This is a follow up and reminder if you used an insurance policy (winter feed supplement) on your colonies where you need  a spacer rim to provide room for the winter feed supplement (sugar brick, mountain camp method, krabby patty).  

The spacer rim will result in a bee space violation.   The bees pay no mind to it when the temps are low and they are in winter cluster.  However, if you encounter more than a few sporadic warmer days where the bees can break cluster, and if the colony is healthy and increasing the amount of brood with new bees emerging, the attached picture is an example of what you may find when you start visiting the colonies.   Bring extra inner covers with you so you can swap out a clean one when you remove the winter feed spacer box.  


Steve Petrilli,  Central Illinois

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html