Rob55
House Bee
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2012
- Messages
- 232
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- N.Ireland
- Hive Type
- 14x12
- Number of Hives
- 4
Evening All
Today I transferred my colony into a 14x12 poly nuc for the winter as they had swarmed twice in late summer and numbers were low. They have a newly mated queen with a little brood in the centre frames, so I hope this will give them the best chance of making it through the winter. Some questions:
1. I was left with 1 extra frame with roughly 1/3 capped stores on one side which I didn't know what to do with. I didn't want to waste the stores, so I decided to scrape the honey off and smear it into the feeder side of the poly nuc in the hope that the bees could make use of it, straight away bees came trickling into the feeder and started mopping it up. Was this a good idea or what alternatives would there have been?
2. I have left the remainder of the above frame sitting outside the hive now in the hope the bees will clean out the remaining cells, to allow me save the drawn comb for next season. I have 4 other drawn out frames which are completely empty as well. What is the best way to store them all until next spring? I have previously seen stored frames go a black crusty colour while lying in a neighbours shed, I don't want this to happen to mine.
3. There has been no varroa drop from my hive at all. It is quite cold here now, max 11-12 degrees C. I have Apiguard treatment sitting here but I am not sure whether I should treat, what would you do given the zero mite drop and weak state of the colony?
Thanks as always
Rob
Today I transferred my colony into a 14x12 poly nuc for the winter as they had swarmed twice in late summer and numbers were low. They have a newly mated queen with a little brood in the centre frames, so I hope this will give them the best chance of making it through the winter. Some questions:
1. I was left with 1 extra frame with roughly 1/3 capped stores on one side which I didn't know what to do with. I didn't want to waste the stores, so I decided to scrape the honey off and smear it into the feeder side of the poly nuc in the hope that the bees could make use of it, straight away bees came trickling into the feeder and started mopping it up. Was this a good idea or what alternatives would there have been?
2. I have left the remainder of the above frame sitting outside the hive now in the hope the bees will clean out the remaining cells, to allow me save the drawn comb for next season. I have 4 other drawn out frames which are completely empty as well. What is the best way to store them all until next spring? I have previously seen stored frames go a black crusty colour while lying in a neighbours shed, I don't want this to happen to mine.
3. There has been no varroa drop from my hive at all. It is quite cold here now, max 11-12 degrees C. I have Apiguard treatment sitting here but I am not sure whether I should treat, what would you do given the zero mite drop and weak state of the colony?
Thanks as always
Rob