Colony 2 inspection
Posted 26th July 2010 at 04:22 PM by Firegazer
Just checked the second colony - all seems well.
Saw eggs and small larvae, plus lots of capped brood. Didn't see any fat larvae, but I guess that's just a timing thing.
They'd spread from the original 6 frames to 8 now and they've drawn out most of the 9th one. They have a full box of undrawn foundation below them too, but they don't seem to have done much with that yet (although I didn't check it this time).
Not as much stores as the first colony. Maybe a few frames' worth, plus a little bit over the brood area. They seem to be still focused on getting more numerous, rather than storing for the Winter. I guess when their numbers are up further, that excess collection capability will have its effect and the stores will build up?
I had a few grumpy guard bees giving me minor grief as I inspected, but nothing too annoying (maybe I'm getting used to it) and only minor 'seeing off' rather than proper following.
My record-keeping is still dire - this is really it, and we're not even doing videos now :-( I must get a system going that works well and I can actually use. At the moment we come back from the battle of an inspection and neither of us can remember what we saw in enough detail.
I also reduced the entrance with foam rubber on both sides to help them with wasp intrusions. Not sure how to block up the entrance properly on these Swienty poly Langs yet.
FG
Saw eggs and small larvae, plus lots of capped brood. Didn't see any fat larvae, but I guess that's just a timing thing.
They'd spread from the original 6 frames to 8 now and they've drawn out most of the 9th one. They have a full box of undrawn foundation below them too, but they don't seem to have done much with that yet (although I didn't check it this time).
Not as much stores as the first colony. Maybe a few frames' worth, plus a little bit over the brood area. They seem to be still focused on getting more numerous, rather than storing for the Winter. I guess when their numbers are up further, that excess collection capability will have its effect and the stores will build up?
I had a few grumpy guard bees giving me minor grief as I inspected, but nothing too annoying (maybe I'm getting used to it) and only minor 'seeing off' rather than proper following.
My record-keeping is still dire - this is really it, and we're not even doing videos now :-( I must get a system going that works well and I can actually use. At the moment we come back from the battle of an inspection and neither of us can remember what we saw in enough detail.
I also reduced the entrance with foam rubber on both sides to help them with wasp intrusions. Not sure how to block up the entrance properly on these Swienty poly Langs yet.
FG
Total Comments 2
Comments
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Have you tried that expanded foam that they sell to insulate pipes? You can easily cut it with scissors and it will restrict or even bloc the entrance you poly hives a treat.Posted 26th July 2010 at 07:56 PM by Polyanwood 
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Good shout, thanks.
I'm using some sissy soft foam at the moment (bit like pillow foam). It seems to work, but it will probably go manky when it gets wet. That stiffer stuff you mentioned is probably closed-cell foam, like Karrimats and should be much better.
I'll give it a go and let you know.
FGPosted 26th July 2010 at 08:04 PM by Firegazer
