the whats up with the hive.

[mamapoppybee]

Seems the past month or so the colony upped the number of drones i suppose to help with fall stores. This past weeks check i have noticed less eggs going into cells seems to be to make room for stores. did not see my queen this check but did see eggs so she should be well. Hoping all of these activities are on the norm side all these are keeping first for me.

[riverbee]

mama, your bees should be kicking the drones out......they don't help out with bringing in anything into the hive, they take away from the hive.  they don't forage for nectar or pollen.

less eggs; queens normally start to slow down in brood rearing in fall or late fall months, and yes the bees will backfill to store for winter months.  any brood you have remaining or any eggs your queen is laying are your winter bees.

hope this helps?

[mamapoppybee]

well this was the check a week ago i am due another but wind today was harsh and temps a bit chilly. hoping for a warmer maybe less windy day tomorrow. would love to give them a bit of feed to keep them happy. If i can get in ill let ya know more on the drones.

[Jen]

I have many dead drones in front of my hives. As a matter of fact one hive had a pile of them for awhile until I finally raked in front of the hives today.

[brooksbeefarm]

There have been times i've seen to many drones in a hive in Oct. and find they are queenless. I would look for the queen to make sure she's alright, you may have a laying worker? Jack

[riverbee]

what jack said mama, next time you check, look for your queen.

[mamapoppybee]

so I have looked for my queen and still have not seen her the laying pattern im seeing are groups of about 30 or more. On about two frames  not counting capped brood. I called the man i got the nuc from he said that what they are doing is normal for oklahoma.  I could just be missing the queen due to the crazy numbers of bees in that box and there are lots of bees.  Not sure really what to think.  It gets kinda confusing when you get the word of the right hand then the left says another thing.

[iddee]

I have seen several queenrite hives just like that this year. If you don't have multiple eggs on the walls of cells, don't worry about it. Be sure they have enough stores for winter and relax.

[efmesch]

A few more years of experience, Moms, and you'll think back to these days and laugh at yourself having been so insecure about what the bees are telling you.

Relax and enjoy the ride. 

[pistolpete]

Often shortly before they evict them from the hive, the house bees will drive the drones to the outside corners and under the lid.  The net result is that when you open the hive there are lots of drones under the lid or in the honey super.  This gives the false impression that there are lots of drones.   The brood nest undergoes a dramatic contraction at this time of year, some queens stop laying entirely until sometime in January.  This can also result in a very large mite drop as there is little or no capped brood for them to infest.

[mamapoppybee]

ty all insecure no but learning yes. I think i have really gotten attached and worry not to lose them. May even be a bit of a nut because i talk to them at when at the hive or i see them in the yard. So i must bee crazy lol

[efmesch]

You talk to them, they talk to you.  I wonder, who will learn to understand the language of the other first?  All said and done, you should have a longer opportunity than them.