Author Topic: should I combine these hives...... (Read 2307 times)

SteveSC · « **on:** June 13, 2006, 01:36:33 pm »

I have 6 hives total - new hives this yr.. 4 of the hives are doing good - growing in population and filling their brood boxes.

I have 2 hives that are weak - lagging behind in population growth and drawing out comb for brood and honey.. These 2 hives were swarm hives this yr.. One of the swarms were larger that the other but both of the hives are struggling. I've had the 2 weak hives for 6 to 8 weeks but I'm thinking they should be doing better. They have maybe 1 1\2 frames drawn out in each hive.

Should I combine the two weak ones to get a better hive or should I wait a while to see if they will inprove on their own. I just don't want to wait too long before I make a move...... I'm concerned that moths will move in on them - - I saw a moth yesterday in one of the weak hives but I did not see any larva of damage to either hive. I examined all the frames in each. Thanks for any advise.

SteveSC

Finsky · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2006, 02:24:11 pm »

My experience is that one full langstroth box is minimum for hive. It developes without external help. Smaller ones are too slow and just make vain efforts.

Joe · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2006, 02:58:17 pm »

I am facing a very similar decision myself, I have many strong hives and just 2 weak hives which aren't developing as quickly as I'd like. One is a feral colony I removed from an old house, the other is a few frames I pulled from another hive which seemed to want to swarm. Finsky's comment that "one full Langstroth box is minimum for hive" sounds reasonable to me and as I inspect my colonies tonight if the two weak hives are not filling a Langstroth box then I'm combining.

Finsky · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2006, 03:33:15 pm »

Joe, I think that you have full summer there. I you have healthy queen it should have some kind of hive now. So it is better that you bye commercial queen or two and look how good they are.

SteveSC · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2006, 06:00:43 pm »

If I combine these two weak hives with the strong hives that are sitting next to each of them is there a chance that I will spread any moth larva from the weak ones to the strong ones...?

One hive in particular I saw a moth in yesterday (that moth lives no longer ). I'm unsure if the frames in that weak hive aren't infested with unborn moth larva and I don't want to transfer the potential infestation to the good hive. What's the best way to deal with this...?

The second weak is clean - - no signs of critters. Combining that one won't be a problem. I never saw a queen in either hive but I might have over looked her. Before the combining should I kill the weak queens if I see them or will the strong hives take care of that for me...?

Steve SC

Brian D. Bray · « **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2006, 05:09:55 pm »

A strong Hive can ward off parasites such as wax moth or SHB where a weak one can't. In your case, if I were doint it, I'd buy a new queen and combine the two weak hives. That way if there is a wax moth outbreak the stronger hives are not contaminated, the combined hive has a better chance of survival, and the loss, if there is one, is limited to the 2 hives that were weak and endangered to begin with.

Joe · « **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2006, 01:36:08 pm »

Finsky,
Summer has just started here and upon inspecting my two weak hives the other night I no longer consider them weak anymore. Both hives are building up quite well and the feral queen has a very good laying pattern and has layed pretty much everywhere she could. I'll give her some time to see how she performs and if she's not up to par in a few weeks I'll consider replacing her. Thanks for your input.

Finsky · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2006, 07:31:12 pm »

Hi Joe!

Dandelions and apple trees just finished it's blooming. Blueberry bushes started just to bloom.

Best hives has now 5 boxes and smallest 2 boxes.

Swimming water in lakes is about 15C.
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