Combined hives for the first time

[FlexMedia.tv]

Had a weak hive that I am almost certain the queen hit the road. I followed directions from this forum, newspaper over the strong hive, weak hive on top, feed with sugar water. Any idea what I should be looking for now?



Thanks,
Art


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[Acebird]

On the other two hives what is between the second and third box?

[FlexMedia.tv]

Acebird,
On the other 2 from the bottom, brood box. #2 pollen and a little honey. On top of that are tops with screen holes to feed inside that last box. I sugar water feed the one on the far right. The one in the middle is a laying worker hive (I haven't learned how to fix yet) that wouldn't eat much sugar water so I stopped.

[MikeyN.C.]

Art, if you poked tiny holes or razor blade slits, just wait 4-5 days.  Remove top and inner cover look inside if you see lots of paper gone it's a done deal.  Later sometime you my want to check frame arrangements.

[Acebird]

Art I asked because I thought the top box wasn't used by the colony.  That makes them small hives.  IMO a layer worker hive isn't worth the effort.  I would dump it in the hopes it would strengthen the other hives.

[FlexMedia.tv]

Art, if you poked tiny holes or razor blade slits, just wait 4-5 days.  Remove top and inner cover look inside if you see lots of paper gone it's a done deal.  Later sometime you my want to check frame arrangements.

MikeyN.C. yup, poked the holes. I'll go back and check in a few days. Hope they won't be fist fighting when I check. *grin!*

[FlexMedia.tv]

Art I asked because I thought the top box wasn't used by the colony.  That makes them small hives.  IMO a layer worker hive isn't worth the effort.  I would dump it in the hopes it would strengthen the other hives.

Yeah, I don't know how to fix that problem anyway. How does it make the other hives stronger?

[Acebird]

The flying bees will join the other hives that are close to where the laying worker was.  The other hives need to be strong enough to prevent the actual laying workers from entering.  Maybe close down the entrance so they can guard it.  This is only helpful if you still have some nectar for them to gather.  They are old bees so they won't live long.

[FlexMedia.tv]

The flying bees will join the other hives that are close to where the laying worker was.  The other hives need to be strong enough to prevent the actual laying workers from entering.  Maybe close down the entrance so they can guard it.  This is only helpful if you still have some nectar for them to gather.  They are old bees so they won't live long.

humm...could be why the one on the right has a bunch at the entrance now. I'll dump it.  What a shame.

[MikeyN.C.]

Art,
Let the laying worker hive smell a real Q rite hive , just like newspaper. But use screen board for 7-10 days , just give a small entrance up top, keep bottom entrance protected,  laying worker up top will smell strong Q below. Have done this 2 times per. Iddee worked great , just. Take screen away. After you see top box stops laying. If you still have laying hive go out 50 yards and shake out.

[Oldbeavo]

You should have some newspaper dust out the front of the hive where they have chewed it through.
Unless they carted it away, but if no dust I would check they have chewed through.
Yes, a few slits helps the process.

[FlexMedia.tv]

Art,
Let the laying worker hive smell a real Q rite hive , just like newspaper. But use screen board for 7-10 days , just give a small entrance up top, keep bottom entrance protected,  laying worker up top will smell strong Q below. Have done this 2 times per. Iddee worked great , just. Take screen away. After you see top box stops laying. If you still have laying hive go out 50 yards and shake out.

Thanks,
here in Michigan, we can have snow in a week! Does it matter or should I wait? I do have a screen board to try and only one hive that has a strong queen.

Art

[Acebird]

If you are that close to snow I would not put it in now.  You can put it in next season.

[MikeyN.C.]

If you're that close to snow, I'd
do a shake out. I wouldn't want to increase the strong hive by adding more boxes if cold weather is coming.

[Oldbeavo]

Couldn't you add them now and then in a few days pack them down into the original boxes?

[FlexMedia.tv]

I'm looking at next week to try some of these suggestions. Darn day job...

[MikeyN.C.]

It's my understanding that laying workers need time to smell Q, and understand that they are Q rite, 7-10 days brood will hatch and you can look to see if their still laying.