Take or not take?

[obcast21]

Hello - First year beekeeper in upstate NY with a late start, meaning didnt get a package colony started until Mid-June. Girls were doing great and then bad summer had them come to a stand still about a month ago. Fed with some Honey B Healthy and Fum-B about a 2 weeks ago and after a check yesterday I have a top 10 frame hive body 7 frames full on capped honey, and new larva in bottom body. Question being - is it too late to try to take some of that honey? do I just leave it for over wintering food? Suggestions?

[brooksbeefarm]

If i understand right you have about 56lbs. of honey if the top box is a deep. In your area i think it takes at least 80lbs. to winter a hive. Maybe a NY. beekeeper can help you out on this forum. Good luck. Jack

[carbide]

Where I am in Southwestern Pa. I wouldn't even think of taking any honey off of one of my hives if that was all they had in it. If one of my hives had that little of honey stored up at this time of year I would start feeding them. I'm thinking that where you're at the winters are even more severe than the winters that we get here.

You should never take honey out of the hive bodies unless they are honey bound in the spring.

[obcast21]

Yes that is correct - Plus they have probably about 15 lbs more in the bottom body around the brood. Thats what I have been hearing up here that between 75-80 lbs is the key for the winter up here. Thanks.

[obcast21]

Carbide - so is that normal to have the upper deep full of honey rather than brood? They preparing for the NE winter?

[beedeetee]

Fed with some Honey B Healthy and Fum-B about a 2 weeks ago
Well unless you like HBH and Fumigilun I wouldn't.

[carbide]

obcast21,

By the time winter rolls around my bees are normally in the top of the bottom box with the top box 80-90% full with honey and/or nectar.