One of our Qualified young beekeepers, Mason, made the most of the unusually good weather to make 'probably' the last full inspection of our colonies before they are closed down for the winter.
At this time of the year we check our colonies to make sure they are 'Queen right' that means they have a viable queen who is laying and will get the colony through the winter. We also check that the Varroa counts are under control... the hives are weather proof and most importantly, the bees have enough stores to get them through until spring.
Out of our 6 colonies, 4 were all good, heavy with stores, queens happy and all looking set for the Cumbrian winter....
Two however are a little worrying... One colony has decided not to store anything for the winter... not even the syrup we have been feeding. We have insulated the colony, put on a HUGE slab of fondant and strapped them down... all we can do is hope for the best and keep checking the weight through the winter...
The other cause for concern is Hive 2... previously one of our happiest colonies! Mason couldn't find a queen or brood... a bit worrying.... Hopefully she is in there somewhere, just not laying due to the Varroa treatment, so we are giving her the benefit of the doubt and will check again in a week...
If Hive 2 does turn out to be 'Queenless' we will have to unite the colony with another if they are to have any hope of making it through... Cross your fingers everyone!
Really proud in school we have so many talented young beekeepers to look after and care for our bees.
At this time of the year we check our colonies to make sure they are 'Queen right' that means they have a viable queen who is laying and will get the colony through the winter. We also check that the Varroa counts are under control... the hives are weather proof and most importantly, the bees have enough stores to get them through until spring.
Out of our 6 colonies, 4 were all good, heavy with stores, queens happy and all looking set for the Cumbrian winter....
Two however are a little worrying... One colony has decided not to store anything for the winter... not even the syrup we have been feeding. We have insulated the colony, put on a HUGE slab of fondant and strapped them down... all we can do is hope for the best and keep checking the weight through the winter...
The other cause for concern is Hive 2... previously one of our happiest colonies! Mason couldn't find a queen or brood... a bit worrying.... Hopefully she is in there somewhere, just not laying due to the Varroa treatment, so we are giving her the benefit of the doubt and will check again in a week...
If Hive 2 does turn out to be 'Queenless' we will have to unite the colony with another if they are to have any hope of making it through... Cross your fingers everyone!
Really proud in school we have so many talented young beekeepers to look after and care for our bees.
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