inspecting whilst feeding?

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Joined
Jul 18, 2011
Messages
700
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Location
sarf london/surrey
Hive Type
National
Number of Hives
5 hives
I have a rapid feeder on a hive but would like to inspect this again soon

So do I just choose a time when the feeder is a bit low (so avoid spills)

and take it off and inspect as normal ?
 
I have a rapid feeder on a hive but would like to inspect this again soon

So do I just choose a time when the feeder is a bit low (so avoid spills)

and take it off and inspect as normal ?

That is what I do... but I rarely inspect at this time of year.. Why? Becuase if they are Q-, little can be done unless uniting.. I know they need stores as I am feeding.. and hopefully no disease..

And I weigh before feeding starts and have a rough idea of my target weight and roughhly what it feels like when hefting so weighing is minimised.

So I tend not to inspect.. Makes life much easier.. (a Lazy beekeeper's outlook)
 
Give me one reason for inspecting at this time of the year!
Always think. What I am inspecting for, if I find it can I resolve it. If not then don't inspect!
If you do have a good reason then your plan of an empty feeder is the best one
E
 
No inspection now
The time to do a brood disease and queen check is before you start
Then leave them alone
If you suspect you might have a colony that will need looking at while feeding why not use a 2litre rapid and just fill every day
 
well I am testing out the 'build foundation in the autumn' option with this hive (added a double brood box and added some foundation) so I am really curious to see how they are doing.

also it is the same hive where I have seen some wax moth larvae above the crownboard and also one below on the inspection tray so also keen to have a look at for this

maybe I should get borescope/endoscope for a case like this !!



https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inspection...&pf_rd_p=027b56dc-b78a-559e-9cbb-e52a714a6177
 
well I am testing out the 'build foundation in the autumn' option with this hive (added a double brood box and added some foundation) so I am really curious to see how they are doing.
Also it is the same hive where I have seen some wax moth larvae above the crownboard and also one below on the inspection tray so also keen to have a look at for this

Is it really an option, isn't it you forcing/manipulating there behaviour? Bees will draw foundation for two reasons: cells for brood rearing, or to store food; nectar, honey, or pollen; and they like it warm. Are you on poly?
If there is no nectar is being collected, the queen's egg laying is reduced and no new comb is needed for brood rearing or to store nectar. Consequently the bees do not draw out foundation. They need a reason to draw comb - a flow, real or artificial. I trust they have been packing in both pollen and nectar and that you have not overwhelmed them by adding double deep boxes and foundation.
 
Is it really an option, isn't it you forcing/manipulating there behaviour? Bees will draw foundation for two reasons: cells for brood rearing, or to store food; nectar, honey, or pollen; and they like it warm. Are you on poly?
If there is no nectar is being collected, the queen's egg laying is reduced and no new comb is needed for brood rearing or to store nectar. Consequently the bees do not draw out foundation. They need a reason to draw comb - a flow, real or artificial. I trust they have been packing in both pollen and nectar and that you have not overwhelmed them by adding double deep boxes and foundation.


So yes its poly paynes national and needed to give them a bit of winter feed anyway to give them thymol for prophylactic nosema prevention

there is lots of IVY around here and all the hives are busy in the apiary.

This is a 2019 queen and 12 days ago looked in good fettle when I had a
quick look for bias and added the apivar ..

... this is a spare hive and was looking to follow the suggestion raised earlier on these boards from an old post from ITLD that autumn is a good time to force them to create non drone brood comb on foundation/frameless foundation
 
Plenty of reason to inspect now just introduced 15 queens last week and spent the weekend pulling honey clogged frames out of some hives and nucs and introduced drawn frames to the centre of brood nest. There will be an extra frame of brood laid up by next week in most that would not be there otherwise!!!
 
So yes its poly paynes national and needed to give them a bit of winter feed anyway to give them thymol for prophylactic nosema prevention

there is lots of IVY around here and all the hives are busy in the apiary.

This is a 2019 queen and 12 days ago looked in good fettle when I had a
quick look for bias and added the apivar ..

... this is a spare hive and was looking to follow the suggestion raised earlier on these boards from an old post from ITLD that autumn is a good time to force them to create non drone brood comb on foundation/frameless foundation
I see, drawn comb is a valuable asset. Will you be taking it off before the weather gets cooler?
 
So yes its poly paynes national and needed to give them a bit of winter feed anyway to give them thymol for prophylactic nosema prevention

there is lots of IVY around here and all the hives are busy in the apiary.

This is a 2019 queen and 12 days ago looked in good fettle when I had a
quick look for bias and added the apivar ..

... this is a spare hive and was looking to follow the suggestion raised earlier on these boards from an old post from ITLD that autumn is a good time to force them to create non drone brood comb on foundation/frameless foundation

Hi Chris , how long have you been using apivar after three weeks I've been scraping the strips with my hive tool as per treatment plan .
Inspection time then ?
 
Hi Chris , how long have you been using apivar after three weeks I've been scraping the strips with my hive tool as per treatment plan .
Inspection time then ?

tbh I am a bit slack on the scratching these apivar tabs ...also the tabs in here were from a re-sealed pack from last year that were left in the fridge ("they" say you should bin them ...but seems a waste to me)
 
tbh I am a bit slack on the scratching these apivar tabs ...also the tabs in here were from a re-sealed pack from last year that were left in the fridge ("they" say you should bin them ...but seems a waste to me)

They have a two year shelf life. Treatment is six weeks but you can then scratch and reposition for a further four weeks if necessary.
 

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