Hello!
Looking for a more seasoned beekeeper's input. I did an inspection today, as we have had day time temps in the 50s here in the Hudson Valley. I had at least 6 frames of capped honey still in reserves (I didn't take any honey off the hive last year because it was the first year). I did the inversion, so now most of the honey is on the bottom, and most of the frames of empty cells are on the top. I did not observe any new eggs - is this normal? I could not locate the queen and wonder about her presence.
Also, this is the least important. If we get more toward April and there is still a great deal of capped honey on the frames may I take one or two? I am also looking at splitting the hive, as I have a bolstering number that survived.
Finally, should I feed them? And if so, what, if any, medication should they be getting this time of year? This will be the hive's second season. I did not medicate at all for the first season and did not experience problems, but I did read that the second season, problems are likely to develop.
Thank you in advance - I think i just read too many different things, so my head is spinning!
Janay
Looking for a more seasoned beekeeper's input. I did an inspection today, as we have had day time temps in the 50s here in the Hudson Valley. I had at least 6 frames of capped honey still in reserves (I didn't take any honey off the hive last year because it was the first year). I did the inversion, so now most of the honey is on the bottom, and most of the frames of empty cells are on the top. I did not observe any new eggs - is this normal? I could not locate the queen and wonder about her presence.
Also, this is the least important. If we get more toward April and there is still a great deal of capped honey on the frames may I take one or two? I am also looking at splitting the hive, as I have a bolstering number that survived.
Finally, should I feed them? And if so, what, if any, medication should they be getting this time of year? This will be the hive's second season. I did not medicate at all for the first season and did not experience problems, but I did read that the second season, problems are likely to develop.
Thank you in advance - I think i just read too many different things, so my head is spinning!
Janay