Pictures of Backfilling?

KES · September 27, 2007, 12:33:26 AM

I had someone make a comment about a picture of one of my frames I linked to recently and they mentioned seeing backfilling. Today, I snapped a couple of pictures and posted them on my blog to see if anyone can confirm the backfilling issue. If that's what it is, what does it mean and what should I do?

The blog: http://kensbees.blogspot.com/2007/09/backfilling.html

Thanks,

Ken

Jerrymac · September 27, 2007, 12:58:32 AM

Do you mean moving honey into the brood area? Probably getting ready for winter.

Robo · September 27, 2007, 08:32:28 AM

Winter prep, not an issue. If it were Spring or Summer, I would worry about getting bound, but this time of year it is normal.

mat · September 27, 2007, 08:46:24 AM

I think "backfilling" was introduced by Walter Wright. When bees start filling the brood area with nectar it is the first sign that they think about swarming. But in the spring not now.

bassman1977 · September 27, 2007, 11:24:56 AM

I see a queen cell in there. Looks like a supercedure cell and it looks old. I would agree that you are fine.

Robo · September 27, 2007, 11:45:51 AM

Quote from: bassman1977 on September 27, 2007, 11:24:56 AM
I see a queen cell in there. Looks like a supercedure cell and it looks old. I would agree that you are fine.

I would say it is just a queen cup, but a marked queen would tell for sure. ;)

Scadsobees · September 27, 2007, 01:31:41 PM

Yup, putting it away where they need it for the winter. No worries, just make sure that they have enough....

Rick

Brian D. Bray · September 27, 2007, 10:14:02 PM

At this time of year I'd be worried if they weren't backfilling. One of the reasons for fall feeding is to ensure that the hive becomes honey bound. Without being honey bound as cold weather sets in means your bees will probably starve during the winter. You really can't talk about sufficient winter stores without including backfilling as part of the definition.

annette · September 27, 2007, 10:22:53 PM

Quote from: Brian D. Bray on September 27, 2007, 10:14:02 PM
At this time of year I'd be worried if they weren't backfilling. One of the reasons for fall feeding is to ensure that the hive becomes honey bound. Without being honey bound as cold weather sets in means your bees will probably starve during the winter. You really can't talk about sufficient winter stores without including backfilling as part of the definition.

Brian

How much do you feed your hives this time of year??

Annette

Brian D. Bray · September 27, 2007, 10:45:43 PM

In a good year nothing. I shouldn't have to. This year I've been feeding for 3 weeks because the bees were using the honey faster than they could collect/make it. The entire summer as been a nectar dearth in my area.

annette · September 27, 2007, 11:04:36 PM

Thanks for the reply.

I may feed for about 1 week so they can fill all those empty cells. They have enough honey to last the winter as around here they only need a little more than 1 super (about 35 lbs). My bees have more than this to get through the winter, but there are many empty cells here and there around the brood nest.

Annette