Hives not broodless yet

[Bakerbee]

2 of my hives have not gone broodless yet. Ive been checking since beginning of december with observation boards in and im still getting capping on it. Its warm down south snd my bees have been flying most days, would that affect the queen not going off lay? I thought it was day length that caused broodless period. Its now 2 weeks past shortest day and im thinking get on and trickle one evening so theyre clustered regardless of the fact they are not broodless. Thoughts welcome all thanks.

 

[Bakerbee]

And yes its definetly brood (darker) cappings im seeing as honey cappings are also there but much lighter and mostly on outer frames

 

[SDM]

Its not just day length that affects laying and theres nothing unusual about not having a brood break in a mild winter.
Im a bit further North than you and ive only seen some of my Buckfast colonies have a brood break once in the lasr 5 or 6 years.

 

[Millet]

Out of nine colonies i have been checking for varroa and cleaning the inspection trays for the past couple of months (inspection trays left in for winter) only one colony has had a definite brood break and that is the weakest hive..even in winters gone i have not noticed a brood break in mongrels or buckfast colonies..i have noticed that mine do slow down but never totally stop unless something is wrong...all in poly by the way.

 

[Bakerbee]

Thanks for the replys. Im going to get on and trickle i know i eont get them all but dome while brood area is at its smallest is better than none.

 

[SDM]

If its still a small patch of brood and you're happy theyre in decent shape, culling sealed brood now to increase treatment efficiency is worth it.

 

[Poly Hive]

Sorry but I disagree here.

If there is a small patch of brood where is it? I suspect that there is a greater risk in pulling the hive apart than missing a few mites.

My thinking anyway.

I have never checked for brood at this time, though my location is more northerly than many on here, I just trickle and during the active season I have yet to see a mite in the sealed drone brood which I do monitor as I see that as having a very minor effect on the colony welfare.

PH

 

[Karsal]

If its still a small patch of brood and you're happy theyre in decent shape, culling sealed brood now to increase treatment efficiency is worth it.

Culling sealed brood now this time of year?
Breaking open your hives propolis seal and disturbing the colony is utter madness.
Leave them alone until springtime and be patient.
I cannot believe anyone would advocate this in winter!

 

[Popparand]

Culling sealed brood now this time of year?
Breaking open your hives propolis seal and disturbing the colony is utter madness.
Leave them alone until springtime and be patient.
I cannot believe anyone would advocate this in winter!

I agree. I wouldn't dream of opening up any of my broad boxes this time of year.

 

[For want of a better word]

I agree. I wouldn't dream of opening up any of my broad boxes this time of year.

But when you do ... make sure the queen is not clinging to the crownboad when you rip that winter seal of propollis apart!

 

[SDM]

The only real danger of opening at this time is to the brood you are about to cull. Current mite level and my ipm schedule would be what guided me in the decision

 

[SDM]

But when you do ... make sure the queen is not clinging to the crownboad when you rip that winter seal of propollis apart!

He'll "rip that winter seal of propolis apart" anyway when he trickles, doesn't seem to be doing much harm to the colonies treated that way every year. Id be more worried about stores than mites if my bees were up on the crownboard now.