jd101k2000
Field Bee
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2013
- Messages
- 654
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Caerbryn, near Llandybie
- Hive Type
- 14x12
- Number of Hives
- 7
I am just starting this thread to see if other people are having a similar experience.
One of my colonies has been behaving as if it is the middle of summer. Constant traffic and queuing at the door. (Admittedly, the entrance was still reduced.) Over the last week, I have had varroa inspection boards in as I was inspecting for varroa. Last night and this morning, I spotted bees at the entrance, fanning in lines (like summer). The varroa board was constantly wet (not damp). There appeared to be bees escaping through the mesh floor.
Went to change the floor.
The super on top that had some unsealed honey at the end of last year was now full of nectar... some of it close to sealing. The bees were not escaping through the floor, but appears to be cramming in there to aid ventilation. A small piece of wild comb even had some drone brood. The centre of the super had LOTS of day old eggs (I only removed one frame). Also saw a handful of recently emerged drones, still wobbly on their legs.
The hive is a Paynes Poly hive and seems to have got them out of the starting gate really fast. Put on an extra super and a QX over the existing super.
Looks like the reason it looked like a flow was on is that there was a flow on!
Entrance is now fully open!
One of my colonies has been behaving as if it is the middle of summer. Constant traffic and queuing at the door. (Admittedly, the entrance was still reduced.) Over the last week, I have had varroa inspection boards in as I was inspecting for varroa. Last night and this morning, I spotted bees at the entrance, fanning in lines (like summer). The varroa board was constantly wet (not damp). There appeared to be bees escaping through the mesh floor.
Went to change the floor.
The super on top that had some unsealed honey at the end of last year was now full of nectar... some of it close to sealing. The bees were not escaping through the floor, but appears to be cramming in there to aid ventilation. A small piece of wild comb even had some drone brood. The centre of the super had LOTS of day old eggs (I only removed one frame). Also saw a handful of recently emerged drones, still wobbly on their legs.
The hive is a Paynes Poly hive and seems to have got them out of the starting gate really fast. Put on an extra super and a QX over the existing super.
Looks like the reason it looked like a flow was on is that there was a flow on!
Entrance is now fully open!