Hungry bees

[bcup]

Hungry bees – good a small nun of bees started feeding syrup in October - haven’t really taken. Now very hungry but now taking feed. Have got a frame feeder and bucket feeder. About 100 or so bees, queen right.

Ideas as to what to do now…..?

 

[Erichalfbee]

A hundred? I’m afraid they are doomed.
When did you get the nuc and have you treated for varroa?

 

[bcup]

Yes treated for varroa - Knocked them down from brood box to 5 nuc, early sep as full box was to much so I could block the entrance better to prevent wasps

 

[Sutty]

If you have a  very strong colony you could take bees from you could spray with air freshener and shake some in, but not a great idea in the cold (and shaking the Q in would be a disaster).
I doubt it's worth trying.

 

[pargyle]

If you have a  very strong colony you could take bees from you could spray with air freshener and shake some in, but not a great idea in the cold (and shaking the Q in would be a disaster).
I doubt it's worth trying.

Terrible idea .. with 100 bees it's pretty much doomed .. dummied down, well insulated and fed - 10 % chance but they might make it through.

 

[ericbeaumont]

About 100 or so bees, queen right

Poly nuc, one frame of comb & bees, two frames of pollen & honey; dummy the rest of the space with a piece of PIR. Feed fondant (not syrup) and push it down the feeder slot so that it contacts the top bars. BS & OCFH poly nucs are best for this as the feeder floor has a removable silicone plug. Tape a slice of something solid to the mesh floor and don't give up hope.

 

[Dodge]

If you have a mini mating nuce placed then within a hive they may have chance.

 

[Macbear]

If you have a mini mating nuce placed then within a hive they may have chance.

Also noting ericbeaumont's suggestion. How BK's explore every possible rescue plan for their colonies! I admit that I have an emotional attachment to my bees, and feel sadness when other BK's report colonies as lost or in serious peril.

 

[Penninetrader]

I have a similar situation going on due to Queen failures in regards producing brood. Some weeks back I shrunk the colony down to 3 frames within a dummied down nuc via Insulation panels, I also insulated the exterior front and back panels with the same material. On sunny days they are still flying and seem healthy thus far. One thing is confusing in that the bees flying now seem to have darkened more to AMM rather than the Buckie they should be. The Buckie queens were the problem in the first place. All my other girls are mongrel bordering on AMM in appearance. If they survive good on em, I have done my bit the rest is up to them.

 

[Sutty]

I have a similar situation going on due to Queen failures in regards producing brood. Some weeks back I shrunk the colony down to 3 frames within a dummied down nuc via Insulation panels, I also insulated the exterior front and back panels with the same material. On sunny days they are still flying and seem healthy thus far. One thing is confusing in that the bees flying now seem to have darkened more to AMM rather than the Buckie they should be. The Buckie queens were the problem in the first place. All my other girls are mongrel bordering on AMM in appearance. If they survive good on em, I have done my bit the rest is up to them.

Are the darker bees now flying just robbing out the weak colony?