Managing with out being able to work the bees?

[Curly green finger's]

With 30 odd colonies one is having to deploy a lot of kit and hope.

With that amount I would get someone I trust to look after them no questions.

 

[Parsonage Bees]

Heard one beekeeper divide up the brood box with alternate frames of foundation in a distant apiary that he left for long intervals. By June they should be able to handle it.
That means a lot of extra boxes and frames.

Think I'd find a helper. I might do it if I was nearby.

Good luck. I understand knee ops are painful.

 

[Do224]

Deleted…sorry I completely misread the original post!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Deleted…sorry I completely misread the original post!

But whereabouts are you? Sounds brill!

 

[Do224]

But whereabouts are you? Sounds brill!

It’s a really fascinating country…my first time here. I’ve just arrive in Mumbai today, from Varanasi. I’ve been excited to visit Mumbai for years, ever since I read Shantaram!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Step daughter has just come back from a mini tour. We got lots of pictures. She loved it and wants to go back. Lucky you. February is the absolute worst month of the year.

 

[Parsonage Bees]

It’s a really fascinating country…my first time here. I’ve just arrive in Mumbai today, from Varanasi. I’ve been excited to visit Mumbai for years, ever since I read Shantaram!

Next year Afghanistan?

 

[ericbeaumont]

divide up the brood box with alternate frames of foundation

I've heard it called zebra striping; quite a blunt tool as it shocks the colony into disarray and can divert them from swarming.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

beekeeping with a sledgehammer

 

[JamezF]

beekeeping with a sledgehammer

Marginally lighter than a brood box, but I think he'll still have trouble lifting it.

James

 

[Antipodes]

Split them?

Yep. Vertically.

 

[Pete9586]

You need a friend with benefits to do the work! You could look on and give your instructions/wishes .

 

[Do224]

Next year Afghanistan?

That would be a fascinating place to visit!

 

[philipm]

I know how it feels had a fractured spine and cancer last year all better now. I made sure that there were plenty of bait hives and there were people who could step in if need be.Also made sure that the bees had plenty of space more than they would need .I did have a couple of swarms go into the bait hives but still managed the best honey crop ever found it less painful to remove frames from the supers for extraction instead of carrying heavy boxes. I suppose I'm lucky where my bees are in that swarms dont cause a problem to others.Dont try to over think it.