What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Nannysbees]

I noticed several queen wasps out and about today. Not sure that's a good idea yet. There can't be too much around to feed the larvae right now. I'm actually quite surprised to see any at all. They had a very tough time here last spring because it turned so cold after the queens had started nest-building.

James

They were out early last year

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Doesn’t OA corrode the mesh

I suppose it will eventually but I have yet had to replace any of mine

 

[enrico]

I’ve got a GasVap thingy so was thinking of either doing it from the top through the feeder hole in the crownboard or drilling a hole that I can plug through the base of the brood box?
Doesn’t OA corrode the mesh?

Yes it corrodes but better than mites!

 

[JamezF]

I’ve got a GasVap thingy so was thinking of either doing it from the top through the feeder hole in the crownboard or drilling a hole that I can plug through the base of the brood box?

I'm sure I read here recently that someone uses a modified crownboard design that allows the GasVap to be inserted through the side, but from the top of the hive. That seemed like quite a convenient method as it also makes for a more comfortable working height.

James

 

[victor meldrew]

I’ve got a GasVap thingy so was thinking of either doing it from the top through the feeder hole in the crownboard or drilling a hole that I can plug through the base of the brood box?
Doesn’t OA corrode the mesh?

I use UFEs I have a hole drilled in each brood box base .these holes I plug with an appropriately sized Rawl plug .

 

[Boston Bees]

Colony weights have declined significantly over the last few weeks. Three colonies have dipped under 5kg estimated stores, so added fondant to them.

The others are more like 7-10kg (plus the one with 20kg or so - oops), so monitoring them

 

[madasafish]

First really nice warm sunny day for 2 weeks - a balmy 10C
Fed mini nucs and nucs: main hives still have stores - five out of six have an unprecedented 7 frames bees (Lang jumbos so double a National brood)
Lots of crocus and snowdrops out.

 

[JamezF]

Been about 11°C here for most of the day and the hives are the busiest I've seen them so far this year. Yellow pollen coming in, but the ladies were also buzzing around the curly kale which isn't in flower yet, so I wonder if they were collecting water from rain trapped by the leaves.

James

 

[northyorkshire]

Weather was good enough to pay a quick visit today to replace the winter floors and un-nadir the supers on two colonies at the allotment. Didn't mess about doing an inspection as didn't want to chill the brood box. I've had hive wraps on over winter (they're on a fairly exposed rural site): I ended up removing one of the supers because, as you can see, it has become pretty mouldy. Did I insulate too well? Do I need to steam clean the frames and melt the wax down or is the drawn wax salvageable (this is the worst frame)? Thanks!

 

[Boston Bees]

Weather was good enough to pay a quick visit today to replace the winter floors and un-nadir the supers on two colonies at the allotment. Didn't mess about doing an inspection as didn't want to chill the brood box. I've had hive wraps on over winter (they're on a fairly exposed rural site): I ended up removing one of the supers because, as you can see, it has become pretty mouldy. Did I insulate too well? Do I need to steam clean the frames and melt the wax down or is the drawn wax salvageable (this is the worst frame)? Thanks!
View attachment 30808

I'd reuse those with no great concerns. Wax is completely fine. Bit of mould on the frame, that's all. Harmless.

 

[Wilco]

Observed the girls flying, they sound incredibly contented right now.

Please forgive the mess visible in the second video.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Please forgive the mess visible in the second video.

That’s terrible. How could you post that?
Think of the beginners

 

[Wilco]

That’s terrible. How could you post that?
Think of the beginners

I am sorry, I have brought shame upon my apiary.

 

[Moobee]

Could hear this hive before I could see it! This could be the one to split from this year and replace my lost hive from winter. Need to get the UFE on as soon as its warm enough too.

 

[JamezF]

Please forgive the mess visible in the second video.

There was mess?

James

 

[StephenT]

Checked a nuc that I thought would need another box and 6 frames on top and couldn’t see much in the way of brood. The queen was there with a fair amount of bees but she doesn’t seem to be laying apart from a small amount of drone brood, unless I’ve gone egg/brood blind over winter. Closed them up and left them to it for the time being. Bit of a disappointing start to the year.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

The queen was there with a fair amount of bees but she doesn’t seem to be laying apart from a small amount of drone brood

That doesn't sound good

 

[Wilco]

Checked a nuc that I thought would need another box and 6 frames on top and couldn’t see much in the way of brood. The queen was there with a fair amount of bees but she doesn’t seem to be laying apart from a small amount of drone brood, unless I’ve gone egg/brood blind over winter. Closed them up and left them to it for the time being. Bit of a disappointing start to the year.

It's still early so don't be too surprised if brood area is small and laying rate will increase as forage does. Also if your weather is anything like mine was today a lot will have been out foraging so sounds like a strong nuc. That being said, drone brood but not much else would be a bit of an alarm bell for me at the moment. Let us know what you find next time.

 

[Boston Bees]

Checked a nuc that I thought would need another box and 6 frames on top and couldn’t see much in the way of brood. The queen was there with a fair amount of bees but she doesn’t seem to be laying apart from a small amount of drone brood, unless I’ve gone egg/brood blind over winter. Closed them up and left them to it for the time being. Bit of a disappointing start to the year.

You are down south so she should be laying plenty of visible capped worker brood by now. If you are only seeing drone brood you have a drone laying queen. This nuc is doomed. Sorry. It happens. Nothing you can do. Unless you are worried about disease you can just let them dwindle for couple more weeks, then shake out and autopsy. No point trying to merge them with another hive.

 

[Monbees]

There was mess?

James

Looks fine to me ...