Mild Winter

[Mistura Fina]

I have one new hive in Carmel Valley, California. My bees are acting wierd. They haven't gone up to the upper super yet (today is Dec 21) and they're still actively flying. They have well established brood and honey comb in the lower super. I've moved two frames from the lower to the upper super to try to intice them to move upstairs.They show no signs of wintering. Our winters or usually mild, with above freezing tempuratures, even at night for the most part. Very little rain so far this season. Is this unusual? Has anyone out there experienced a similar thing? This is my first hive and my first year with bees, so I don't know if I should worry. Because they are still very active, I haven't put the top feeder back on. Should I? Help!!!

[Kirk-o]

Well if those bees have plenty of stores(honey and Pollen )leave them alone.It is the time of year for things to slow down.It gets cooler less flowers ect.THE BEES KNOW WHAT TO DO.Relax enjoy your bees
kirko

[pdmattox]

Sounds like they have plenty of food so I would not feed them. If they get light on food then maybe you could feed them. My experince is if you start feeding they start making brood and if there is nothing for them to forage then you have to continue feeding. wait till spring if you can.

[Jerrymac]

My experince is if you start feeding they start making brood and if there is nothing for them to forage then you have to continue feeding.

So I have to ask. If the bees find an abandoned/dead hive and rob it out, will they start making brood?

[pdmattox]

I mix the syrup with water to simulate a nectar flow unless I need to give the hive some weight then It will be strait syrup. I doubt that robing one hive will give that boost to make brood. But who knows?