Hive check 4.8.13

It is a nice warm day, 76*. There are a few big puffy clouds and I opened up the hive when they were overhead so there wouldn’t be any chance of comb damage from the Florida sun.  It’s amazing how hot it can be.

I stacked 2 medium suppers on the cover so I would have a place to put a frame or two.

Jim was suited up, taking pictures and making sure the smoker was working in case I needed it.

I gave them a little puff or two then pulled out a frame.

The first frame had one small comb from the TBH. I put that in the holding box, then slid the next frame with a small comb to the outside. Frame 3 also had a small comb.  Then lifted this one out.

This comb was originally in the TBH that swarmed. That is why it has the nice straight edge on the bottom. I had to cut it to fit the Lang's frame. We trimmed the ends of the top bars so they would fit up inside the frame then Jim put 2 screws in the top to hold them in place.

You can see the other small comb. That came from the TBH too. The 4 frames with 2 screws in the top were originally in the TBH. The one in my hand, one in the holding boxes and 2 in the hive body with the screws.

Here is a close up.  Looks like nectar and pollen?

This is a comb they built themselves….. it looks like sealed brood. If I am wrong please let me know.  After I saw this I decided to quit while I was ahead. I didn’t want to go deeper into the brood nest or risk hurting or losing the Queen.

Here’s a look at frame #6.

All the girls were nice and quiet. Didn’t seem to mind my presence so maybe I wasn’t giving off any anxiety scents. It looked like there was comb on the other frames so I didn’t mess with them.

Since there were 3 frames with small comb started, and the others filled out,  I decided to place a medium on them.  If they continue to look active and bring in lots of pollen, maybe I wont have to open them again for awhile. Darn!! 

I always wonder how much damage I am doing when I start moving stuff around and do I remember to put it back as I found it.

How do the feral bees manage without a keeper poking her nose into their business every few weeks?

I have more fun sitting in a chair watching the ladies coming and going than I do watching TV. Much more interesting. When they get tired of me sitting there…someone will buzz me and I go on my way.

They’ve been in the hive 26 days….I think the numbers should start increasing soon, if they haven’t  already.

I know there are a lot of bees out foraging and it looks like there are a fairly good number on the combs that I pulled, and even more on those that I didn’t…..does it look like more than a package would contain? I hope so…..