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Lots of bees but no honey

#1

Hi there,

Hoping for help or guidance.

I live in the Whitsundays and purchased my FlowHive 2 over a year ago not knowing you needed to wait till warmer weather for nuc install.

After waiting for what seemed decades I finally installed my nuc late September. It wasnt until Jan 20 that I placed the flow ontop of the brood box as per advice from the guy who came and settle the nuc for me.

It was suggested I wait at least 3 months after putting the flow box ontop before I check and see how honey making progressing. I can smell honey, at least I can smell something so assume its honey, there are plenty of bees coming and going with pollen on their legs but the flow doesn’t seem to be filling nor can I see any capping going on.

As far as pests go we do get lots of green ants trying their luck to infiltrate, ensuring the flow legs are greased cures that problem. There are some hive beetles but oil in the pest tray solves that issue and the only other thing are micro ants up around the key area. No idea how to solve that issue or even if it is an issue??

So what exactly is my problem; I have plenty of bees coming and going with pollen, I can see them through the windows, can smell honey but flow not filling up.
Any suggestions or guidance is appreciated.

Thanking everyone in advance.

#2

You don’t appear to be inspecting your hive. You really need to do this on a regular basis to manage your bees, to check for health problems and to know how the colony is doing.
I check mine weekly during swarm season, though less frequently at other active times of the year.
If you are daunted by opening the hive and doing an inspection (taking out and checking each frame in the brood box), try to see if you can find a mentor or a bee association in your area.
The more you know about your bees he better you will be able to look after them and the more fascinating you will find them!

#3

Hi Julie, Your climate is warm enough over the cooler months that you could install a nuc any time of the year. Your ;Winter’ is probably warmer than a Summer in Canada, northern Europe or Britain.
Last season there was a drought and so a lack of nectar in the bush although there was heaps of flowers there was a big lacking of nectar in them. It was a drought over most of Australia. I had to feed my hives for the first time last Summer to keep them going.
Do fortnightly inspections and checking for capped honey as well as cells having nectar in them, if there is no wet cells I would consider feeding the bees till they stop taking it and take that as a sign that the bush is again supplying nectar.
Cheers