Losing nerve in face of quite colony

[Spikedog]

When last on board with this topic I took the advice of the Bees knowing best and adopting a laissez faire or hands off approach. However in this relatively fine weather I note that of three hives two are very active [1= double brood] [1= 1½ brood] bringing in pollen etc., whereas the third [single brood] is very quiet with few coming and going. This latter box had ample stores but the queen appeared to have stopped laying (space /Apiguard). I am losing my nerve somewhat as to leaving well enough alone. As the weather is quite good betimes I am tempted to take a peek so as to ascertain the state of play and in case she has croaked it perhaps combine … Is it possible that they have clustered early (some cold nights)… To peek or not to peek that is the question …

 

[enrico]

When last on board with this topic I took the advice of the Bees knowing best and adopting a laissez faire or hands off approach. However in this relatively fine weather I note that of three hives two are very active [1= double brood] [1= 1½ brood] bringing in pollen etc., whereas the third [single brood] is very quiet with few coming and going. This latter box had ample stores but the queen appeared to have stopped laying (space /Apiguard). I am losing my nerve somewhat as to leaving well enough alone. As the weather is quite good betimes I am tempted to take a peek so as to ascertain the state of play and in case she has croaked it perhaps combine … Is it possible that they have clustered early (some cold nights)… To peek or not to peek that is the question …

If you are peeking for a purpose then do it! Your gut reaction about the state of your own bees is a good guide. You are obviously not happy with what you can see externally so there is your reason for peeking! Pick a warm day. Check a centre frame which is most likely to have brood.... But don't expect any, and one outside frame to check for stores.....then close up and think about what you have seen. I would not be going through looking for a queen unless the weather is plenty warmer than it is here today.
Hope this helps
E

 

[itma]

... whereas the third [single brood] is very quiet with few coming and going. This latter box had ample stores but the queen appeared to have stopped laying (space /Apiguard). ... To peek or not to peek that is the question …

Question to be answered by looking is "Have they swarmed?"

Absolutely no harm in finding out what the reason might be for the lack of traffic.
Much better to do it (on a good day) now rather than later.

 

[dickndoris]

Get your ear to the side of the brood box and give a couple of knocks. You will get a very quiet buzz if one at all if no one home. If you get a second or 2 of nice loud solid buzz I wouldn't worry. If you get a prolonged buzz sounding eratic at times then maybe you may have a problem. Try it with your healthy hive to compare. I do it every visit, which is almost every day as they are in the garden. You can learn a lot from the sounds emitting from the brood box. I have a stethoscope now save me aging back;-)

 

[HM Honey]

One of the benefits of using glass crown boards.....being able to look in without opening the hive.

 

[drstitson]

"Is it possible that they have clustered early (some cold nights)"

clustering is not the same as hibernation as we are familiar with other species.

it is a dynamic process based on ambient temps - cluster will form when cold and break when warm. likewise density of bees/cluster size dependent upon temp - as it gets colder cluster tightens up.

so yes they may well have clustered overnight but assuming daytime temps are adequate (>9-10 degrees) and it's not raining there should be some flying.

 

[user 6228]

is this hive more heavily shaded than the others

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

is this hive more heavily shaded than the others

I have hives facing either South (Ish) or East, some more in shade than others especiaslly at this time of year and the difference in activity is marked. Also as the colonies are genetically different this is a factor. two of my home bred queens were tucked right in the middle of the combs whilst others were active and up on the top bars

 

[user 6228]

I have hives facing either South (Ish) or East, some more in shade than others especiaslly at this time of year and the difference in activity is marked. Also as the colonies are genetically different this is a factor. two of my home bred queens were tucked right in the middle of the combs whilst others were active and up on the top bars

I'm glad others find that so.. maybe clustering has something to do with stimulation as well as outside/inside temperature.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I'm glad others find that so.. maybe clustering has something to do with stimulation as well as outside/inside temperature.

Without starting another debate I find that the 'darker', AMM ish bees tend to settle down for winter with less fuss, although with this warmish spell it's less marked.The two queens in question are local mongrels and until last year there was a strong prevalence of dark bees in the area - quite a few 'wild' colonies' - so that would be their mother's genes. bit more of a mish mash now with quite a few colonies up the road being Aberystwyth bred.
Rambling now - my point is they 'cwtch' in and slow down a bit quicker than other varieties.

