Lots of stores - what to do?

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Beagle23

House Bee
Joined
Jan 18, 2017
Messages
344
Reaction score
39
Location
Chessington
Hive Type
National
Number of Hives
3
I popped open my hive yesterday to check on the level of stores. In October I had a full brood box and I left 5 frames worth in a super above the brood box.

So yesterday I noticed the capped frames in the super were completely untouched, It occurred to me that I may be able to take a couple of these frames for myself depending on the level of stores in the brood box. Checking the brood box I found that the stores there have barely been touched, that the queen is already laying, and that I'm very close to having a honey bound situation. The hive is still full of bees.
Any idea what's going on? The winter has been fairly mild, and I've seen bees coming and going, but not in significant numbers. I can't figure out what they've been feeding on
 
My Advice is not to touch the stores as soon as they start rearing brood those stores will disappear very quickly .
 
I would add to that.

Also please do not mess about with wintering colonies. It does no good and can do much harm.

RESIST.

PH
 
I would add to that.

Also please do not mess about with wintering colonies. It does no good and can do much harm.

RESIST.

PH

Yes I agree. There's a marked difference between this year and the first two winters, where they exhibited 'common' behaviour.
 
If you need to add more frames then put a box under the present brood box.
E
 
One of my two hives still has a full super of stores not touched yet although this colony looks a lot weaker than the other
 
This winter's been cooler than last few December they weren't flying most of January they havent

:iagree: its been the same here. November 5th bees were flying orientating. Dec. 20th 8 degrees toilet duties. Jan 22th 8 degrees toilet duties and I'm sure there were new bees orientating not many.
 
I don’t do anything about surplus storestill first inspection. I’ll always have a few empty brood frames to swap if need be.
 

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