Queen help and brood pattern (pics)

[bellabee]

-- THANK YOU --

For everyones help so far

 

[SimonB]

I guess next year will should split the hive then? Or should we do this this year?

As a relative novice I don't think I can offer any further advice than already given. However it seems to me the consensus is that you need to get the colony looked at by an experienced beekeeper now, not be thinking about next month, let alone next year.

Do you know how to get a varroa loading estimate using a varroa floor (assuming you're using an open mesh floor)?

If you do have disease you have an obligation to other beekeepers to ensure it is treated as soon as possible. I see many people recommend asking the local bee inspector to visit, perhaps this is an option for you.

The bee with one wing longer than the other - could this have been a clipped queen? When did you see her?

 

[bellabee]

Hello Simon B,

Thank you or your reply, we will be getting someone to look asap, as soon as the weather clears.

We have an open mesh floor at present, so will put the white tray underneath to see for verroa as well.

Do you know how to contact your local bee inspector or if this will cost anything?

Thanks in advance

 

[bellabee]

Clipped Queen, just looked at some pictures of a CQ and it seems one wing is lots shorter than the other, our bee there was not much in it, I think it was just damaged and clung on to me, as the shorter wing hung down. We saw it after we closed up the hive.

 

[SimonB]

Find your Regional Bee Inspector or a Seasonal Bee Inspector for your region here

https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/public/Contacts/contacts.cfm

If that link doesn't show up properly, Google for BeeBase and then follow the "Apiary Inspections & Training" link under Contents.

Hope that helps

 

[bellabee]

thank you

 

[oliver90owner]

You wrote: I guess next year will should split the hive then?

and we will be getting someone to look asap, as soon as the weather clears.

It could be more urgent than waiting for the weather to clear and if you wait, the risk of not having a colony to split next year is rising with all the time you waste.

Do it now.

RAB

 

[bellabee]

Can we go in rain?

 

[bellabee]

That would be a bad idea!

 

[bellabee]

oliver90owner,

Can you give me a run down of what we are looking for at this stage please

I have contacted the bee ins. just waiting for a reply now.

Keep you posted.

 

[oliver90owner]

The bee inspector will quickly sort out whether you have something more serious than a bad varroa infestation. He she will advise on whatever they find.

I suspect varroa as the usual main problem, but could not be sure from your description and pics.

I do think, however, your hive/colony is in trouble and needs a fix before it collapses completely. An inspection from an experienced beek, such as a bee inspector, will be done and dusted in a very short time-span.

The LBI was checking some colonies in a downpour last week, while he visited me - we had started, so we finished the job. It is not a great problem to him/her or the bees. Standing upwind (or brolly even!).

I suggest you read up all you can about varroa and I hope that is the only problem with your colony.

RAB

 

[bellabee]

Thanks RAB

 

[bellabee]

-- Update --

Ok called the bee inspector, she seems to think slight verroa and re queening. We looked last night and took some more pictures, we saw:

* Queen eggs, laid bottom cells
* More bees
* Covered worker cells - which we opened and saw pearly white grubs (YAY) we checked a few and saw lots of white grubs, we opened some of the dented cells and they were fine also.
* Grubs of all ages
* A fuller brood pattern.

Hurrah for now:


http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2772/img7553ch.jpg

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/9352/img7554u.jpg

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/8020/img7556d.jpg

Thanks for you your help again,