My strongest colony appearsto have been robbed.
just when the honey pre-order are coming in thick and fast)
The flow is full on and there's residual fondant on all the other hives(all weaker colonies but they have lost interest in it.).
This hive is 200 yards behind the others.
No food left lying around.
Weather cooled off after previous good spell.
There's queen wasps reappearing after winter but not in any numbers.
There's plenty of shredded bees under the hive and a small handful on the landing board.
I cleared them but next day there's more.
I haven't opened it up as there's not much I can do anyway.
I'd rather not disturb or move them if they have a chance of self recovery.
There's certainly less bees visible through the perspex but they have recently had another box put underneath so they may be busy down there.
The entrance is 7mm x 30mm
What struck me is the amount of frass.-it's all over the front, up the four sides and across the roof.
Why would this happen now?
just when the honey pre-order are coming in thick and fast)
The flow is full on and there's residual fondant on all the other hives(all weaker colonies but they have lost interest in it.).
This hive is 200 yards behind the others.
No food left lying around.
Weather cooled off after previous good spell.
There's queen wasps reappearing after winter but not in any numbers.
There's plenty of shredded bees under the hive and a small handful on the landing board.
I cleared them but next day there's more.
I haven't opened it up as there's not much I can do anyway.
I'd rather not disturb or move them if they have a chance of self recovery.
There's certainly less bees visible through the perspex but they have recently had another box put underneath so they may be busy down there.
The entrance is 7mm x 30mm
What struck me is the amount of frass.-it's all over the front, up the four sides and across the roof.
Why would this happen now?