Wintering bees

[fenster]

I have 2 hives which both have two deep brood boxes each. When I opened the hives last week to do Oxalic acid treatment I noticed that on one, the colony is concentrated in the lower box and in the other in the upper box. Is that significant either now or for later when the colony starts to increase? I'm guessing it is to do with where the stores are because the box I had to remove was light. I didn't disturb the hive with the bees on top.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

why did you have to remove the box?

 

[wilvaughan18]

I tend to also use a brood box and a stores chamber for getting them through winter, like jenkinsbrynmair, curious why you opened the box? Even if I think that I might have a lost colony I don't open up as there is nothing I can really do, the only advantages are that I know and I can clean the boxes earlier. The disadvantage is that they would have been fine, but not now I have broken the seals and shocked them. If you are curious, a perspex crown board is good so you can see in the hive without opening.

 

[Macbear]

I tend to also use a brood box and a stores chamber for getting them through winter,

My way, too. It starts with the strict principle that the first super belongs to the bees - as there's plenty of OSR around me and it flowers pretty early. OSR is of more use to them than to me. Later, they clean out any wet supers from which a harvest was taken and extra feed can be available when the hive is in winter configuration from late September.
Clearing up in my garage, this afternoon, I discovered some perspex - hopefully I will have opportunity to use it for crown boards in the near future as that has been a dream for a year, but other things have taken precedence.

 

[enrico]

I think the op means he removed the top box to drizzle on the bees in the bottom box as that was where they were.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I think the op means he removed the top box to drizzle on the bees in the bottom box as that was where they were.

an unwise and unnecessary move - just trickle the syrup down between the combs from the top

 

[enrico]

an unwise and unnecessary move - just trickle the syrup down between the combs from the top

That I don't doubt, just trying to help you understand what he meant

 

[Peter Murless]

My way, too. It starts with the strict principle that the first super belongs to the bees - as there's plenty of OSR around me and it flowers pretty early. OSR is of more use to them than to me. Later, they clean out any wet supers from which a harvest was taken and extra feed can be available when the hive is in winter configuration from late September.
Clearing up in my garage, this afternoon, I discovered some perspex - hopefully I will have opportunity to use it for crown boards in the near future as that has been a dream for a year, but other things have taken precedence.

What, pray, may OSR be, squire?

 

[Erichalfbee]

What, pray, may OSR be, squire?

Oil seed rape. Americans call it canola

 

[ericbeaumont]

Is that significant either now or for later when the colony starts to increase?

Yes.

the box I had to remove was light

Usual reason is that the upper box is full of stores, preventing the nest moving upward into warmth below the crownboard. Is the CB sealed and insulated?

So long as the nest is strong I would leave well alone; in due course the queen will fill the bottom box and move up into the top box; at that stage you would be wise to add at least one super if spring nectar is coming in.

If on a dry windless day of 12C your quick check reveals a weaker colony, consider transferring it into a 6 frame poly nuc.

The colony nest located in the upper box is likely to have eaten the stores and made space to move up, and the bottom box may well be empty. At that magical moment not to be found in books, when a lightbulb in your head tells you that spring has arrived, swap the boxes over so the empty is on top. As bees object to empty space above, they will fill it, either with brood or nectar. Your preference is for brood, so add a super or two on top.

Once nectar is coming in, be prepared to take out excess stores from any colony BB; if you delay, rapid congestion is likely to lead to swarming.