davidharradine
New Bee
Hi everyone
I have a very strong colony, which has a new queen following an unexpected swarm in May. I took off a full super of honey in late July. When I went to inspect at the weekend, expecting to have to feed them, I found instead that the hive was still really packed full of bees, and they had built comb up through the crown board and into the roof, which was filled with honey.
I don't want to let them keep building into the roof as it's going to be a nightmare come spring, but I also don't particularly want to give them a double brood or brood and a half, as I did that once in the past and also found it really difficult the following spring. I did heft the hive and it didn't actually feel that heavy, so I don't know why they're not just building up stores in the brood box - I suspect it's because the queen is still laying at a high rate (we have a big Michealmas daisy flow on here at the moment).
I'm a bit stumped. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, I'd be grateful! Thanks.
I have a very strong colony, which has a new queen following an unexpected swarm in May. I took off a full super of honey in late July. When I went to inspect at the weekend, expecting to have to feed them, I found instead that the hive was still really packed full of bees, and they had built comb up through the crown board and into the roof, which was filled with honey.
I don't want to let them keep building into the roof as it's going to be a nightmare come spring, but I also don't particularly want to give them a double brood or brood and a half, as I did that once in the past and also found it really difficult the following spring. I did heft the hive and it didn't actually feel that heavy, so I don't know why they're not just building up stores in the brood box - I suspect it's because the queen is still laying at a high rate (we have a big Michealmas daisy flow on here at the moment).
I'm a bit stumped. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, I'd be grateful! Thanks.