In A Bit Of A Pickle

[Millet]

I have one colony in a poly hive that is rather small to my liking (not opened up clear crown board) that has a nice 2019 Queen..i had one last year the same with a evil Queen and i left them to it as i was not bothered if they expired but they survived and i splatted the Queen eventually..

This colony is roughly the size of a big grapefruit 5/6 Inch around like the other evil one mentioned which has me in a pickle..they are clustered near the fondant so food is available but i am still a tad anxious as to whether they will make it..i have all the gear to dummy them down or put them into a poly nuc but the weather is baltic..do you lot think i should leave them to it like the others or dummy them down too three/four frames with celotex dummy board's.
Any helpful advice is much appreciated.
Steve.

 

[The Poot in Somerset]

As they're in poly and have enough food, I would stop all draughts from beneath, just leave the entrance open and leave them to it.

 

[Swarm]

I had a colony that was similar to that every year, usually three brooded frames come spring. They would go on double brood (dummied to 18 frames) and five supers.
I'd leave them to it but just keep an eye on them.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Hmmmm
I think they would be better in a poly nuc but as you can’t do that
I think I would dummy them down, put some fondant on the top bars then put in the inspection tray.
So we differ and you might still be in a pickle ..... sorry.

 

[Poly Hive]

Fondant directly over the cluster.

Dummy to five frames with an insulated dummy frame.


PH

 

[Curly green finger's]

I would go with your thoughts Steve, dummy down you've got fondant above .

 

[SWEET]

I have one colony in a poly hive that is rather small to my liking

I left a tiny feral colony (saved from an old oak) in a very cheap/thin pine box with an empty super last winter, they made it through winter fine and produced several nuc's this year.

Tough bees.

 

[enrico]

Until have a colony that dwindles to practically nothing despite stores etc. It always builds up and produces honey, despite being in a full size brood box. Personally I would leave them to it.
E

 

[Poly Hive]

Two very different climates. The NE North Sea coast and the southern softness.

Do nothing and consequently lose the colony will feel sore.

To dummy and place fondant above and have them come through is a great feeling.

To do the same and lose them, well at least an attempt was made.

I know what I would be doing.

PH

 

[Murox]

I have just added an 80mm thick dummy to a hive, took all of 30 seconds to open up, put it in, and close up., I also put the inspection board in to reduce drafts/wind. I get lots of wind
I didn't need to feed, but for your situation I suggest fondant straight onto the top bars - as others have mentioned - then at least you have done what you can.

 

[Millet]

I already have fondant on the top bars..I will dummy down to five frames on Saturday as per Poly Hive suggested as it is baltic on the north east coast and I would kick myself if I done nothing and lost them.
Cheers all.

 

[pargyle]

Hmmmm
I think they would be better in a poly nuc but as you can’t do that
I think I would dummy them down, put some fondant on the top bars then put in the inspection tray.
So we differ and you might still be in a pickle ..... sorry.

Yes, that's what I'd do .. Prepare two 50mm slabs of kingspan, aluminium tape (not duct tape) around the cut edges .. ease the the crown board, slide it to get to one side, .. outer frames out, leave the ones with stores behind, bang in the kingspan, slide the crownboard the other way, kingspan in, crown board back to centre... 30 seconds start to finish. Bees won't even notice if they are as good as you say they are ..

 

[Millet]

Prep ready for Satuurday ...does it get your approval PH....

 

[Madge]

Prep ready for Satuurday ...does it get your approval PH....

It seems to you have four dummies - three strapped together, and one on its own. I would prefer two dummies on either side of the five frames, so that the bees are protected with insulation on two sides.

 

[Poly Hive]

The OP stated in post#1 that the colony is in a poly.

Yes that will work as you have it.

PH

 

[pargyle]

It seems to you have four dummies - three strapped together, and one on its own. I would prefer two dummies on either side of the five frames, so that the bees are protected with insulation on two sides.

It's because he has his frames warm way so he's dummying off the back of the hive ... If he had them cold way they I'd agree that two each side would be better.

 

[Buzzlodge]

Yes, that's what I'd do .. Prepare two 50mm slabs of kingspan, aluminium tape (not duct tape) around the cut edges .. ease the the crown board, slide it to get to one side, .. outer frames out, leave the ones with stores behind, bang in the kingspan, slide the crownboard the other way, kingspan in, crown board back to centre... 30 seconds start to finish. Bees won't even notice if they are as good as you say they are ..

For interest, why is aluminium better?

 

[Millet]

It seems to you have four dummies - three strapped together, and one on its own. I would prefer two dummies on either side of the five frames, so that the bees are protected with insulation on two sides.

As PH states Poly hives..it requires four 50mm dummy boards to dummy down to five frames..i thought it would be quicker and less stressful for the bees to bungs the three in all at the same time(hence them taped) then and the remaining one on the outside to fill the space..

 

[Millet]

For interest, why is aluminium better?

It is not..

 

[Anduril]

For interest, why is aluminium better?

Bees chew duct tape not aluminium.