Worried about my bees

[freethorpe bees]

Oh yes ! I've almost convinced myself that I know what I'm doing!
for some reason the whole fondant thing confused me so always pleased to share now the light has dawned!

 

[tonybloke]

Oh yes ! I've almost convinced myself that I know what I'm doing!
for some reason the whole fondant thing confused me so always pleased to share now the light has dawned!

Yay!!

 

[Heather]

Heather?

If in doubt make sure even at the loss of a handful of bees.

Open mouseguard. Hammer hive, I mean it.

Mouse will run.

Cover mouse guard on again.

PH

Will do tomorrow...cheers- never thought of that -

 

[tberni]

I wrap my fondant in a couple of layers of kitchen foil and poke a small whole into it and place it over the crown board on top of a couple of small sticks to give it a slight gap between the fondant and the crown board entrance. On a warmer day, move it very slightly and the bees humm and it makes a micro phone noise. Always cheers me up to hear that.

 

[Arfermo]

Do you use open floors Afermo?

If in doubt as to the state of a wintering colony I uase a very basic trick I was taught many years ago.

A damn good thump to the side of the brood box will soon tell you what is alive and what is not.

KISS

PH

Naturally.

As a rider to my previous post, some time ago a beek advised me that to assist the ventilation of hives in winter, stick matches at the four corners under the crownboard. From the lengthy chat he and I had, I think he may have been quoting from something in his copy of A I Roots tome "The ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture". I have a reprint copy updated to 1947 but haven't checked. Perhaps I should but I wouldn't bother anyway and have had no problems that would make me change my modus operandi.

 

[tonybloke]

some time ago a beek advised me that to assist the ventilation of hives in winter, stick matches at the four corners under the crownboard.

that is really 'old-school' method!!

 

[oliver90owner]

stick matches at the four corners under the crownboard

I would use match sticks, or rather something a little less crushable but of that order of size - but I would put them under the brood box, not over it, if I were to need extra ventilation when using a solid floor. Gladly that problem does not arise with OMFs.

The bees go to great lengths to reduce top ventilation and along comes a beek and props up the lid. 'Great', think the bees!

RAB

 

[Poly Hive]

Old fashioned out of date and does the bees no good at all.

Open floors should be partnered by top insulation.

PH

 

[beaddoll18]

Good Evening all!

I went to feed my fondant to my bees today only to be greeted by about 50 of them flying round outside, there was a few of them sunbathing on the roof aswell! I think my bees are ok.
One question about my open mesh floor on my hive. The tray that you pull out to see varroas should this be out? I have had mine in the hive since November.

 

[oliver90owner]

Out. But that might depend on other things, like other ventilation.

If a good fit, you are basically operating as a solid floor?

RAB

 

[Vergilius]

Beaddoll,

It depends on your insulation... Open OMF is good winter ventilation, but it should be partnered with insulation over the CB.

If varroa tray is in you are basically operating with a more old fashioned wooden floor approach (like me)... which should be partnered with top ventilation.

If I were in your situation I would remove the tray and then insulate the top of the CB... Then you have pretty much the perfect winter config.

Ben P