One hive not out, other out !?

[arwenevenstar]

Okay, so I'm wondering what's going on here.

Story is:
I have a nuc that has done remarkably well and filled the brood chamber, therefore three nights ago, I put on the queen excluder and a super with frames.

Hive two is a swarm collection who just have a brood box on and some syrup as a supplement to build their numbers.

Today I have been out to check on their activity:

Hive one (nuc) is not out AT ALL. No guards on the entrance, nothing. On lifting the lid they're still all under the queen excluder. Busy, quiet, but busy.

Hive two (swarm collection) is out and about.

Weather is a mixed bag today, been very wet, then some warmer dry spells. Hasn't rained in several hours though.

What's going on do you think? My head says to just leave them alone and they'll sort themselves out and it's a culmination of weather and the fact they're a pretty large colony now so are probably doing some indoor work, and I don't need to worry, but I'd just like some advice from more experienced keepers please.

Thank you

 

[ratcatcher]

mine have days like that, yesterday a nuc with virgin queen where they had been busy on other days, none flying, today masses, I tend to leave them bee

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Different bees - caught swarm probably local mongrels or AMM ish not bothered by a bit of rain. Your nuc - where did you acquire them? Possibly soft shandy drinking Southern types or Italians hiding from the not ideal weather so decided on a lie in

 

[sharonh]

Okay, so I'm wondering what's going on here.

Story is:
I have a nuc that has done remarkably well and filled the brood chamber, therefore three nights ago, I put on the queen excluder and a super with frames.

Hive two is a swarm collection who just have a brood box on and some syrup as a supplement to build their numbers.

Today I have been out to check on their activity:

Hive one (nuc) is not out AT ALL. No guards on the entrance, nothing. On lifting the lid they're still all under the queen excluder. Busy, quiet, but busy.

Hive two (swarm collection) is out and about.

Weather is a mixed bag today, been very wet, then some warmer dry spells. Hasn't rained in several hours though.

What's going on do you think? My head says to just leave them alone and they'll sort themselves out and it's a culmination of weather and the fact they're a pretty large colony now so are probably doing some indoor work, and I don't need to worry, but I'd just like some advice from more experienced keepers please.

Thank you

Hi,
Sometimes you need to let the queen up into the super for a few days before the bees will start using it, in which remove your Q excluder for a few days. Then you can remove queen & put her back down in brood box & return your q excluder.
Another trick is to freshen your wax before putting super on with a hair dryer. Also you can lightly spray the wax in the super with some sugar syrup to encourage them up.
As for bees not out, I wouldn't worry too much, they are pretty good at knowing the weather in advance. Guard bees are only needed if the colony are at risk of robbing, if other bees from another colony were trying to get in or wasps. Bet if you gave the hive a tap with your hand, your guard bees will make themselves known.
Once they have all they need, food & space, they will be fine.
Both my colonies are not too busy today but its colder than recent days & windy and wet.
Sharon



Love Beekeeping <3

 

[Bosleeu]

Swarms are normally mad and very hard-working initially.

Last week a small cast swarm moved in to an old six-frame nuc I have and yesterday it was filled with comb, stores and the Queen was marked and laying already. They were going crazy whilst all the big colonies were just slowly filling their supers.

The other lot are maybe happy an secure with enough stores and not so keen to get wet. My colonies don't always do the same thing either, yet all seem to be doing well.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

 

[arwenevenstar]

Great!
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. That was kind of what my head was saying. I'll check them again at the weekend if the weather has been kinder and see if I need to remove the queen excluder or spray with sugar syrup.

I am LOVING this reply! Yes! You all know your bees so well. Nuc is from Sussex...soft shandy types and swarm is local and we're well 'ard up here!!! So funny!
Thanks guys!

Different bees - caught swarm probably local mongrels or AMM ish not bothered by a bit of rain. Your nuc - where did you acquire them? Possibly soft shandy drinking Southern types or Italians hiding from the not ideal weather so decided on a lie in