What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Goran]

Few pics..

 

[Curly green finger's]

Few pics..

I do love colourfull boxes Goran nice pictures .

 

[Goran]

I do love colourfull boxes Goran nice pictures .

It is common here. I use now only water based for wood ( allowed in organic beekeeping also)..

 

[deemann1]

It is common here. I use now only water based for wood ( allowed in organic beekeeping also)..

Nice pics
Do you have 2 entrance on all your hives ? Any benefit?

 

[Goran]

Nice pics
Do you have 2 entrance on all your hives ? Any benefit?

In season we place framed QE with entrance, again it is common here. Drones would clog the qe if there is no way out. Bees use both entrances. In strong forage I believe is better. When is strong flow, not rarely beeks remove complete entrance block on bottom board - wide open front. Hopefully this season I can show you that..

Off the season, qe are out. Cluster is in the upper box. Entrance on bottom board.
I usually prepare this way for winter ( box with empty frames down and brood box up).

 

[deemann1]

In season we place framed QE with entrance, again it is common here. Drones would clog the qe if there is no way out. Bees use both entrances. In strong forage I believe is better. When is strong flow, not rarely beeks remove complete entrance block on bottom board - wide open front. Hopefully this season I can show you that..

Off the season, qe are out. Cluster is in the upper box. Entrance on bottom board.
I usually prepare this way for winter ( box with empty frames down and brood box up).

Sounds like a good method, it helps prevent the brood box getting honey bound too

 

[Goran]

Sounds like a good method, it helps prevent the brood box getting honey bound too

It has its good and bad sides, but I used to work so - when it become routine you don't try to change.. You just try to do it fastest and proven.. to move onto other jobs..

 

[enrico]

Sounds like a good method, it helps prevent the brood box getting honey bound too

It does make alot of sense! Never really considered it as a semi permanent feature!
Love yours pictures Goran
E

 

[beeno]

My bees make many entrances by chewing the poly hives!

 

[Madge]

My bees make many entrances by chewing the poly hives!

I guess you must have Paynes poly hives!

 

[Erichalfbee]

I guess you must have Paynes poly hives!

When I had Payne’s hives the bees used to chew under the entrance block

 

[Angry_Mob]

Fed all the nucs, lost a weak colony which I suspect was a drone layer and then isolation starvation.

 

[deemann1]

Did a round of vaping all colonies

 

[The Poot in Somerset]

Added fondant to two. Checked inspection boards to determine what's going on.
Quite clear little clustering has occurred and today loads of bees flying.
Not what I expected of the middle of January.
Bees on mahonia and viburnum tinus.

 

[mike99]

Took the roof off the hives and peeked through the CB holes and they are still clustered and have fondant left so that is a relief after these storms.
I must get some clear CB's for next winter. it would make things so much easier.

 

[madasafish]

Took the roof off the hives and peeked through the CB holes and they are still clustered and have fondant left so that is a relief after these storms.
I must get some clear CB's for next winter. it would make things so much easier.

Until you see no bees visible as they down in the middle of the hive..
And the same the next time..
And so on..

I just heft and feed fondant if needed.

No point in worrying as I can't do anything apart from feeding.

Besides, it's been raining most of the time since October...

 

[Goran]

Today we are starting making fondants.. Bakery is back in business..

 

[Millet]

Checked the two garden nucs for fondant..one is looking really good the other smaller one not so good.. i spotted a drone which happened to a colony last year..that said colony had a tiny unmated drone laying Queen come spring..i hope it is not the same story with this 2019 bought in Queen.

 

[drex]

Just topped up fondant on my nucs. Have lost one out of the seven, but not surprised as it was gradually weakening. All others doing well. Main colonies still a good weight, double brood, with plenty of stores going into winter. I do not expect to have to feed these at all, and in spring any left over stores will go to the nucs and excess brood in the nucs into the production colonies.

 

[citrus]

Just topped up fondant on my nucs. Have lost one out of the seven, but not surprised as it was gradually weakening. All others doing well. Main colonies still a good weight, double brood, with plenty of stores going into winter. I do not expect to have to feed these at all, and in spring any left over stores will go to the nucs and excess brood in the nucs into the production colonies.

Hi Drex ..qq for you

what you do mean by "excess brood in the nucs into the production colonies"