Too late

JohnyP · Aug 21, 2014

I just came back from holiday in Chilly France and anxiously looked at 2 of my hives which had developing queen cells and no brood when I left 2 weeks ago.

One hive has as a few bees but no vital signs whatsoever so will be a gonna

The other one has a fresh fat queen running around but no brood or eggs. If I can get her into lay with some feeding is it too late for her to produce winter bees? Obviously I'll try with the feeding anyway and see what happens, but just wondered if I'm wasting my time (and sugar). Thanks all.

enrico · Aug 21, 2014

There is loads of time for her to build up in Somerset! Don't panic!the other one may well have a queen who has not mated yet. It has been cool here!
E

Cazza · Aug 21, 2014

JohnyP said:
The other one has a fresh fat queen running around but no brood or eggs. If I can get her into lay with some feeding is it too late for her to produce winter bees? Obviously I'll try with the feeding anyway and see what happens, but just wondered if I'm wasting my time (and sugar). Thanks all.

Feeding will not help her to begin laying, unless your bees are starving.
Nothing you can do, just wait.
When do you expect her to begin to lay?
Cazza

beeno · Aug 21, 2014

Hi JonnyP,
Winter bees are the ones that emerge in September and October. I went into winter last year with next to no winter bees and no pollen on two hives. It is the rearing of brood that ages the bees. Miraculously, they both came through. However, they were strong colonies in August! Bees live 5-6 months in the winter, but you need a large enough cluster to start off with. Make sure they have enough food, but leave enough room for brood. All to play for. Good luck.

jenkinsbrynmair · Aug 21, 2014

enrico said:
There is loads of time for her to build up in Somerset! Don't panic!the other one may well have a queen who has not mated yet. It has been cool here!
E

As Enrico - loads of time yet it's August - still summer! plenty of time for queens in either hive to mate, and they will continue laying well into September for your 'winter bees' one word of caution, unless varroa loads are high, personally I would think seriously about not treating now as any mucking around with apiguard could well put a fresh queen off her lay at a crucial time - plan for OA in midwinter.
Unless stores levels are very low,leave well alone for a few weeks