Colony Losses

[Do224]

Only you can answer that question.


Weather is weird and it's best to react to colony status and not the calendar. Not so long ago in London we had swarms out in January; Spring had begun in December and we were in shirt sleeves after Christmas.


Weather will be 9-10C in Carlisle leading into March and if they fly between now and then and bring in nectar, where will it go? Into the brood nest, diminishing laying space just when it's needed.

Next week I have to move a couple of DBB contract colonies off a construction site for a fortnight, and one is so heavy I'll have to go in, take out stores and give combs. Lot of ivy, I reckon, because they weren't fed.

Fair enough…so if I were to add a bb should it go above or below? Presumably it would need to have all drawn comb and no foundation at this time of year

Or could I just add qx and super? I have to say it feels very counterintuitive to be doing anything at all with them so I might leave them another month or so depending on the weather.

 

[Swarm]

A brood chamber is far more important early in the year, the queen needs access and the bees will keep any nectar close around the nest. Maybe consider a dummied brood with 6 - 8 combs centrally placed, extra combs can be added at a later date.
But do all this according to weather conditions and bee activity.

 

[Sutty]

Fair enough…so if I were to add a bb should it go above or below? Presumably it would need to have all drawn comb and no foundation at this time of year

Or could I just add qx and super? I have to say it feels very counterintuitive to be doing anything at all with them so I might leave them another month or so depending on the weather.

If you feel the need to add another brood chamber I'd put it underneath as the current nest will then be in the warmest spot, and bees naturally extend the nest downwards.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

to be honest, before long you will see a sudden and substantial drop in bee numbers as all the 'winter bees' work themselves to a standstill and drop dead, you will then see a hiatus as all the younger new bees take over nursing duties and more brood emerges to allow a progression to foraging and expansion. so I wouldn't indulge in panic yet
There's a big difference between planet London and the wild and wooly steppes of Cumbria