New (late?) laying queen space requirements?

[bjosephd]

I've finally got a laying queen in a split that I did a good while ago... looks like she's been laying for about 10 days.

This hive has been resucing since the split and first queen attempt failed.

So has been without brood for some time. (Asside from some worker laid drone).

It is suitably populated to support the queen and ahe seems to be gettin a good pattern going on.

Question: at this stage in the season, shiuld I treat this as something to become an over wintering nuc size? Or how big can I expect the colony to get before shutting down for winter... I'm more than happy to feed them as much as required... should I pour some ayrup down them to boost their power to get numbers up for winter.

On a poaitive not... not a single varroa to be seen!

Thanka!

BJD

 

[B+.]

Question: at this stage in the season, shiuld I treat this as something to become an over wintering nuc size? Or how big can I expect the colony to get before shutting down for winter... I'm more than happy to feed them as much as required... should I pour some ayrup down them to boost their power to get numbers up for winter.

The objective has to be to allow her to overwinter with her own bees which will be biologically young enough to rear brood in the spring.
If your flows are lacking, I would be inclined to feed them so they have a good supply of winter stores too. A single Langstroth deep is probably enough although I will give a second box to very strong colonies.

 

[Erichalfbee]

looks like she's been laying for about 10 days.


On a poaitive not... not a single varroa to be seen!

So the brood is capped?

 

[bjosephd]

So the brood is capped?

Yep capped.

Only brief look as not great weather. So not apotted her yet.

Fruatratingly only able to make one day a week so inspectikns ow massively limited.

New job took my away.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Don't worry about inspecting frequently now. You can leave them in peace for a while.
My reference to capped brood was to suggest that is where your varroa are.

 

[bjosephd]

Don't worry about inspecting frequently now. You can leave them in peace for a while.
My reference to capped brood was to suggest that is where your varroa are.

Well yes of course… but I mean they have been broadly broodless for quite some time.

And currently there is only the beginnings of a brood pattern on a few frames.

But yes, no doubt the pesky buggers have already jumped in a few cells to restart their operation of world dominance… but at least there has been zero drop for quite some time now.

BJD

p.s. sorry for terrible typing… it's a lot harder on an iPhone an I become far less inclined to proof-read as it's such a faff on such a small touch screen!

 

[bjosephd]

Don't worry about inspecting frequently now. You can leave them in peace for a while.
My reference to capped brood was to suggest that is where your varroa are.

Is swarming now very unlikely and so inspections are broadly for health reasons to make sure they going into winter in tip-top condition?

That would certainly take some weight off my shoulders. They have super space if need be, but seem reluctant to move up currently.

 

[Millet]

Bees will change the rules we have made for them, a worker can go back to being a nurse bee if needed to keep the colony alive, don,t mess them about and let them beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.