Weak Colonies

[linoleum bonypart]

Welsh Heathens....-

 

[Tom Bick]

Hi All,
I went into winter with 8 colonies. In hindsight I should have probably reduced this down to 4 or 5 stronger colonies rather that 8 weaker ones. Lack of experience maybe!
Anyway, I checked my hives 2 weeks ago on a slightly warmer day. There were bees in all hives. 2 hives were strong and I am not really concerned, but the other 6 had small numbers of bees. Maybe a softball sized cluster. I placed fondant directly above the bees and they are taking it. I have insulation on all hives and I have vaporised all with oxalic.
Since looking, we have had two very cold weeks. On Saturday there was some flying from all hives.
My question really is a) should I be concerned? and b) Is there anything else I can do at this stage to help? I do have a couple of brood frames of stores from autumn. Is opening them to put this in going to do more harm than good?

Plenty of cold nights ahead and a small cluster in a big box not a happy combination. I would reduce the unoccupied space with some insulated dummy boards to help them conserve heat and help with any brood they are attempting to raise.
You can later consider witch ones to combine as you said you should have done Last year or let them build up slowly.

 

[enrico]

Whilst I agree with earlier comments. Leave well alone as long as they have food. The queen will be laying by now, they don't need to be disturbed but need to build up slowly and in their own time. I have a hive that every winter I believe just can't possible make it. It dwindles down to practically nothing. But it builds quickly and is my best producer of honey every year. As long as they have food they can survive and will do everything they can to try and survive, by opening the hive to add insulation will just disturb their rhythm. As said already, note what they are like now and use that knowledge next year
Best of luck
E

 

[mark s]

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Welsh Heathens....-

says the mob who live on tripe and blood pudding (and who were given a sound drubbing by said heathens in 1485)

 

[Erichalfbee]

As long as they have food they can survive and will do everything they can to try and survive, by opening the hive to add insulation will just disturb their rhythm.
E

If you want to cosy them up a little put in the inspection board and block it off at the back, creating a solid floor.