- Joined
- Jan 12, 2009
- Messages
- 2,092
- Reaction score
- 975
- Location
- Newburyish
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 6
We went around to take Apiguard off yesterday, and were surprised to find stores levels in all the colonies had decreased hugely in the last two weeks.
We had left all the colonies with a super of their own stores, and brood boxes with plenty in as well. They all appeared to be flying well. But in the space of a couple of weeks, they have really dug into the stores.
I don't think it was robbing - haven't seen any untoward activity.
There are higher numbers of bees around and active than I would have expected. I think the Indian summer has kept numbers up, but with decreasing forage.
Bottom line is - we are now feeding, after being confident we wouldn't need to.
And it may pay to check your stores. It's been a funny season.
We had left all the colonies with a super of their own stores, and brood boxes with plenty in as well. They all appeared to be flying well. But in the space of a couple of weeks, they have really dug into the stores.
I don't think it was robbing - haven't seen any untoward activity.
There are higher numbers of bees around and active than I would have expected. I think the Indian summer has kept numbers up, but with decreasing forage.
Bottom line is - we are now feeding, after being confident we wouldn't need to.
And it may pay to check your stores. It's been a funny season.