Still in my first year and I need some guidance on whether I should add another deep. (My mentor came out today in this heat and we inspected the hives together and he really encouraged me that I was going in the right direction, we set traps for SHB.
Currently on hive 1, I have 2 deep 8 frame boxes that are doing GREAT, brood, bees and honey! Hive 2 is doing awesome as well. 2 deep 10 frames that are loaded with brood and honey and bees. Hive 2 has a medium super that is being drawn but no stores. I am leaving everything for the bees to overwinter (I did take three frames for a taste and to gift away)
Our first frost is about 8 weeks out and we hit 100 today! Goldenrod is blooming and some pollen is coming in now after the summer dearth.
I have fed the last 6-8 weeks because of the dearth. My mentor said the next step is up to me and he is leaving it up to me.
Should I add another deep to Hive 1 and rotate one full frame with one empty frame throughout the second and third deeps (or) just leave them alone and treat for Varroa?
If I add a deep I was thinking of waiting a week or so and treat for Varroa after they get used to their new addition. I appreciate y?alls guidance!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Is sounds to me that you need to add a super on hive 1. You did not mention what you plan on treating with. If it is oxalic acid, I would do the first of three treatments now and one a week from now and also a week later. Most other treatments will require that you remove the super.
Jim Altmiller
I am going to treat with Apiguard (thymol). The idea of adding a Super is really what I was asking. Let me explain, Hive 1 is a Flow Hive. I am beyond intrigued by the idea of the Flow Hive and the product itself and it is the singular product that got me curious enough to get involved in Beekeeping. For that I am grateful because I am enjoying every step of this new adventure. I have no complaints about the Flow Hive and I believe it will work one day for me.
Nonetheless , I can?t get MY bees to draw the flow frames. I have tried everything, sugar spray, honey B healthy , alternating frames, moving frames down, moving boxes up and down,praying, begging the bees, it just ain?t happening this year for me. It has even stumped my mentor (who has never used a flow hive but he is fascinated with the idea and wanted to see the honey flow too).
I do have a deep that will fit the Flow Hive so I am using the wrong words by calling it a brood box. In reality it will be a deep super. My intention would be to put regular frames in it to give the bees some more room to grow. I just don?t want to give them too much space to protect before the hive reduces its numbers after the fall flow. Again, I appreciate any guidance here.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
In my area I have a hard time getting the bees to draw new comb this time of year.
They seem to be more interested in filling what they have.
I'd talk to a couple other beekeepers in your area and see what they say.
JR,
I also have a flow hive. It took three years to get any honey from it and then the bees did not fill it. You need to give the bees plenty of room for brood and then during a good flow add the top unit. For the first two years, every time I got the bees to move into the flow section, within a week or two they would swarm and stop using the flow super. I had to give them 3 medium supers for brood before they stopped swarming.
Jim Altmiller
Jim, consider posting to a new topic FLOW HIVE with your experience. I am sure the info would benefit many and having the subject as topic would direct searches to the info. Just consider, Buddy.
Van