Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[Bluebell2009]

Hello!

 

We were given a very small nuc late last summer. We had a struggle keeping it alive, and although we insulated it as well as we could (with advice), we treated it for verroa with oxalic acid in Xmas, we have observed small, but constant amounts of dead bees in front of the hive over the last 4 months.

 

A few weeks ago, doing a proper inspection, we realised that large amounts of mould have been colonising the inside surface of the brood box, but also the capped honey combs. We cleaned it as good as we could then.

 

After a proper inspection yesterday, we noticed the mould is quite significant now, and the queen doesn't seem to be laying much, since I could only see a handful of capped brood and no eggs (however, the light wasn't good enough for me to see if there were eggs being layed). There is 0% activity outside the beehive. The total number of bees is just enough to cover about 2 brood frames.

 

I would really appreciate suggestions on what should I do to treat the mould. We have ordered a new brood box, we needed a spare on anyway, and I will transfer all the bees to the new one as soon as I get it delivered. however, how do I deal with the moulded brood frames? they are full of honey. Should I just get rid of them and start fresh? Is the mould affecting the queen laying or should I go for a new queen? The bees came from a very good professional beekeeper, and are good bees. The queen is from last year only.

 

Thanks a lot! Any help will be highly appreciated!

 

I am glad to say, that our other hive looks great! Which is good since we just started keeping them last year!

[Guest]

Cold and damp are your problems. The solid floor with no ventilation is a big, big problem.

 

Reduce the brood nest to retain warmth; cover with insulation to retain warmth. Raise the brood nest from the floor by a tad under 3mm or fit an open mesh floor.

 

Reducing means using a close fitting divider which is sealed (to retain warmth) at the top of the brood box and confining the bees to the minimum number of frames possible, taking into account laying space and adequate (but no more) stores of honey and pollen. Fit insulation at the back of divider if possible. Insulate around outside area of the brood box to retain warmth (do it on a warm day when the hive is warm).

 

Alternatively rehouse in a well insulated nucleus hive, keep warm as above and supply adequate bottom ventilation.

 

If you are lucky she will start laying and that would accelerate the drying process.

 

You might want to have a sample of bees checked for nosema.

 

If they survive, they will clean up the honey frames eventually. I would not be adding these frames to your other colony at this point (disease spores).

 

Really, if they are just a weak colony and otherwise in good health, they could do with a frame of hatching brood adding (from your other colony) to give this one a boost in numbers. No point in doing that if they are not in good health.

 

Does this help?

 

Regards, RAB

[Bluebell2009]

Sorry for my late reply!

That's great help, thatnks a lot!.

 

We have been also adivce to feed them syrup solution. The queen has now enough space for laying, but I think that we will actually add a frame from our other colony, which is thriving!

 

I was hoping the good weather was going to help drying up the dump. We have ordered open mesh floors for both hives and other material so this weekend we'll sort them out.

 

Thanks again for your advise! I'll let you know in a few weeks of how they are doing!