Inspections whilst treating with apiguard

[bump3r67]

Hi, just a quick question.

Put my Apiguard treatment on last weekend. Should I be inspecting this weekend or should I leave alone until I drop my next lot of Apiguard on.
Thanks in advance.

 

[oliver90owner]

I would not be dissecting any hive every week, at this time of the year, unless for a specific reason.

 

[MuswellMetro]

i have not opened my brood boxes since late July except for adding thymol or removing supers

in a warm spell later this month i will check the outer stores, remove QEs but not go any deeper into the brood

I will then feed as appropriate, insulate the roofs, woodpecker proof them and leave them alone until January for oxalic

then will heft in febuary to March adding fondant if they are too light

now is the time to sit an watch the bees, ...look at them, no drones , pollen in, heavy nectar loaded bees still missing the entrance, defending for wasps, on the outside in hot days due to thymol....test them for nosema, varroa drop otherwise just watch them and let them tell you if they are ok , leave them alone

 

[rae]

Only checks we are doing is to pull a few frames to check for existence of brood. If they have decided to supersede, kill the queen or generally misbehave then I'd rather know about it and merge them now. Agree that hefting is now the important bit.

 

[bump3r67]

I posted on here a couple of weeks ago regarding a laying worker. I had put a frame of egg and brood in from my other hive and hoping that they will produce another Q and get her mated. I know its late but here's hoping.

If that fails I will unite the two hives. Not looking at opening the Q- hive till next week when hopefully I will find a new Q.

I was just wondering how the others were doing but guess you lot are right. I must resist the temptation....

 

[george]

Personal opinion only but I would steer clear of uniting a hive with a laying worker with another hive .
If the Queen in your good hive gets injured or killed during the uniting process you have lost both colonies not just the one with the LW .
And back to the original post , no, dont inspect when treating . As with most who have replied I have not made a full inspection since July . I will make one final check if its warm enough once I have finished with my Formic acid and thats the lot till next Spring .

G

 

[kermit]

Personal opinion only but I would steer clear of uniting a hive with a laying worker with another hive .
If the Queen in your good hive gets injured or killed during the uniting process you have lost both colonies not just the one with the LW .

Try moving the hive to the far side of your apiary and shake all the bees off. They will then find somewhere to live in another hive - if you watch them they will go up to a guard bee and meakly ask if they can come in. Apparently the laying workers don't fly, so won't get into another hive. That way the bees can help your other colonies to lay stores for winter. A lot less risk when compared to uniting.

 

[RosieMc]

Apiguard puts my bees in a dreadful mood. Nasty, really nasty. I would not dare look!

 

[bump3r67]

Try moving the hive to the far side of your apiary and shake all the bees off. They will then find somewhere to live in another hive - if you watch them they will go up to a guard bee and meakly ask if they can come in. Apparently the laying workers don't fly, so won't get into another hive. That way the bees can help your other colonies to lay stores for winter. A lot less risk when compared to uniting.

I've gone for it.

Other options failed and with things moving on I took the decision to empty the hive as per Dave's suggestion. Weather has been good and looks like stopping it like for a few days so thought I would go for it.

Within one hour most had managed to beg and barge their way into my other hive. Both were small hives so it should hopefully help them get through the winter. Fingers crossed!

Just one thing I need answering. The hive that I have removed had most frames drawn out and partially filled with honey. The hive that is left still has some un-drawn frames. I presume I am okay to swap the frames once they have all settles down. I have been feeding both.

Bump3r

 

[oliver90owner]

Ask yourself the question: Is there any reason why I should not do that?

When you have answered that question, just go ahead and do it.

 

[For want of a better word]

Ask yourself the question: Is there any reason why I should not do that?

When you have answered that question, just go ahead and do it.

Classic Tractor Man !!!!
I salute you !!