 

[user 6228]

Without starting another debate I find that the 'darker', AMM ish bees tend to settle down for winter with less fuss, although with this warmish spell it's less marked.The two queens in question are local mongrels and until last year there was a strong prevalence of dark bees in the area - quite a few 'wild' colonies' - so that would be their mother's genes. bit more of a mish mash now with quite a few colonies up the road being Aberystwyth bred.
Rambling now - my point is they 'cwtch' in and slow down a bit quicker than other varieties.

leaping several mountain ranges of conclusion at a single bound : Maybe the adaptation of AMM then is not cold but dark cloudy weather. So the Hypothesis is a shaded location with "dark weather bees" makes for a bigger differeence in the OP bees activity?

 

[Amari]

I have a stethoscope now save me aging back;-)[/QUOTE]

Interesting! I tried that some years ago and couldn't hear a thing. I will retrieve
mine from the loft and have another go.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

leaping several mountain ranges of conclusion at a single bound : Maybe the adaptation of AMM then is not cold but dark cloudy weather. So the Hypothesis is a shaded location with "dark weather bees" makes for a bigger differeence in the OP bees activity?

Could be but (they said in the defence academy that i liked playing with these) just to throw a hand grenade in the pool - the second most productive hive I had this year - Pembrokeshire dark mongrels with a bit of a touchy nature - were in the Garn Cottage apiary which is unfortunately tucked in the shade for most of the day. But saying that, they did tend to get up later than my other bees and you were taking a risk conducting an inspection in the morning before the afternoon sun touched the hive.

 

[Spikedog]

This is where I came in … Today beautiful blue skies temps at 14° (noon) I could hear the loud buzz of bees from about 30 yards … unusual this, thought swarm but no the two lively hives were alive with laden foragers returning with an abundance of yellow pollen. In one case I removed the Mouse Guard as it was bottle necking and they were falling to the ground. This could be an issue as the number of bees exiting the hive and returning that fell into long grass (cold) in front of the hive was significant.
Anyway to the point the hive in question was still relatively calm. On opening, all is as was some weeks past bees covering frames to back of the hive, stores a plenty (an empty frame spare)and even some small laying room for Q whom was spotted but no eggs or larvae –a small patch of sealed brood that looked old. I can only conclude they are not interested in what I imagine is an ivy flow. So we wait for spring … Comments would be appreciated. In the interim many thanks for the advice in particular the info on the Cluster v Hibernation and perhaps putting down a Xmas request for stethoscope – mite peculiar that. Thanks again.

 

[itma]

Unless you are still playing "Doctors and Nurses" a see-through polycarbonate coverboard would likely bring more pleasure than a stethoscope!
My preference is for the no-hole polycarb coverboard, and using a different coverboard with a hole for feeding and clearing. Using a plastic board with a feeder on top bows it slightly, reduces the beespace, and soon its very hard to see through! (Personal experience on that one!

Incidentally, on single brood National, with room for Q to lay plus a whole empty frame, I'm not sure I'd be thinking that was "stores aplenty".
I think I'd be bringing that empty frame near to the brood nest, to encourage the colony to make some use of it while there's still Ivy to be taken.

 

[dickndoris]

Unless you are still playing "Doctors and Nurses" a see-through polycarbonate coverboard would likely bring more pleasure than a stethoscope!
My preference is for the no-hole polycarb coverboard, and using a different coverboard with a hole for feeding and clearing. Using a plastic board with a feeder on top bows it slightly, reduces the beespace, and soon its very hard to see through! (Personal experience on that one!

Incidentally, on single brood National, with room for Q to lay plus a whole empty frame, I'm not sure I'd be thinking that was "stores aplenty".
I think I'd be bringing that empty frame near to the brood nest, to encourage the colony to make some use of it while there's still Ivy to be taken.

I agree..I also use polycarb crown boards with supports so they don't sag. I have feed holes which I cover over with hard foam when not in use. The bees glue them down for summer. I also listen first before entering. Its rude not to knock.