Hefting

[ShinySideUp]

I have hefted my hives and all seems well as they are very heavy but I have a worry in that although the hives obviously have honey stores how can I be sure the bees are using them. Reading up on the subject as far as I can seems to imply that there are occasions when hives starve to death within inches of bountiful stores. How do I make sure this is not happening to my bees?

I might add that being in Cornwall we have cold days but we also have pleasantly warm ones when the bees can un-cluster and get out. Presumably during these periods they will spend time moving stores around -- is this a reasonable assumption?

 

[Uncle Betty]

I have hefted my hives and all seems well as they are very heavy but I have a worry in that although the hives obviously have honey stores how can I be sure the bees are using them. Reading up on the subject as far as I can seems to imply that there are occasions when hives starve to death within inches of bountiful stores. How do I make sure this is not happening to my bees?

I might add that being in Cornwall we have cold days but we also have pleasantly warm ones when the bees can un-cluster and get out. Presumably during these periods they will spend time moving stores around -- is this a reasonable assumption?

Any light-coloured cappings on the inspection board ?

 

[applejack33]

Feed

If you have fondant wrap some in cling film with a hole in the film. Place it over the feed hole in the crown board with the hole in the film downwards so the bees have access. If they start taking it down, monitor and if necessary when it is all gone give them some more. I always do this and as yet haven't lost any to starvation. If no fondant put some damp sugar on instead.
Applejack

 

[enrico]

Starvation does happen but rarely, and generally in long periods of no flying, bees are usually very clever, trust them and relax!
E

 

[Erichalfbee]

Putting fondant over the top of a feeder hole is pointless unless the bees are up there. They are more likely to move to stores if they are mobile.
Put your inspection board under to see where the cluster is and if they are uncapping stores
As enrico. Relax.

 

[applejack33]

I usually find when I take the roof off there will be at least one bee which will come up and investigate, and it only takes one to spread the word. Someone told me there is more chance of them going up to the fondant at the top of the brood chamber where it should be warm rather than go sideways around the edge of the frames to the stores where it may be colder. And I believe it.
Where I have glass crown boards the bees are always visible under the glass. All my roofs are insulated with Celotex and helps keep the heat in the top of the hive. Only my opinion of course.
Applejack

Can't prove it but if it works then why not??

 

[For want of a better word]

As with above... see through crownboads and crumbles on the inspection board... Then I tend not to leave inspection boards in... but with a couple of hives can be cleaned and replaced to see activity..... I also have a stethoscope to have a listen for the clustering hummmmmmm
Yeghes da

 

[Poly Hive]

Isolation starvation may be rare in the far south but is certainly not unknown in the harder parts of the country. Fondant is your friend and a damn good insurance.

PH

 

[Millet]

Putting fondant over the top of a feeder hole is pointless unless the bees are up there. They are more likely to move to stores if they are mobile.
Put your inspection board under to see where the cluster is and if they are uncapping stores
As enrico. Relax.

I would have disagreed with that last year but this year i totally agree, on recent inspection two hives where flying and also up and taking the fondant, one was not and the fondant on the crown board had not been touched, i thought they had perished so i popped the crown board and the bees where very lethargic on four seams, i flattened the fondant with a brick and put it directly above them on the top bars hopefully they make it.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I would have disagreed with that last year but this year i totally agree, on recent inspection two hives where flying and also up and taking the fondant, one was not and the fondant on the crown board had not been touched, i thought they had perished so i popped the crown board and the bees where very lethargic on four seams, i flattened the fondant with a brick and put it directly above them on the top bars hopefully they make it.

My general rule of thumb is that if bees come hurtling up to the feeder hole then fondant is fine there. If they don’t I roll it thinly on a layer of greaseproof slashed half a dozen times at right angles to the seams. That way there is access across the box. A few bees might venture into fondant over a crownboard but if it gets cold again they won’t leave brood to get to it. On top of the cluster isthe best place for it

 

[ShinySideUp]

Yes, there are bits of capping on the inspection board so presumably they are ok in there.

 

[Millet]

If it is light capping they are getting into there stores. if it is dark capping they will be brood emerging.

 

[ShinySideUp]

If it is light capping they are getting into there stores. if it is dark capping they will be brood emerging.

Good to know, I'll check for that tomorrow.