Massing at enterance and on stand

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Joined
Oct 17, 2011
Messages
238
Reaction score
16
Location
Ireland
Hive Type
National
Number of Hives
22
I have one hive causing some concern. A large proportion of the colony clusters outside of the entrance and under the landing board. This commenced with the application of Apiguard and inserting the inspection tray (closing off the mesh floor). I can understand the impact of Aguard in the first instance but we are now four days from the end of the four week cycle (ApiG effectively gone)and every day out come the ladies to return in when temps drop. They are still functioning in-hive – Q is visible (very few eggs) and they are filling a super (with help of a little 2:1 syrup). One item of interest is that this colony (came in as Nuc in June) had significant drop of Varroa mite on the first application (carpeted the tray). The weather here is way above normal – today 21-22 C and we await the Ivy. Any informed interpretation of what may be going on to alleviate concerns or perhaps plan action?
 
Warm weather still with you - it could be that, also if you are feeding syrup they may be moving out to give plenty of space for the air circulation needed to reduce water content of the stores. Quite a few of my hives are like that at the moment - reduced in size ready for winter, but still stores needing to be ripened
 
The colony is still in Summer population numbers so If you've removed the supers they are cramped for space - also apiguard is smelly.
 
Agree with the guys above.

Just checking that HM has enough room to lay?
If their mind-set is on honey production and food storage, they could be clarting up the brood box with stores, not leaving HM enough space to produce the winter bees.

Dusty
 
Hi, My bees are doing the same thing large clusters of bees at the entrance, during treatment with Apiguard. Checked closely through binoculars for a while there is no fighting so its not that. I have been very concerned about this but having this thread feel a little easier. I was advised btw to pull out the varroa board by an inch or so to give more ventilation.
 
advised btw to pull out the varroa board by an inch or so to give more ventilation.

Alison,

I totally remove the V. inset unless I'm specifically monitoring for mite drop as they need the ventilation.

What size entrance do you have ?

richard
 
Looked today and loads of the girls outside hive feeding others at ratio two feeding to one receiving -most strange. Am intending to start winter feed tomorrow and have apistan strips in for varroa.
I don,t know what is going on but I trust them to know what they are doing is right.
Also lots of ivy pollen coming in so obviously still rearing brood.(and still bright orange pollen which I don't know the source)

P.
 
advised btw to pull out the varroa board by an inch or so to give more ventilation.

Alison,

I totally remove the V. inset unless I'm specifically monitoring for mite drop as they need the ventilation.

What size entrance do you have ?

richard

I was told by others on here that you close off open mesh floors when treating with apiguard but open the entrance if on reduced entrance.
If robbing is a problem that you can't open entrance from a reduced position,, then just pull varroa tray out an inch which will give enough ventilation.
My 5 hives are ready for their second treatment apiguard tomorrow. They cluster outside for a few days but settle down then.
I saw on the Q & A sheet about apiguard , that its best not to feed them at same time as treatment. That you want the bees to keep on cleaning duty to clear the apiguard, but if feeding, they will neglect that duty to take down the food. Didn't see anything about closing of floors.
Im sure someone will come on and give the reasons why you close off the open mesh floor, when treating.

Sharon
 
Sharon

Yes, you are quite correct!

(I missed that the op was doing apiguard)

richard
 
Hivemaker's Thymol varroa treatment instructions say to reduce entrance, block any feed holes and mesh floors. Doe that still stand? Never had any problems with this method.
 

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