the last couple of weeks. This morning I’ve had to thin some nectar bound frames from nucs and there’s nectar falling out the frames. There’s the start of a decent flow…….SORRY
