Feeding and Hive Manipulations

[Nick Sonic]

Hi all, I've been feeding my hive with a frame feeder which I fill when doing hive manipulations. I'd rather not disturb the bees if I don't need to - yesterday they seemed to get quite defensive as I checked through the hive - so (and this may be a daft question) have we reached the time of year where looking for queen cells and checking frames can stop?

 

[Vortex]

Personally, I stop doing detailed (i.e. frame by frame) inspections in late July/ early August as even the quietest bee can get a little ansi when the flow stops. Also by that point QC are not likely to be swarm cells but superceedure cells, in which case the bees proably know best and depending on your personal perspective should just be left to get on with it.
After Mid August I only worry about those conlonies I know to be weak or I have issues with. I also, due to time constraints, don't take my honey off until August bank holiday, and and therefore don't start my varroa treatment till then. This means that I'm still visiting the bees and opening the colonies till mid/late September so, assuming I know what I'm doing, can spot potential problems.
Not using frame feeders, either using a rapid feeder or miller feeder, does make life slightly easier when feeding if they're ansi, but in the case of the latter taking the feeder off if you replace the crownboard with the feeder can be interesting.

At the end of the day, the point at which you stop doing detailed inspections is your own decision. I and others can only offer perspectives.

 

[Nick Sonic]

Thanks, perspectives are what I'm after. It's interesting know what others do

 

[enrico]

It is something you have to judge for yourself depending on nectar flows and weather. After the lime I leave my bees well alone except for :- the occasional odd frame check to ensure brood; for treating and ;for feeding
If I am unlucky enough to get a late swarm then so be it.
As I have always preached.... Think why you are going into your hive ( being nosy doesn't count! ) as soon as you have done what you set out to do.... Do no more! If there is no reason for you to go in the hive then why bother? At this time of the year they start to become defensive of stores and their queen, they know they have little chance to collect more stores or mate a new queen so they begin to guard with their lives.
Spring in the other hand.... They are as quiet as mice! Unless of course you have mice in there and then they are not so quiet!
Only do what you NEED to do, no more.
E