Should I be concerned???

[Mr T-Bone]

My 4 hives,

#1 colony old established hive that had been abandoned and unattended for 6+ years. replaced all woodenware this spring except a few brood frames that were not delapidated. 90% capped brood.

#2 colony bought this spring 5 frames of bees & queen, 80%-90% capped brood.

#3 colony captured swarm. gave them a frame of capped and emeging brood for a boost, 70% capped brood.

#4 colony captured swarm. gave them a frame of capped and emeging brood for a boost, 60-70%% capped brood.

I added 1 super on all of them a month and a half ago. the summer flow is nearly over. They have not even begun to draw out any comb in the supers. I fed all of them and am still feeding #4. Did I stop feeding them too soon? Why aren't they working in the supers? Am I just a worry wart and need to leave them alone? I have all of them in a single deep 10 frame, with one super.

[Michael Bush]

Either there isn't a flow or you have queen excluders on. smile.gif

[Mr T-Bone]

Thanks again... :cool: :cool: :cool:

[tecumseh]

mr t bone sezs:
Did I stop feeding them too soon? Why aren't they working in the supers? Am I just a worry wart and need to leave them alone? I have all of them in a single deep 10 frame, with one super.

tecumseh thinks out loud:
well I am uncertain as to when the above units were acquired or how much and when you began to feed but here are my thoughts on your situation mr t bone.

the season is such in north louisiana that you need to really juice the girls up early if you think you will catch a crop (or pull any foundation). timing and quantity of feed are everything. with a decent size cluster (much of what one says about feeding will depend on initial condition of the hive) in the fall I would think 1 to 2 quarts per week begining in january thur march should bring the hive up to adequate strength to catch the short flow (april and may) in northern louisiana.

I say this really not having asked as to whether the hives current location could possible be right smack dab in the middle of a solid (as far as the eye can see) pine forest. In which case I would most likely suggest that you search for another location.