Hi again
Don't worry at all about the ignorance stuff - we ALL start beekeeping exactly the same
Seems you've gone from a Nuc to TWO brood boxes in one season. Strewth - that either means one of those boxes is full of fresh air (i.e. empty - which is not good) - or - you've got yourself one helluva colony (which would be fantastic).
You say that you've been checking them occasionally - by that do you mean you've been pulling frames out and so forth ? If so, and if you're comfortable doing that - can I suggest you check both boxes while the weather is reasonably kind, and assess whether both of those boxes are really necessary. The less excess space they have over winter, the better. One other thing to be checking for at this time of the year is whether the colony has enough stores (i.e. capped honey). If not, then you'll need to feed 'em.
A suggestion: bearing in mind that you've been 'chucked in at the deep end of the pool' so to speak, might it be possible for you to make contact with a local beekeeping association and explain your situation, and maybe somebody could visit and watch over your shoulder once or twice ? People here (including myself) will be all too willing to help - but at a distance of course - and nothing beats the on-site presence of an experienced pair of hands and eyes when it comes to inspections.
If you're anywhere within West Norfolk - near King's Lynn/Dereham etc - can I suggest you contact Pete Davies at:
http://www.wnklba.co.uk/. He lives a mile or so from the Sutton Swing Bridge, and is a very approachable guy. I'm sure he'll help out if you're based in that area. Don't know about further into Norfolk, but I'm sure there are plenty of beekeepers around - as it's such a good county for beekeeping.
I won't comment on the use of Apiguard, as I've never used it. I'm very much a 'Vapourised Oxalic Acid and nothing else' person, and very much look forward to the day when I can even stop using that.
BTW - welcome to the forum - a good choice, this being the BEST beekeeping forum on the Internet. Bar none.
LJ