- Joined
- Aug 8, 2009
- Messages
- 234
- Reaction score
- 2
- Location
- South Yorkshire
- Hive Type
- 14x12
- Number of Hives
- 1 Nat & 1 WBC
Went to check my hives today. Was going to open up quickly and have a look to see how things are in both hives...but when I got there I found that somebody has been in the barn where I keep some of my kit and stolen my smoker.
In the end, given the lack of a smoker and my cowardly nature, I just did a quick observation outside both hives, and also checked how the fondant was going (put it on three weeks ago to be on the safe side) with a quick peek in the top of both hives. However, what I did see was three drones milling around amongst the other bees bringing in the pollen etc (it was around 12'C, sunny, but windy, and then started to rain).
My question is, is it likely that the the queen (or someone else's for that matter - assuming they can travel far in this weather) has started laying drones...or is it more likely she is now only laying drones? There were plenty of females around, which in honesty, doesn't really help me work out what is going on.
Has anybody else seen drones yet?
For extra info, they have only used up about one fifth of the fondant I put on.
I know there is not much I am going to attempt to do until I have my smoker and / or much better weather...but it is making me wonder what to expect when I go over next weekend
Sally
In the end, given the lack of a smoker and my cowardly nature, I just did a quick observation outside both hives, and also checked how the fondant was going (put it on three weeks ago to be on the safe side) with a quick peek in the top of both hives. However, what I did see was three drones milling around amongst the other bees bringing in the pollen etc (it was around 12'C, sunny, but windy, and then started to rain).
My question is, is it likely that the the queen (or someone else's for that matter - assuming they can travel far in this weather) has started laying drones...or is it more likely she is now only laying drones? There were plenty of females around, which in honesty, doesn't really help me work out what is going on.
Has anybody else seen drones yet?
For extra info, they have only used up about one fifth of the fondant I put on.
I know there is not much I am going to attempt to do until I have my smoker and / or much better weather...but it is making me wonder what to expect when I go over next weekend
Sally