Saturday, April 27, 2013
Splitting the colonies up
Today we split the 2 colonies into their separate hive bodies. The new hive has observation windows on both sides and a landing board for the girls.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
3rd inspection
Today should be the day I move the colonies to their new painted hive body. This didn't happen, it isn't ready yet. Hopefully I'll be able to do it next week.
I did however, take a good look at both colonies. Spotted both queens and got some photos. Both hives have 6-7 fully drawn out bars with others in varying stages of being drawn out. Both colonies have 4 empty bars left. Hopefully it will give me enough time to get this other hive body finished and painted.
View down at the 4th bar from the front
6th bar from the front.
7th bar. From here on in until the very last bar this is pretty much what they all look like. This bar the comb is getting a little off center near the ends.
This is the only picture I took of the 2nd colony. This was bar #4 I think. Everything behind it save the bar up against the follower/divider board was full. Added 1 more empty bar to both colonies. There is no room for anymore.
Really need to get that other hive built.
I did however, take a good look at both colonies. Spotted both queens and got some photos. Both hives have 6-7 fully drawn out bars with others in varying stages of being drawn out. Both colonies have 4 empty bars left. Hopefully it will give me enough time to get this other hive body finished and painted.
6th bar from the front.
7th bar. From here on in until the very last bar this is pretty much what they all look like. This bar the comb is getting a little off center near the ends.
Really need to get that other hive built.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Another inspection? So soon?
Decided to look into the colony again today. Since these are top bars I can do that without disturbing anything. All I did was pull off some end bars and look inside. Lots of new comb being build. Could see some clear nectar being stored so I pulled the feeders.
Killed 3 or 4 SHB in the feeder areas.
The hive body was built with a screened bottom board and a chamber to hold oil trays. Well today I installed the oil trays. Maybe I can do a better job of keeping ahead of the beetles this year.
Killed 3 or 4 SHB in the feeder areas.
The hive body was built with a screened bottom board and a chamber to hold oil trays. Well today I installed the oil trays. Maybe I can do a better job of keeping ahead of the beetles this year.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
First true inspection
It's been two weeks, time to take a look inside. I didn't bring my camera so I don't have any pictures.
There is already comb being drawn. One colony has comb on 3 bars the other on 2. Eggs are being laid, honey from my jar is being stored.
Didn't see any beetles inside the hive. Did find 2 in the feeding chambers. Bees were keeping them busy.
There is already comb being drawn. One colony has comb on 3 bars the other on 2. Eggs are being laid, honey from my jar is being stored.
Didn't see any beetles inside the hive. Did find 2 in the feeding chambers. Bees were keeping them busy.
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