Thank you and Goodnight .....

[Tremyfro]

Sleep well this winter little bees.
It was our last inspection today of our 3 polyhives.
Hive 1 ...didn't see Queen but plenty of eggs, BIAS on 8 frames, stores. All the drones occupying the outer frames. Still some drone brood...checked for varroa...none seen. Bees looked healthy. Quiet today...no smoke required. This is our lively hive so it was very pleasant today. Nadired the half brood box, which had honey and nectar stores in it to use up and some brood yet to emerge. Removed a super with honey stores.
Hive 2 ....Queen seen...at last...haven't seen her for ages. Eggs seen plus BIAS on 8 frames. Lots of drones. Some stores but a little light for going into winter. Nadired the half brood box, which had quite a lot of stores. Removed a super with a little capped honey but mainly uncapped nectar. This we will store for later feeding back. Such a pleasure to work with these bees. No smoke required.
Hive 3 ..the Nuc......Queen not seen but eggs seen plus BIAS on 6 frames now. Changed Apilife Var pads. It's turned all the comb bright yellow! Bees busy munching the homemade fondant. Some stores being made again. More comb being made. Bees very active....virtually no drones in this hive and no drone brood being made. If this hive doesn't fill the rest of the frames we will pad it out with insulation.
After we had scraped all the honey off the frames we gave them back to Hive 3 to clean up.....since they were requiring feeding.
So there we are....all done for this year bar checking stores and feeding if necessary. We are hoping they will pack in some ivy when it starts to flower around here. Just need to finish varroa treatment on Hive 3 and keep a close eye on their stores. All the girls were out today on the HB again.
Another 12 pounds of honey added to our hoard of gold. We have 10 frames of uncapped nectar to put in the freezer...which can be fed back to the girls. Also, a pile of cappings/wax for them to clean up.
Having made our ekes yesterday...after lots of help from the forum! We were able to nadir the Paynes hive without cutting off the lugs. We have 2 ekes left so can use them to top feed the cappings or for fondant when necessary.
This is our first summer of beekeeping...it has been huge fun, excitement, scary and triumphant bits. Now the biggest challenge is to get them all through the winter successfully. A big thank you to everyone who contributed to our education about the honey bee.

 

[REDWOOD]

Putting the kids to bed early, mine are still out foraging big time and all before the Ivy

 

[Swarm]

Pretty much over here, the Balsam is fading fast and Ivy yet to flower. Looks like it's going to be an interesting month.

They sound happy enough Trem, with Ivy to come as well.
(btw, remember the old saying ...Eggs is brood )

 

[Tremyfro]

Well....yes...just the last brood box inspection. No more disturbance of the brood. The girls are out foraging...but just for themselves now. Needed to nadir the half brood boxes, check stores situation, remove last honey supers, and health check. Hives 1 and 2 have had their varroa treatment. There is lots of space for them to store more if they can. Just hoping we don't get another wet cold snap until after the last nectar flows.
We need to rearrange the apiary a bit.....but are going to do this during their winter slumber parties.

 

[TOBY-3652]

Pretty much over here, the Balsam is fading fast and Ivy yet to flower. Looks like it's going to be an interesting month.

They sound happy enough Trem, with Ivy to come as well.
(btw, remember the old saying ...Eggs is brood )

did the balsam bring any honey in?? I have got some on it and will be fetching home thurs

 

[Tremyfro]

I don't know that saying Swarm....what does it mean exactly?
There was lots of sealed brood in both main hives and a fair amount of babies....not huge amounts of eggs...as earlier in the summer. How many more cycles of brood do you think we will still get? Another 2 or 3?

 

[Ely]

I did my final inspection for the season about a week ago now. I'll heft from now on to see if they have enough stores. Oxalic around Christmas time

 

[Floyd]

Well done on your first year. I have enjoyed reading your posts documenting your trials and tribulation of your first year.

Was nice to see a beginner posting on the forum and who accepted the quite rightly earned right of some memebers that were maybe slight more matter of fact than others. They take the time to share their wealth of their knowledge which has obviously helped you and has assisted me in getting through my 4th season.

Now your into survival mode, I find that Fondant covers any mistakes. If they dont need it they dont use it.

See you next year with your year two questions and concerns.

 

[Swarm]

I don't know that saying Swarm....what does it mean exactly?
There was lots of sealed brood in both main hives and a fair amount of babies....not huge amounts of eggs...as earlier in the summer. How many more cycles of brood do you think we will still get? Another 2 or 3?

Just that eggs are considered brood, therefore BIAS includes eggs.

TOBY-3652,
I hope you get a decent return. Balsam flowered as early as June and there is less in these parts of South Wales than further West. August has been dire and they've used a lot of stores, so I'm bringing in less than anticipated. I noticed they were still on Balsam from somewhere on the weekend but no great flow.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Same here, August has depleted most stores and the few supers I left on to cap have yielded nothing. Two are now nadired. Bees still coming in white-dotted but no flow. Balsam is looking decidedly done. Ivy is maybe two weeks away yet. As three of my hives were light, one with absolutely no stores all of them have had a little syrup.

 

[Tremyfro]

And I am sure, Floyd, that my queries, trials and tribulations will be many! ha ha. It's been a fab year...busy...what with moving house and living in the caravan for 7 months whilst work went on in the house. The bees have made it just a bit special.
Swarm...I knew eggs were part of BIAS but in my mind...I sort of separate them to ensure I see them and record it...then I know the Queen is in there somewhere even if we don't see her! Thank you for all your helpful comments...it is lovely to know there is someone who will pick up on anything we miss.....and remind us. Even though I have read a lot and have a little practical experience....there are many occasions when things can go wrong. I will feel so pleased if we can get all 3 hives safely through the winter.