Hi All,
I tried a search, but most posts asked about no eggs too and my queen is a strong layer with lots of eggs present.
I have 2 hives and this one has been weak from the begginning. I got 2 nucs in mid-late May and very early it was obvious this one had trouble. It had a stong mite presence about 2 weeks after hiving. I didn't do a count (I know I should), but saw several mites on bees. I used Hop Guard, but overdosed the first application (2 strips per brood frame instead of 2 strips per box). I had 8 strips in the hive and should have had 3-4. Caught my mistake that evening and removed the excess strips the next morning, but the damage had been done. A lot of brood had been killed. I kept the application going at the prescribed amount for 3 weeks total and they appeared to recover right away. I see no sign of DWV, k-wing or other diseases, but I am inexperienced (2nd season).
Its been about 4 weeks since the final application and they just aren't building up. I watched the hives this morning and the weak hive had very little activity at the entrance, less-so than there has been with this hive. I went in this morning to see what I could find out and saw very little capped brood. I saw the queen and tons of eggs in good pattern, but almost no brood capped. There is fresh pollen, but very little fresh nectar and no fresh comb. There is lots of forage as the 2nd (strong) hive is bringing in a lot of honey and pollen.
Minnesota and especially south of the twin cities (I am in Prior Lake) has gotten tons of rain this spring and the sun really only started coming out the last 2 weeks. This is my 2nd summer keeping bees and don't know what to do. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thank you all,
Chad
I tried a search, but most posts asked about no eggs too and my queen is a strong layer with lots of eggs present.
I have 2 hives and this one has been weak from the begginning. I got 2 nucs in mid-late May and very early it was obvious this one had trouble. It had a stong mite presence about 2 weeks after hiving. I didn't do a count (I know I should), but saw several mites on bees. I used Hop Guard, but overdosed the first application (2 strips per brood frame instead of 2 strips per box). I had 8 strips in the hive and should have had 3-4. Caught my mistake that evening and removed the excess strips the next morning, but the damage had been done. A lot of brood had been killed. I kept the application going at the prescribed amount for 3 weeks total and they appeared to recover right away. I see no sign of DWV, k-wing or other diseases, but I am inexperienced (2nd season).
Its been about 4 weeks since the final application and they just aren't building up. I watched the hives this morning and the weak hive had very little activity at the entrance, less-so than there has been with this hive. I went in this morning to see what I could find out and saw very little capped brood. I saw the queen and tons of eggs in good pattern, but almost no brood capped. There is fresh pollen, but very little fresh nectar and no fresh comb. There is lots of forage as the 2nd (strong) hive is bringing in a lot of honey and pollen.
Minnesota and especially south of the twin cities (I am in Prior Lake) has gotten tons of rain this spring and the sun really only started coming out the last 2 weeks. This is my 2nd summer keeping bees and don't know what to do. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thank you all,
Chad