Current spring plan

[Newbeebeekeeper]

So currently i have 2 identical wooden national hives as well as a second hand national hive but only one has a set of bees in it.

I also have a poly nuc that i bought last year and in hindsight should have wintered the bees in.

I also have 2 bait nucs that i made myself to try and catch a swarm.

The current plan is to put out the bait hives with a lure and some old comb in it in about a months time.

And i am considering changing my hive into the poly nuc the first suitable day i get to help them to build up quicker. I also seen a 2/3 frame hive which i had considered making to try and build a nuc up slowly. By the end of the year i hope to have 2 hives of bees and hopefully a nuc as well going into the winter and all being well some honey.

Any advice on any of this

 

[Millet]

Just wondering but why do you want to change your hive into a poly nuc..if they where in a poly hive this would not need doing..more faff than it is worth IMO ..lets say you put them in the Nuc soon..and once they have supposedly built up to your expectations you then move them again into a full size box..it does not seem practical to me but hey ho here we go..good luck by the way...

 

[Newbeebeekeeper]

It will depend on how well they have over wintered and how many bees on frames etc. If they come out strong then there is less need. If however they are not doing so well then i felt that it would help them grow in numbers faster

 

[blackcloud]

As another newb,I'm wondering if there is the use for dummy frames in the full size box then remove them gradually as the colony expands?

 

[madasafish]

As another newb,I'm wondering if there is the use for dummy frames in the full size box then remove them gradually as the colony expands?

That is what I do : If the colony is weak...
BUT with rapid spring build up you MUST check weekly.

 

[Poly Hive]

Make some insulated dummy frames and use them to help keep the colony cosy and of course a good thick bit of insulation on top of the crown board.

Warmth is the trick.

PH

 

[For want of a better word]

As another newb,I'm wondering if there is the use for dummy frames in the full size box then remove them gradually as the colony expands?

If the colony comes out of winter that week... put them in a polly nuc and feed... feed... feed... even splash out on some Candipol with added pollen/snake oil/ essential amino acids etc etc....... once on 6 frames... put them in a full sized box!

Your bees... do as you think best

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

Make some insulated dummy frames and use them to help keep the colony cosy and of course a good thick bit of insulation on top of the crown board.

PH

Whats a good way of making decent dummy boards either side? If you already have plenty of full comb frames and the cluster is staying in the middle of the box don't those frames give you the "natural" insulation they need? Or do combs attract potential "un-clustering" where as of course dummy boards self limit the small colony?

 

[Eyeman]

Use some kingspan/cellotex 100m insulation and protect the exposed surfaces with aluminium tape. Each dummy replaces 3 Hoffman frames.

 

[blackcloud]

Your bees... do as you think best

While I'm genuinely grateful for any advice, surely
that's the whole point of the initial post -placed in the beginners section no less!!!
As beginners we DON'T know what's best,therefore we ask.

 

[coffindodger]

Use some kingspan/cellotex 100m insulation and protect the exposed surfaces with aluminium tape. Each dummy replaces 3 Hoffman frames.
View attachment 16633

View attachment 16634

Nice, useful advice and great photos

 

[Newbeebeekeeper]

Some very helpful posts thanks.

With only having one hive the stakes are that bit higher

 

[Millet]

Make a Celotex cosy and stick that over the wooden hive it will help them a lot as far as keeping themselves warm.. ... i use to have them on my wooden hives through winter but i am now converted to poly so i do not have them any more..

 

[blackcloud]

Stakes are higher?
Tell me about it!!!

 

[blackcloud]

So you are doing this with the box underneath as well?
Or is that the entire colony in the picture?