New hive box, bees not foraging

1751 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by JWPalmer, Oct 24, 2020

RpHardy

Discussion Starter · Oct 23, 2020

I recently moved two 5 frame nuc boxes into a side by side setup that I call a "duplex hive". Easiest way to explain it is a traditional langstroth hive split down the middle with one colony entering at the front and the other at the back.

Because of the setup in my bee yard, One of the five frame nuc colonies was moving to the other end of the bench to get into its new home (~5 feet) and it's entrance was being turned 180°. The other didn't relocate at all- just new woodenware.

For the colony that moved, I move them after dark, and closed their entrance off with a screen for half the next day and then kept it very restricted for the remainder of that day.

I see very little activity in this colony now. It has been warm the last few days- in the high 70s, and the four other colonies in the yard are highly active. These ladies are doing a decent job protecting themselves against robbers, but I don't see anyone flying straight out, and only very rarely see a worker enter unharassed. They were pretty active group before they got moved.

They do have both pollen and syrup feed internal to the hive. They also were moved with plenty of provision frames and some fresh larvae. There was not much capped brood because all of my queens had entered a slow down. During a cold snap couple weeks ago.

Should I have any concern? Or should I just wait a few days for new foragers? Any recommended action?

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mtnmyke

· #2 · Oct 23, 2020

With the entrance being turned 180 degrees it's possible all the foragers went into the other side - since it faces the same direction. Does the other side of your split box have increased numbers? Bees aren't as "loyal" to one colony as you'd think and if they are willing to work and/or loaded up with pollen or nectar - the parent hive will welcome them on in.

I've always had good luck moving hives up to 3 feet, but if you switch them around they sure get confused. It may have been a better idea to switch the nuc 180 degrees for a week or so before moving it to the other end of your bench. This way they would be used to entering their home from the opposite direction.

If you're seeing increased numbers on the other side you can always rotate the box 180 degrees, swapping the colonies to try and equalize the foragers. Things usually equalize as new foragers emerge from the hive...but with that said I'm not sure where you're located and if you're gong into winter, or into your flow like we are here.

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LAlldredge

· #3 · Oct 23, 2020

You are describing a resource hive. I have them and love them. Not that surprised that they are getting used to their new internal surroundings after being moved. As the other poster mentioned they may have lost some forager bees to the old location but if there are plenty of nurse bees it may not be an area of concern. If they have food and protection I wouldn't fret just yet. The other thing you might do is be sure the new side has plenty of identifiers to help them orient when they do come out. One side of my resource hive has indigo paint and the other yellow paint. Something to make that side look different. Another thing- I like everyone to be in their permanent winter home before bad weather hits. The pros are comfortable any time, but for me I like hives to be settled by now unless you are setting them up against a boomer for warmth. Good luck. I expect they will be fine.

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RpHardy

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 24, 2020

Thanks. Glad to know there's still a chance. I have a dual color box- green and a bright orange. Understand about getting them into their overwinter homes- This was an attempt to do just that, but sounds like I may have set one if the colonies back inadvertently.

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JWPalmer

· #5 · Oct 24, 2020

Be sure to provide extra feed to the colony that is not foraging. In another week or so you should see increased foraging activity.

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