What if away for March...

[bjosephd]

So after faulty frustrating queenless starts I managed to get two laying hives into winter and well fed, and have just put on fondant to help get things through to spring.

I'm hoping that they can both build up enough momentum to go double brood this coming season.

However, I am completely away for the month of March.

How would you experienced beeks out there fully prepare/set up by the 29th of Feb in order to be absent for the following month?

Chuck another empty brood box on each and hope for the best?

I could of course find a local beek to baybee sit, but for various reasons this might not be possible…

So assuming all I can do is prepare and leave alone for the month, what cunning tricks, plans, ideas, preparations come to mind?

 

[bjosephd]

I know of course it depends on the weather and all that jazz which we can't guess at this distance, but handy to have some ideas of the sorts of things I should be ready and prepared to do.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Just make sure they have enough stores for the time your away.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Just make sure they have enough stores for the time your away.

Can't see there being much more to do at that time of year, I don't usually even think about opening up until April

 

[RogueDrone]

Agree nothing to do really , slab of fondant mid Feb to start build up then by March the willow and hazel and other active spring plant will be feeding the bees. On your return do a full inspection, prior to poping on second BB once weather has warmed up towards end April.

 

[beeno]

Hazel out now in my locale as is prunus!

 

[bjosephd]

Cool thanks peeps.

That's easy... I've got some (probably over fancy) winter fondant stuff from 'Bloke River' bee supplies that I've just put on... if I've still got some left I'll put as much of that on them as I can before leaving and then see what I find when I get back!

Just need to make sure I have any additional BBs etc ready to go in case they are building up nicely nicely.

Probably good that I'm away then, since as a relative newby it'll keep me from opening them up temptingly on those sunny march days.

 

[Cazza]

I too will be away during March. My records tell me that I do very little active Beekeeping that month so I think all will be well. I will check for stores before I leave and bung on fondant if needed.
Cazza

 

[Millet]

Take them with you..

 

[Quis Custodiet]

Take them with you..

That is of course what he should do. Unfortunately the novice beekeepers of today want an easy life and easy solutions to problems, so these bees will be abandoned to their fate during his absence. What a sad reflection.

 

[Millet]

That is of course what he should do. Unfortunately the novice beekeepers of today want an easy life and easy solutions to problems, so these bees will be abandoned to their fate during his absence. What a sad reflection.

I was just messing about.. but then again there's many variables.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

That is of course what he should do. Unfortunately the novice beekeepers of today want an easy life and easy solutions to problems, so these bees will be abandoned to their fate during his absence. What a sad reflection.

and what absolute rubbish you write. Based no little or no knowledge of the bees, beekeeping, the time of year or little else but the urge to try and sound clever?

 

[Quis Custodiet]

I was just messing about.. but then again there's many variables.

There is many a true word spoken in jest. A suitcase is readily converted to function as a carry hive, in the manner of carry cages used by aviculturists at cage bird shows.
The hives will be far from populous at that time of year and there would be no difficulty in fitting them into one large suit case and taking them with him. Quite preposterous not to do so, in my opinion.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Well, in the absence of being able to give sound advice, I suppose talking bollox in the beginners section is better than nothing. There is precedence

 

[Quis Custodiet]

Well, in the absence of being able to give sound advice, I suppose talking bollox is better than nothing.

Congratulations, I never suspected it would be you who would swallow it hook line and sinker. Every one else realised, or at least suspected it was tongue in cheek, but you gave it both barrels.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I still stick by my statement - come back when you have something useful to say - or have managed to nurse a colony through at least one winter.
Regardless of you thinking you're very clever, this is the beginners section and someone may have believed your rubbish

 

[Quis Custodiet]

 

[Millet]

Don't mess with the Jenky you immortals ,

 

[Quis Custodiet]

Don't mess with the Jenky you immortals ,

Jenky is the immortal now. A suitcase converted into a travelling hive for bees, who would have thought he could believe it!

 

[alldigging]

I know of course it depends on the weather and all that jazz which we can't guess at this distance, but handy to have some ideas of the sorts of things I should be ready and prepared to do.

When did your bees swarm last year?