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Is it to early to equalize in southern Rhode Island

1048 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  bensmith0149
Here in southern RI we have had a week + of abnormal warm temperatures.
The maples are blooming and the bees are flying like there is a major honey flow.
I have 3 hives that are booming and 3 hives that have about a dozen bees coming and going.
Is it to early to disturb the strong hives and move some brood to the weak hives?
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If you have maples blooming it's time to do your manipulations. It needs to be a warm day (55-60) but followed by a fairly warm night. If the cluster has moved up you can rotate boxes. Check for queen cells and nectar while you are in there. You need nectar to finish winter or you will need to feed. Hopefully you wiped out mites starting in August but it is probably time to do a mite check before supers go on.
Here in southern RI we have had a week + of abnormal warm temperatures.
The maples are blooming and the bees are flying like there is a major honey flow.
I have 3 hives that are booming and 3 hives that have about a dozen bees coming and going.
Is it to early to disturb the strong hives and move some brood to the weak hives?
I think you are rushing the season. It is too early to do those manipulations.
I think you are rushing the season. It is too early to do those manipulations.
The reason I mentioned southern RI is because here on the cost it is 5 to 10 degrees colder each day than it is from Providence north.
One reason I am concerned about the time is I don't wont to set the strong hives back before they can handle the loss of brood.
The reason I mentioned southern RI is because here on the cost it is 5 to 10 degrees colder each day than it is from Providence north.
One reason I am concerned about the time is I don't wont to set the strong hives back before they can handle the loss of brood.
I'm familiar with your climate and that was the reason for my response.
I have bees not far away, with the same cold ocean water influence in spring time that you have (nice long warm fall though, isn't it). It's too early for me and won't think about doing those manipulations for a couple of more weeks.
I think it is very possible you set the strong ones back significantly.
I'm familiar with your climate and that was the reason for my response.
I have bees not far away, with the same cold ocean water influence in spring time that you have (nice long warm fall though, isn't it). It's too early for me and won't think about doing those manipulations for a couple of more weeks.
I think it is very possible you set the strong ones back significantly.
Thank You, I will wait a couple of weeks.
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