REWERT
04-21-2009, 02:39 PM
I'm not sure I have an issue here but since I'm new (first try!) I'm hoping to get some 'expert' opinions. My setup: 2-40" KTBH's. Each hive has 3 side entrances, an observation window, Warre type quilt boxes, and follower board feeders (1:1). I have only one entrance opened and only 12 bars installed. I picked up the packages on last Thursday but couldn't install until Friday PM. One of the packages seemed a bit larger and more 'active' than the other. The installation went quite well for the first ever try. I direct released the queens (had excluder on the opening). The temps had been warm for Wisconsin (70's) and the bees were quite active through the day Saturday; even taking in pollen! The one (more active hive) seemed quite a bit congested at the entrance so Sunday (a bit cooler/overcast) I removed the excluders; made them a bit happier. Looking through the window I noticed they were all clustered on the top, directly opposite of the entrance (I had assumed the would begin building near entrances). I initially was concerned but just assumed they wanted the warmer side (nights get down to 30's). Sunday night through today the weather has been terrible-very windy, rainy, cold, AND SNOW. I checked the feeders yesterday(looked through window) and the stronger hive is almost gone; other about 1/2. The stronger hive is still clustered on top, back end of hive around the follower board feeder; I could see them taking syrup even with the bad weather. The thing most concerning me is the other hive was clustered only towards the top, back end also but not down to the feeder (taking syrup) like the other hive. Why wouldn't they be taking syrup like the other hive? Is there anything I should do? I will have to add more syrup tonight and the weather is supposed to break by tomorrow. I'm hoping this is normal cold, lousy weather behavior but I'd hate to lose a hive this soon. Thanks for any input!