What caused my colonies to fail?

[Do224]

Just a quick question. Is you winter configuration a double brood plus super?

Brood and a half. Then a super on top filled with fondant and insulation.

 

[Erichalfbee]

If for example I caught two small casts 5 days apart....could I just put them each in a bb and combine using the newspaper method? Would I need to find and kill one of the queens first or would it still work if I couldn’t find a queen?

I’ve always killed one queen. Listening to Murray’s talk for Somerset beekeepers he said he often doesn’t bother and leaves them to it. It’s not what we are taught but this is a guy who runs a phenomenal operation. Maybe we make too much of this idea that both queens will be killed or damaged.

 

[Erichalfbee]

How about disease though? Shouldn’t swarms of unknown origin be quarantined first? I’m in an EFB area, I wouldn’t want to add a tiny cast swarm to one of my colonies.

If I was in an EFB area I wouldn’t be setting bait hives at all.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Listening to Murray’s talk for Somerset beekeepers he said he often doesn’t bother and leaves them to it

Done it once or twice and the colonies were fine afterwards, one of them ended up a massive producing colony the following season

Maybe we make too much of this idea that both queens will be killed or damaged.

I think the wisdom out there now is that most of the time the workers stage manage the 'fights' to ensure one queen comes out relatively unscathed.

 

[user 20297]

I am still at the "every queen is sacred" stage of beekeeping though

I'm at the stage where I still count every living bee as a win.

 

[ericbeaumont]

get yourself a new mentor this year

I reckon you can do without.

 

[Newbeeneil]

I suppose this is personal preference, considering that most casts very often don't last and if it was later in the season even more so to requeen.

I disagree, all my swarms go into my isolation apiary, of the 5 that were in there at the start of winter I have lost 2 late ones that were weak. The other 3 are very busy and have loads of stores. If they are well behaved in the spring I certainly won't be requeening.
I like to give them a chance and see if they have traits I like,

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

If they are well behaved in the spring I certainly won't be requeening.
I like to give them a chance and see if they have traits I like,

I'm not one to run around collecting swarms but any that I do collect (or turn up at Brynmair - a regular event) They're given the chance to prove themselves before I decide on the queen's fate,
I still have some queens descended from the first swarm to arrive at Brynmair - they were like lambs, as were their descendants and were great for keeping at the training apiary, they were also prodigious honey producers, I have another from a swarm I rescued from a young lady's bush in Amanford although ever so slightly tetchy (the great grandaughter is much better) another good honey producer and produces the most wonderful white capped frames.

 

[user 20297]

I disagree, all my swarms go into my isolation apiary, of the 5 that were in there at the start of winter I have lost 2 late ones that were weak. The other 3 are very busy and have loads of stores. If they are well behaved in the spring I certainly won't be requeening.
I like to give them a chance and see if they have traits I like,

Although obviously size and timing of swarming appear to be the major factors, simply by surviving when other colonies have failed, they are showing a trait that I like.

 

[Do224]

I reckon you can do without.

To be honest I’ve gleaned far more from this forum and the BMH YouTube channel than I have from face to face conversations with other beekeepers.

 

[Do224]

I disagree, all my swarms go into my isolation apiary, of the 5 that were in there at the start of winter I have lost 2 late ones that were weak. The other 3 are very busy and have loads of stores. If they are well behaved in the spring I certainly won't be requeening.
I like to give them a chance and see if they have traits I like,

what do you think caused your weak ones to perish in the end…not enough bees, varroa, starvation? Or a combination…

 

[Newbeeneil]

what do you think caused your weak ones to perish in the end…not enough bees, varroa, starvation? Or a combination…

To be honest, starvation, I was in hospital during a critical time during feeding for winter and a number of my hives were too light.

 

[Arfermo]

I don’t see the need. He’s a beginner. It’s nice to see how they get on. I love catching them and seeing how they grow. They do get requeened in their second year sometimes.
I have a small prime and a cast from the wild bees on the potting shed roof. I’m itching to see how they do this season. The prime queen would be in her third year so I will probably replace her with a queen from Murray

Got a phone number for 'Murray' please as I need at least one NICE Q to replace a swarmed job from 2020 that didn't do much last year..

 

[ericbeaumont]

I recall from Murray's recent Zoom for Cambridge BKA that Denrosa & Jolanta queens will be sold through Black Mountain Honey, although Denrosa will continue to supply beefarmers (usually in bulk). Looks like BMH queens will be available in April at the earliest.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Got a phone number for 'Murray' please as I need at least one NICE Q to replace a swarmed job from 2020 that didn't do much last year..

Eric is right. Pre order from Laurence.

 

[Do224]

Did the second vape today. This was the inspection tray showing the drop since Tuesday. Is the debris likely to be all brood cappings or cappings from stores, or is it impossible to tell?

very few varroa from what I can see

 

[Curly green finger's]

Brood cappings I can see and bits of fondant
Or crystalized stores and brood cappings

 

[Do224]

Brood cappings I can see and bits of fondant
Or crystalized stores and brood cappings

How can you tell they’re brood cappings…colour? Is that a normal amount to see over a couple of days at this time of year? Seems a lot to me but I have no idea…

 

[Curly green finger's]

Colour and where there positioned on the frame.

How can you tell they’re brood cappings…colour? Is that a normal amount to see over a couple of days at this time of year? Seems a lot to me but I have no idea…

 

[Erichalfbee]

How can you tell they’re brood cappings…colour? Is that a normal amount to see over a couple of days at this time of year? Seems a lot to me but I have no idea…

Brood cappings have propolis in them and are brown ish.
Stores cappings are clear so have little colour.
Certainly this time of year you can get one on top of the other as brood and stores are on the same frame.