Help with weak hives

[jjhagge]

I did an inspection today of my four hives in preparation for winter. Two of my hives are strong, and have at least two mediums worth of honey (10 frames each) for the winter. I reduced the entrance on all four hives.

Two of my hives are fairly weak in popluation, and because of a couple of cold snaps we've had, they are clearly feeding on their honey stores. I am concerned about them making it through the winter.

What I am considering is keeping an eye on their stores, and if necessary, introduce syrup to help them through the winter. Does that sound right? Everything I've read says that syrup is best during the winter, correct?

Another option would be to combine the weaker hives with the stronger hives, but I know I'd have to relocate the weaker hives for at least two weaks before bringing them back and combining. With impending cold weather, I'm reluctant to do that, unless someone suggests other wise.

Thanks for any help!

[Jpoindexter]

I have never tried this - but I read it once - its worth a shot if you are going to lose a hive anyways. If you combine the hives, you'll have to eliminate one of the queens. But one way to do it without moving the hives around for two weeks is to:
1. Remove the queen from the weak hive.
2. Remove the top cover from the strong hive.
3. put 3-4 sheets thick of wet newspaper over the hole on the strong hive's top cover. Make sure there is a good seal and that there are no gaps where bees can get through.
4. Place the weak hive's brood box on top of the strong hives top board.

The weak bees will have to chew through the newspaper in order to get out of their hive. Make sure they have a food source (frame of honey) so they can survive days in the box. Also consider ventilation so they do not get too hot. By the time they make it through the newspaper- (2-3 days) they will be used to the new queen's pheremones and will not attack the strong hive.

Good Luck!

[PerryBee]

jjhagge:

Sorry if I am confused but why would you have to move any hives prior to combining? If all four hives are in the same spot there is no need to move any of them prior to combining.

Second point is that syrup is not the best way to feed bees through the winter. Bees will not take syrup much below 50 degrees (not sure what temps are in your area now). This late in the year you could try feeding fondant or candy board if neccessary. You could also look up "mountain camp" method for feeding dry sugar in an emergency.

As far as combining, the method most used is simply put a single sheet of newspaper directly over the top bars of one hive (body) then either poke a few holes with a pencil or cut a few slits with your hive tool in the paper, and then place the other hive (body) directly on top of it.

Hope this helps

Perry

[brac]

so how far apart are your hives?

[azeryth]

I'm having the same problems with our hives. So far, I've increased feeding with sugar syrup. It's applicable to us since we're in the tropics.

I would be transferring one sealed brood from one of our stronger colonies later. But if the queen still doesn't perform well, I might have to re-queen.

Then again, do you have enough pollen source, for what i'm seeing, a weak hive is sometimes due to a poor-laying queen. lesser bees=weaker colonies, seems like it. and for a queen to lay lots of eggs, she'll be needing lots of pollen.

don't be too hasty with combining colonies yet. the weak hives may be able to recuperate with improved management.

just my thoughts.

[Yuleluder]

As far as combining, the method most used is simply put a single sheet of newspaper directly over the top bars of one hive (body) then either poke a few holes with a pencil or cut a few slits with your hive tool in the paper, and then place the other hive (body) directly on top of it.

Exactly! I do this all the time with no problems. Shoot you don't even need to kill one of the queens as the bees will sort it out. I only kill one of the queens if I want to determine which one stays and which one goes. Some of the stuff I have been reading lately has me scratching my head. Why does it seem that people are over complicating simple management practices?

[jjhagge]

Thank you all for the replies. I have heard of the newspaper technique for combining, but I was told in order to facilitate reorientation to the new hive, I had to relocate the hive for a short term period, then move it back to the new hive. Not sure if there is much merit in that, seeing as by the time they combine to the stronger hive, the situation would probably resolve itself.

I have plenty of hive top feeders, so I am considering that or the board candy method. I am new to Arkansas, so I may find other beekeepers to see what they do. I inherited these two hives, so I am not too sure about the condition of the queens. Come early spring, I may put out pollen patties to evaluate the condition of the queens. I have read that early spring requeening is not necessarily ideal, but my sources in Arkansas say it is too late to requeen this season.

Thanks again for the advice!

[jrbbees]

Combine if you wish.

Then cut some tree branches and lean the leaf part over the entrances. Use enough that it creates an obstical that the bees have to concentrate to get through. Stop them from simply coming to the entrance/exit and taking off.

This way they wake up and go wooow! where am I! Then they will all do new orintation flights and pay attention to where they want to come back to.

Bees get lost when you move a hive because they take off and think they already know where home is. make them wake up and smell the coffee.

After a couple of days start removing a branch every two/three days.

[scdw43]

Drawn comb is a beekeepers most valuable resource. If you lose the comb from these hives it will be harder to replace them. You will have to make your own decision on whether to combine or try to feed them 2-1 sugar suyrp, if it is not to late in your area. Just do what you have to do to protect the comb. Bees are easy to replace in the spring but drawn comb is not. Everboby is worried about how much honey they can make the first year with a hive. You have to have bees and drawn comb in the brood boxes to make honey. I worry about population, comb, and flow, the honey will take care of itself.

[Oldtimer]

Don't combine till you find out why they are weak.

If these hives are in poor shape because of say, varroa mites, then combining onto a better hive would not be the best move.

Also what is weak? How many combs bees / brood are there?

Is there any dead brood, are there any bees with no wings, are there any sick looking bees on the grass in front of the hives?