3-30-2012 Package Install

I picked up a package and new hive from VABeeSupply on Wednesday.  I wanted to get these bees in a new box, so I went down to Mathews.  Dad was kind enough to man the camera and help get the site prepped.  We videoed the event... Unfortunately, this install was not quite as uneventful as the one last year, but I managed to get away with only one sting.  In retrospect, I think this was really just a fluke... since the sting was on my forearm (underneath the long sleeve shirt).  At any rate, there is another hive down in Mathews county now.  The only concern is how close the hives are,  but we can move the new one later (at night) if it becomes an issue.  I was going to try to get into the first hive, but should probably have done that before the install.

3-23-2012 Hive Body reversal and honey super

With the weather being so warm, it made sense to check the hive and do some maintenance.  I've read that it's a good idea to switch the upper and lower hive bodies in spring to encourage the queen to start moving into the less occupied.  I also decided to add a queen excluder and honey super.... although it might have been a bit premature.  Some pictures below show the frames as I went through the box.

 One frame from the top box without too much going on.

 A frame close to the edge of the box.

 A frame with a decent brood pattern, looks like the center eggs have hatched recently. Capped honey in the upper corners.

 Some interesting wax being built on the bottom of this frame.  Doesn't look like queen cups though.

 Close up of some capped brood.

 Fairly new comb with what looks like drone cells.

 A peek down into the lower brood chamber.  There weren't quite as many bees in this box... and definitely not as much brood.  The bees definitely were "mostly" in the upper box.  I decided to swap the boxes to encourage them to lay more eggs in this box.

Looking through the frames in the lower box.

 Swapped upper and lower brood chambers..... and a honey super on top

3-10-2012 Adding some Sugar Syrup ...

Went down to Mathews again to feed the bees seeing as how warm it's been and not a whole lot is blooming yet.  There was some activity.... but it was interesting to take the cover off the hive and see the crowd at the top of the box.  In the picture below, you can see a  bunch of young fuzzy bees hanging out in the slot leading to the feeder.  They now have a gallon or so of sugar water to get started.