jimbeekeeper
Queen Bee
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2008
- Messages
- 2,461
- Reaction score
- 8
- Location
- East Yorkshire
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 1
Given the break in the weather with a sensible 6 deg C, and also my own personal availability, I took the opportunity to treat my hives with my own measured 3.2% OA solution (7.5g OA 100g sugar and 100mls tepid water).
I also used the time to add a slab of fondant per hive, and add an empty super below the brood to act as a wind break/skirt. Something I have never done before but though I would try it.
The key was having everything ready for minimal disturbance of the bees.
I sat a spare OMF next to the hive, with the empty super on this, pre-charge the OA syringe ready (10ml i.e 2 seams) and place slab of fondant on spare crown board, remove roof then crown board tapping bees into empty super.
5ml OA added per seam of bees, VERY pleased with numbers 6 -7 frames well covered.
Crown board fitted with pre attached fondant, brood box cracked from original floor and lifted onto empty super/new floor, old floor removed. Hive slid back to original place and roof refitted with some Rockwool insulation underneath. Mouse guards re-fitted.
All floors had a reasonable carpeted of dead bees, but nothing of concern given the numbers in the broods, still good weight to the broods. Obviously no frames removed, but glancing down them whilst treating all looked well
In all, less than 2 minutes for the whole operation per hive.
Looking great for 2011
I also used the time to add a slab of fondant per hive, and add an empty super below the brood to act as a wind break/skirt. Something I have never done before but though I would try it.
The key was having everything ready for minimal disturbance of the bees.
I sat a spare OMF next to the hive, with the empty super on this, pre-charge the OA syringe ready (10ml i.e 2 seams) and place slab of fondant on spare crown board, remove roof then crown board tapping bees into empty super.
5ml OA added per seam of bees, VERY pleased with numbers 6 -7 frames well covered.
Crown board fitted with pre attached fondant, brood box cracked from original floor and lifted onto empty super/new floor, old floor removed. Hive slid back to original place and roof refitted with some Rockwool insulation underneath. Mouse guards re-fitted.
All floors had a reasonable carpeted of dead bees, but nothing of concern given the numbers in the broods, still good weight to the broods. Obviously no frames removed, but glancing down them whilst treating all looked well
In all, less than 2 minutes for the whole operation per hive.
Looking great for 2011