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Author Topic: Struggling hive, what to do?  (Read 9054 times)

Offline Jluker1126

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Struggling hive, what to do?
« on: April 02, 2013, 10:43:17 pm »
I have a hive that was a late split. They did great all winter now seem to be struggling. They are only covering and using five frames. The brood pattern looks good and no indications of any problems. Any thoughts or suggestions on what to do. I have been feeding them since they didn't have much for stores and now giving 1 to 1 syrup.

Offline bailey

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Re: Struggling hive, what to do?
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2013, 10:49:04 pm »
Feeding and adding bees are the only 2 things I know to do.
Bailey
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Offline rbinhood

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Re: Struggling hive, what to do?
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2013, 10:58:42 pm »
With the nightime temperature getting warmer feed, feed, and feed some more (1:1 sugar water) and if you have a couple of strong hives add bees from them.  Then feed some more till they quit taking the 1:1.
Only God can make these two things.....Blood and Honey!

Offline Jluker1126

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Re: Struggling hive, what to do?
« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2013, 11:04:37 pm »
Can I add a frame from another hive bees and all? They won't fight?

Offline rbinhood

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Re: Struggling hive, what to do?
« Reply #4 on: April 02, 2013, 11:07:17 pm »
Smoke them real good, and if it is a warn day you can spray them with sugar water and add the frame.
Only God can make these two things.....Blood and Honey!

Offline hardwood

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Re: Struggling hive, what to do?
« Reply #5 on: April 02, 2013, 11:12:22 pm »
They have been struggling to gain momentum (or at least that's what it sounds like). They can only raise two new bees for every nurse bee they have so boost the young nurse bees by giving them a frame of emerging brood.

Scott
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Offline BeeMaster2

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Re: Struggling hive, what to do?
« Reply #6 on: April 02, 2013, 11:18:37 pm »
5 full frames in the spring doesn't sound too bad. If the q is OK, I think you will see that hive explode with bees in the next few weeks.
Jim
Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
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Offline Jluker1126

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Re: Struggling hive, what to do?
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2013, 12:16:10 pm »
Thanks, a little reassurance help.

Offline BeeMaster2

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Re: Struggling hive, what to do?
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2013, 12:58:34 pm »
Keep us updated on how they do in the next couple of weeks.
Jim
Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin

Offline jayj200

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Re: Struggling hive, what to do?
« Reply #9 on: March 01, 2014, 09:19:01 pm »
yes I have a week hive too

I'll feed them till they stop taking the syrup.

our flow has just started here. so. I am confidant she'll start laying lots more.

the new swarm I just caught seams buizzier than our second hive which we have had for a few weeks.

jay

Offline iddee

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Re: Struggling hive, what to do?
« Reply #10 on: March 01, 2014, 10:12:35 pm »
jluker, also look to see if there is a heavy pollen frame next to the brood. If so, move it out one space and add an empty frame in it's place. A queen will not skip a frame and lay in the next one. She will stay in that confined area all summer until the pollen is gone.
"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me . . . Anything can happen, child. Anything can be"

*Shel Silverstein*

 

anything