[crofter]

How well the hive is insulated and the degree of ventilation will affect how late the bees can still dry down syrup. I expect to put 10 pounds gain on each colony in the next two weeks. Frost warning for tonight.

 

[crofter]

They will work AT curing syrup till they have to cluster. I dont know if you are close to target weight or if you are far short of it. If you have put on 4 gallons of syrup in less than a week for instance, it likely wont all get dried down. If they have been taking smaller amounts they wont have such a backlog. As mentioned insulate the top and feed warmed up syrup if you still need more weight on them.

If you have large amounts of watery syrup on board you should be extra careful to get sufficient ventilation in a way that does not cost too much lost heat.

 

[crofter]

I had the same concern about making bees instead of putting up stores. New territory for me as previously my bees were Carni type habits and cut back brooding on their own.

Apparently a person can flood them with 4 or 5 gallons at once which will force the issue but I was afraid of instigating swarms. I have now requeened those colonies.

If you use shavings/quilt boxes it would probably be good to put them on. I used to wait till November for that but I think I will push it ahead since they surely will have uncapped syrup for a while.