Switching from cold-way to warm way

[BeeJayBee]

I followed the advice and made the switch. Also pinched a super of honey. After extraction I returned the wet super. A huge number of bees coated the front of the hive and resisted all attempts to get them to stay in.

Did you take off the clearer board before replacing the super? << Been there, done that!

 

[MuswellMetro]

Did you take off the clearer board before replacing the super? << Been there, done that!

and put a rhombus clearer on upside down, so the super fills with Bees LOL

 

[Norfolkbees]

Clearer board out, mesh floor, back to the size they were on Friday night but yes they were pretty jammed. I put a super of undrawn foundation on last night to make room. Perhaps it was simply that.

Thanks

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Errm - sorry - but did you put the super of undrawn foundation above the bb?

Can I ask what the bees are meant to do with that, other than physically move up into it?

Presuming your bees have sufficient stores*, you will not be wanting to go in to inspect them much more. There is no way, at this time of year, that they are going to do anything with that super. So, they will have a huge empty space above the brood box over winter, where the heat will rise from the brood and dissipate in the space.

*Of course, if they're light on stores, you will have to feed them, but they might be tempted to half-draw the foundations and store stuff there. But this is a divisive and rather futile task at this time of year.

Can I suggest that you go back soon and move the super under the brood box - so it becomes (trendy word of the year) a nadir?

The advantages are that:
- the bees can move down their till their numbers reduce,
- if they really do want to draw the foundation and store stuff, it is readily accessible and they will use it up first,
- the brood pattern in the brood box is not compromised by the additional space
- the nadir will act as a baffle below the bb over winter, keeping the worst of the draughts from the bottom of the brood.

Don't worry - no real problems here - just trying to prevent problems.

Oh - one last thing. To put the 'super' under the bb, you will have to move the bb. Just be careful the queen doesn't drop out of the bottom as you move it to and fro! Happened to me a few weeks ago - but luckily I saw her on the floor and popped Her back pdq!

Hope this helps.


Dusty

 

[itma]

As per Dusty's advice.

The ideal box to put below the brood would be that 'wet' super.
Use the clearing board again (if need be) to clear any extra box(es) remaining above the brood, then get them away.
And the usual reminder - no QX in the hive over winter …

 

[Bosleeu]

Can I simply turn the brood box? Looking to make the change this weekend. Will it mess with the brood, flight orientation etc?

Yes you can, and no, it should not.

 

[Pips]

I was going to change my frames from cold to warm as thought it might keep them warmer over winter. Is this a foolish/ pointless idea? They will have a nadir.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Hi Pips!

Good question - but testing shows the direction of frames makes no real difference.

As someone else said in a recent post, it's more important that the boxes/frames are orientated for the beekeeper's benefit - so that you can inspect forwards and backwards, rather than side to side.

Dusty

 

[REDWOOD]

I try to position and inspect hives with the sun behind me, that's what I find the easiest way

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I was going to change my frames from cold to warm as thought it might keep them warmer over winter. Is this a foolish/ pointless .

Pointless, yes. as Dusty - makes no real difference. Nowadays, with open mesh floors etc, it's just a figure of speech.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Pointless, yes. as Dusty - makes no real difference

How dare you, sir!

Step outside and say that!


Dusty