Poly Nuc - Over Active & Feeding Fondant

[Macdee]

Hi there

I have a poly nuc that seems to be very active and getting lighter.
I think they have become more active since the kingspan went on.

Should I take the kingspan off to slow them down ?

Also what is the best way to feed them fondant in the poly nuc, I can't add a eke ?

Cheers

Al

 

[Poly Hive]

You certainly can add an eke and no need for that extra insulation.

My ekes will be going on in the next two weeks. On three different types of poly nucs two of which are identical to yours.

PH

 

[user 6228]

I would advise keep conditions as stable as possible. I.e. the insulation level is the same all year. Putting it on taking it off frequently has been proven to stress the colony.

 

[Ian123]

The bees will be the judge how active they are and consumption of fondant if in contact with the cluster is normal.

 

[Madge]

Hi there

I have a poly nuc that seems to be very active and getting lighter.
I think they have become more active since the kingspan went on.

Should I take the kingspan off to slow them down ?

Also what is the best way to feed them fondant in the poly nuc, I can't add a eke ?

Cheers

Al

According to the first photo, it seems to me you do have an eke. What are you using that space for now - or do you have 14x12 frames? If so, buy another eke to use for feeding. You can either feed fondant as PH is doing directly above the frames, or you can cut a hole in the clear plastic crown board, and place the fondant above the hole, underneath a tub of some kind, and fill the empty space with insulation (rather than your present set-up with a slab of insulation above the roof).

 

[Macdee]

14x12 frames :>

I didn't know I could put a second eke on top of the existing one when frames are in; maybe I should have looked closer.

Will look at things tomorrow :>

Thanks
Al

 

[pargyle]

14x12 frames :>

I didn't know I could put a second eke on top of the existing one when frames are in; maybe I should have looked closer.

Will look at things tomorrow :>

Thanks
Al

Yes, the existing eke that converts the Paynes national nuc to a 14 x 12 nuc has the same lips at the top so the roof just sits on top of the eke. You can put your slab of kingspan in the eke which will make them very cosy and almost certainly slow down their consumption of stores as they won't need so much energy to maintain the temperature of the hive.

If you do need to continue to feed them you can do as suggested with a container above a hole in the crownboard .. but cut a hole in a pieice of insulation for the container to sit in and another piece on top of the container.

Those see through take away containers are ideal for feeding fondant above the crownboard as you can see how much they have taken and it's dead easy to swap an empty one for a full one without disturbing the bees .. slide one off and slide a fresh one on to the hole.

 

[Madge]

Also, Macdee, changing subject: looking at your first photograph - please change the log of wood for a strap. Strap the hive to the stand and, if possible, weigh the stand down with a sandbag or heavy stone. You may need to add a low crossbar to the stand to be able to do that.