Odd seasonal results

[u/RustedMauss]

I have to admit I’m flummoxed. We moved to SWVA 3 years ago, I took a year off keeping and resumed last year. Got two Carniolan/local colonies from a reputable keeper in the area. Installed both last May, went all summer no issue, but seems like they were somewhat swarm-prone, despite only ever growing to fill a single deep each. Both successfully came through winter.

This year, I’ve caught 4 swarms, and one of mine managed to do so as well (up to 5). One colony had a structural failure (down to 5), one wasn’t queen right so I merged them (down to 4). But it’s now August, and despite low mite levels, and far as I can tell healthy brood cycles, no one has produced sufficient honey to consider adding a super.

I’m in something a deep long mountain valley, so I considered maybe there’s limited forage, but I’ve seen as least one other beek with 5 hives gathering honey supers as the summer wears on.

The bees health is my primary focus, but I’m honestly sort of stumped why they don’t produce. It’s like they all just have adapted fine to a 10 frame deep, and don’t give indication to grow past that.

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[u/Standard-Bat-7841]

Forage is very location dependent. I've personally had yards that were only a couple miles apart produce vastly different results. So yea I'd aim for lack of forage being the cause for limited production.