Different levels of activity

[Darryl]

I have two hives approx 3m apart. The 5 frame nucs were bought a couple of weeks apart from two different suppliers. Both hives started off as very busy with BIAS and plenty of forage when available. Over the last week or so one hive seems to have almost shut down with very limited foraging whilst the other are out from dawn to dusk. The busy one has drawn comb on several empty frames whilst the quiet one is still on the original 5 frames. The quiet bees are plentiful and lively when inspected and brood and stores are present. No signifcant sign of varroa although I am looking for a suitable shaker to do a sugar roll on each colony.
Am I missing something or is it normal for one colony to be working like mad whilst the other is seemingly taking time off?

 

[user 819]

Genetics and bee type can contrast, some will continue to forage others don't. Queen laying amongst AM types also vary if weather changes.

For a sugar roll tester the Lyson one from Abelo.

 

[Darryl]

Thanks. Mini panic over.

 

[drex]

It does vary from hive to hive. Good idea to test for varroa and to look for any signs of deformed wing virus. Might also be worth getting a microscopist from your local BKA to test for Nosema, if you are that worried

 

[Darryl]

It does vary from hive to hive. Good idea to test for varroa and to look for any signs of deformed wing virus. Might also be worth getting a microscopist from your local BKA to test for Nosema, if you are that worried

Sugar roll planned for next week although no deformed wings spotted. I'll look further into nosema. Thanks.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Sugar roll planned for next week although no deformed wings spotted. I'll look further into nosema. Thanks.

This is Randy Oliver’s Quick Squash method which is easier than grinding up bees abdomens.
https://scientificbeekeeping.com/sick-bees-part-16-the-quick-squash-method/

 

[user 20297]

This is Randy Oliver’s Quick Squash method which is easier than grinding up bees abdomens.
https://scientificbeekeeping.com/sick-bees-part-16-the-quick-squash-method/

Wow...some people really do have a lot of time on their hands......it was all I could afford to nearly read the article it to the end

 

[Darryl]

This is Randy Oliver’s Quick Squash method which is easier than grinding up bees abdomens.
https://scientificbeekeeping.com/sick-bees-part-16-the-quick-squash-method/

Wow! A bit too scientific for my level of newbiness. Hopefully I can grasp more techniques as my experience grows.
Good to know that there is something which can be done in the event of nosema appearing in my hives.

 

[Erichalfbee]

It’s easy
Ten bees. Hold each by head and squeeze guts out into microscope slide with a knife. You can get 5 bees on a slide. Place a coverslip one each bee.

Practical application: I henceforth plan to use the term “prevalence” as the measure of the proportion of bees infected by nosema. For example, if 2 bees out of 10 were infected, that would be a prevalence of 20%.

10% is tolerable.

 

[Darryl]

It’s easy
Ten bees. Hold each by head and squeeze guts out into microscope slide with a knife. You can get 5 bees on a slide. Place a coverslip one each bee.

Practical application: I henceforth plan to use the term “prevalence” as the measure of the proportion of bees infected by nosema. For example, if 2 bees out of 10 were infected, that would be a prevalence of 20%.

10% is tolerable.

Thanks. I'll borrow a microscope and give it a go.