Honey bee inspection

[2busy]

I've never looked in my hives this time of year. Since I haven't treated for varroa mites in 2 years I was curious to see what it looked like.
Bee numbers looked good and honey stores are great.
No sign of a queen. No brood no eggs. Hopefully it is just the lull for this time of year.
I really thought there would be a small patch of brood since the weather hasn't been all that bad and they definitely have the numbers to keep it warm and pollen and honey to keep fed . All three hives look the same.

 

[HillsideDesolate]

Not too bad! Looks to be about twice the size of mine. And kudos on taking a pic, I'm always too "occupied to take pictures when I open my hives.

I use 8s as well, they held heat better up north.
Do you run just a single deep?

 

[Daniel___Aims]

That’s a good work

 

[2busy]

Not too bad! Looks to be about twice the size of mine. And kudos on taking a pic, I'm always too "occupied to take pictures when I open my hives.

I use 8s as well, they held heat better up north.
Do you run just a single deep?

2 deeps or 3 mediums and I still have a hard time with swarm prevention. They just like to backfill the brood area and when it's hot I don't like to suit up as my bees are not gentle like you see on youtube.

 

[264killer]

Back in the day I robbed my bees with out my shirt on.

 

[2busy]

Back in the day I robbed my bees with out my shirt on.

You'll look like small pox hit you here if you did that.

 

[HillsideDesolate]

2 deeps or 3 mediums and I still have a hard time with swarm prevention. They just like to backfill the brood area and when it's hot I don't like to suit up as my bees are not gentle like you see on youtube.

Good to know, I am running 1 medium 1 deep. In WA I used 2 deeps sometimes + a medium. I usually split my survivors for swarm prevention.

 

[2busy]

Good to know, I am running 1 medium 1 deep. In WA I used 2 deeps sometimes + a medium. I usually split my survivors for swarm prevention.

I've been in the bee yard inspecting and had swarms boil out behind me. Chased 5 in one day. Honey bees can be a full time job every week. Plus suicide swarms in the fall due to warm weather here.

 

[264killer]

In my younger days was loading some cement blocks Got into some bumble bees . Took of running got stung 15 times on my back. Did not have a shirt on then either.

 

[Waysysto]

Even though the thread is a year old, your experience with beekeeping and your concern for the health of your hives remain relevant and important. It's great that you're keeping a watchful eye on varroa mites and the overall condition of your bees.