No Drones?

[icodebot]

I inspected my hive a month ago and saw some obvious drone cells. This month I don't see any drones or any more drone cells. Is this an indication of anything?

Progression of the hive is kind of slow as well. I have a deep and 2 mediums. The last medium I put on a month & 1/2 ago, and I don't think they even have 1 frame completely drawn, although a lot of partials. I put the last medium on when the lower 2 boxes were 80% drawn, and in use.

There is lots of honey and brood in the bottom 2 boxes, but there are some un-drawn empty frames on the sides, even in the bottom deep. I've tried moving the empty frames around to get them to draw them out, but no luck. I'd say they are still only using about 80% of the bottom 2 boxes.

Is this a weak hive or what?

[devdog108]

I hope not because mine won't touch 2 of the 10 frames in my deep either. It seems that the hives are kicking out frones this year. I haven't seen one in weeks.....it was a point of discussion not too long ago.

[JOHNYOGA2]

Same here. No (or very very few) drones for about a month now.

[BEES4U]

Is this an indication of anything?

It sure is an indication.
You are down the coast from me by about 60 miles.
I have been feeding sugar syrup using inside feeders. The bees can empty a feeder overnight.
Basically this year is gone as far as any future honey flows.
if your location is close to the city the bees can forage enough to make their winter bees which are different physiology speaking.
No drones = no honey flow.
August is in a few days.
I would sugges that you place all of the brood and bees into the bottom brood chamber, place all of the frames of honey in a super above the lower brood chamber, fill in the super with drawn out empty combs, and feed them to get a nice big wintering cluster.
bees will work the pepper trees. But, it takes a lot of them for a honey flow
The Texas wax leaf privet provide food too.
Buy some wax worm contol material and save your combs for next year.
BTW: what is your queen source?
NOAA is talking about a possible El Nino for this rain season 2009-2010
Good luck,
Ernie

[icodebot]

Bees4U, thanks for the info. Yes I know where you are.

So are you saying the honey season / nectar flow is over for us until next year? I didn't want to feed and have a hive full of sugar syrup honey.

What time of year do you normally harvest your honey up there, and when does the nectar flow start and end for us in a normal year?

[icodebot]

Is this an indication of anything?

BTW: what is your queen source?


I bought a package from C F Koehnen & Sons. Cordovan Italians.

Oh and it's funny you mention pepper trees. My hive is sitting right next to a large one!