Apr
16

Weekly Inspection – mid April

Observations:

Weather: Has been very chilly at times and also very warm. Not much rain. Early season has been good for the bees.

Forage: Lots of trees in bloom, especially Blackthorn, Pear and Apple and Chesnut is just starting. Dandelion in bloom everywhere.

My inspections have been a bit sporadic and I’m only just starting to get into weekly inspections. Key activity so far has been to make sure colonies have enough space for brood and also storing nectar. I’ve also had early swarming signs and in fact manage to capture a prime swarm issuing from one of my own hives. I thought I had taken down al but 1 queen cell.

I’ve also managed to capture a swarm in my bait hive – I’d only put it up a couple days before and was surprised to find a reasonable size swarm take up residence – not my bees.

I seem to have a few bad tempered colonies, including one absolute nightmare, so plan on requeening these asap. Tried to start my queen rearing with the nicot system but the queen didn’t lay in the cups. I will try grafting over the next couple of days.

Hive Record
Colony
Q
BIAS
Brood
Stores
CommentNext Inspection
AquaNY10 (3+7) frames of BIAS & a lot of eggs.Plenty in the brood box, but added a super.Possible split candidate.Check on brood expansion and decide if splitting.
BlueYY8 frames of BIAS starting to work the superDidn’t lay up the Nicot cage. Would like to use this as a Queen rearing as it exhibited. VSH traitsSplit and graft.
CyanNN5 franes capped brood no eggs or larvae. 1 capped QC and 4 torn down.OK but not working superLooks to be queenless.Check at weekend for emerged queen.
EmeraldNY7 frames of BIAS plus cells in the eke.plenty in brood framesnot working the 2nd BB, just storing nectardecide of keepimng 2nd BB or replace with super
FlaxYY8 frames of BIAS starting+ eke. A lot of drone brood. Super 2/3 fullWill do Bailey Comb Change to get rid of frames with drone brood . High varroa count 6 in 40 uncapped cellsDo BCC
LimeNN6 franes of capped brood - no eggs or larvae. 7 capped queen cells taken down to 1??Just working 2nd BB.If colony swarmed then 2nd BB may not be needed.Check on emerged queen at weekend And size of colony
MaroonYY8 frames of BIAS starting- has expanded really quickly2 frames in BBHas expanded but now no space, added supercheck on expansion
RubyYY7 frames of BIAS + drone trap frame, lots of eggssuper 3/4 full so added 2ndgoing well, may need to splitcheck on space.