What did I do so wrong?

[steve1958]

No definite plan other than I extracted honey earlier this year so that I was able to do my varroa treatments earlier, thus leaving time afterwards for the Queen to lay up some new Brood.
(Sometimes varroa treatments stop the Queen laying).
I was careful how much I fed them to make sure the bees didn't fill the Brood space with stores.
And have continued to monitor their stores to make sure they don't starve.
I placed a small amount of fondant on each colony which I am using to help monitor.

Next year I may use oxalic acid vape rather than regular varroa treatments.

I did a very quick check of my colonies today and so far all is well.

 

[Paulypaul]

One thing I did differently this year was leaving a super of honey on the big colonies instead of feeding syrup.

Since feeding stimulates laying, is it possible switching to adding the pre-filled super instead of feeding, meant that you went into winter with lower populations than in past years, in the hive set-up you usually use for a much larger colony?

Also, can you remember if you noticed a lot of walkers on the ground in the autumn, heading directly away from the hives? - sometimes a sign of high viral load due to varroa.

 

[judy12]

Would it be useful to people if the posters put the date on their emails. I'd like to know when Steve posted his first message.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Would it be useful to people if the posters put the date on their emails.

Could you explain so I can point you in the right direction to look?
His first post ever is here
https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/threads/my-first-hive.1111/

 

[steveselvage]

Since feeding stimulates laying, is it possible switching to adding the pre-filled super instead of feeding, meant that you went into winter with lower populations than in past years, in the hive set-up you usually use for a much larger colony?

Also, can you remember if you noticed a lot of walkers on the ground in the autumn, heading directly away from the hives? - sometimes a sign of high viral load due to varroa.

I did feed some bought in syrup but didn't put it on until quite late,as there seemed to be a bit of a late flow, they definitely didn't go without food, I think the colonies that died out were stronger than last year to be honest.
It is a bit strange that the hives in the garden are all fine and they had exactly the same management.
I didn't notice any bees on the ground but probably wouldn't have seen them, the hives are on a bit of rough ground and the brambles I cleared in early summer soon grew back

 

[MeAndMyBees]

What is your current over wintering method?
I could do some tips from local beekeepers.
The ones I have left don't look too good

Hi there.
I have Nationals, Langstroths and a few Warre, Hives here in the the Scottish Borders Region : Rural.

I've only lost x1 Hive (Nat) with an unknown aged Queen. [Nov '23]
Hive purchased as a Pair + Bees. . . (From a Retiring : Beek Couple.)
Last Summer was so Wet here, that I mainly left as much Stores as
I could. Enough taken (for a few
Jars) for me and Family. And the local Bee Assc Show.
I equalled out the Weaker Hives, with a few carefully 'checked' Frames off Strong Colonies.*
Making sure their Queen* wasn't anywhere near on on said Frame !
Come late October, I took a look at each Colony re Size, Status, Stores etc. And made the Stronger Hives consilidate down to to Brood + Half Box status wise.
Any smaller than this was either a Full Box (Dummy-Down the outer Unused Frames by adding plenty of Capped Resources.
Adding only an 'extra' Deep Box (Shim for good top insulation purposes only) : Insulation Foam Block. With Centre rectangle Cut Out for placing Ample /or Topping up Dry Sugar.
Later in Feb, I will check / Peek at Bees 'crawling' re Activity. (Alive !?)
Then add a Slab of Bee Fondant.
In March, I will change it to a premade Fondant/Protein Slab. Or add Pollen Sub alongside remaining Fondant.
Then come, April, start feeding them some 1:1 Syrup. (We can get a last blast of Colder Weather being in a Hilly Area.) So liquid Feed given when Frosts are over.

I did an Oxalic "Trickle Treatment" to all Colonies, back in August.

Then now having Vaping Gear.Yes ! I then did an Oxalic Vape over x3 Weeks : (x Weekly space/Intervals.) at end of Nov, to 1st week of Dec.
(Previously I''d done these nearer to Christmas and New Year. But many suggest this is to late. V.M will have got a hold of the 'Colony' by then. . . )

I am Inland, by about x25 Miles from Costal Berwick upon Tweed.
(Just in the Scottish Borders.)
It's (fairly) dry here. Yes it Rains
but not as 'Dreich' (Dull/Wet) as what the West Coast experiences.
We do have it much Colder, Drier however.
So I guess : Good Hive Hygiene, good Feeding, using super Thick Top Insulation and a lot of hoping, will mean they come through. ()
It has worked the last x3 Winters to date. (Alas the odd one will be lost.)
I guess down South, their are more Bee Populated Areas, with more transmission of V.M, etc etc. . .

I always have several Poly Nucs with New(er) Queens, to hand, or available. (So I have enough "Starter" Material to make up any 'losses' come 'New Bee Season.'

I guess I am lucky : the Nearest Beek to me is over x10 Miles away.
So my Bees are somewhat 'or are' Isolated re V.M / Disease issues. Re : from other Bee keepers*.
(Those that are Registered or known* by, the Local Bee Assc.)

Raising my own Colonies, either Splits, or via "Queen Cell" use. As resulted in good Mated Queens.
The DCA's must be OK. [We have known Bee Breeder near by but that's still over x20 Miles away.]
So it must be the lay of the Land, the timing of Queen Rearing that's working. . . And Hive Genetics !?!
(Mainly Black Bees 60% with a Mongrel % in there also.)
(Over VQ's on 'Lunch Dates with AMM BB/Drones at Chain Bridge' !) Its to far South !
It's a Fabulous place to see the Bee Establishment and Exhibition. . .
(A worthwhile experience and have a Cuppa !) Really worth a Visit !

Maybe not today. . . Its SO COLD and it Snowed ! Think I need a Slab of Fondant (Sugar) and Thick Insulation (Covers) too. . .

Hope you Recover from your losses and have lots of thriving Hives soon. (Spring is coming soon !)