My 1st try at opening my hive

[fillmiller]

What do you do when the lid has a comb attached? I wanted to place the inside cover in but it looks like I was too late. The hive is full of bees and they seem healthy and happy. Thankfully they didn't sting one time as I haven't gotten any protection yet. Could not wearing after shave or prfumed antiperperants have anything to do with that or are the just very tame/ I've even held a couple in my hand.

[Konrad]

This is what happens when the inner cover is not put in place...

You have to pray the cover off somehow with a pry bar....just be careful when flipping over, incase some comb is attached with bees and brood or queen. Is this your first hive, first inspection?

Sometimes, your bees a very gentle, sometimes they are nasty, like today, one of my bees was hunting me down about 15 Yards from the hive, I think it was the weather change....and Yes, don't wear any smelly stuff!
Konrad

[BeeBear]

>> What do you do when the lid has a comb attached?

I'm not sure if you mean "frame" attached. If you took off the outer cover and a frame came with it, I would suggest breaking it off and re-inserting into the super. Then clean enough of the burr comb off the top bars so that you can install the inner cover.

It's likely that this procedure will upset your bees a bit, especially if there is brood in the comb that you're scraping. If possible, I'd at least be wearing a veil. If you can't obtain an "official" bee veil, can you perhaps find locally a mosquito hat to protect yourself? You don't want bees in your face as that will basically keep you from being gentle as you fiddle with the comb, etc.

If you're concerned about destroying comb that contains brood, consider it an investment in the long-term health of the colony. You need to get things under control now, or the situation will just get worse. I'm not suggesting that you scrape off every piece of burr comb, but you need to be able to open things up to do your inspections. "Movable frames" should be movable.

Most important, enjoy the beekeeping experience.

[fillmiller]

These bees are a swarm the liked the looks of my hive. A friend gave me the hive after after wax moths killed the bees. I cleaned it out and it has been sitting under an Oak tre for about 4 years empty. I had thought about getting some bees and even installed fondation in some frames. (not all) These girls surprised me by taking over. There were 2 brood chambers, and 1 super. the super is missing a frame and the bees had hung a comb of their own in this slot attached to the cover. The cover comes off easy enough.

I am a raw recruit to beekeeping and I was waiting to learn more about taking care of them before I jumped in and killed off several thousand of the little darlings.

[iddee]

First find a frame to fill the hole. Then lift the lid and cut the comb from it and put the new frame in the super. Put the inner lid on, then the outer lid. Presto, You're done. Carry the comb 20 to 50 feet away and prop it up so they can clean it out from both sides. DO NOT go near it without a veil, even if you aren't wearing it.
You can always put it on while running.

[fillmiller]

Heh,heh. Why put it on while Running? Are you saying they might sting me?

I ordered the things I thought I might need today. I thought you guys might say what you did but I wanted to ask the Experts before I went in chopping. Thank you all for the advice. I'll apply it as soon as my stuff gets here.

[iddee]

STING YOU??? NEVER, "more then once per bee".

[tecumseh]

if you have not already destroyed this bit of natural comb attached to the inner top of the hive, if you are very careful you can rubber band this existing wax into a replacement frame (I use my old frames for this purpose). place two or three band on the end of the frame, set frame over wax and cut (a serrated knife works for me) to fit, pull rubber band towards center of frame to hold wax in place and replace into hive. after about two to three weeks the girls will have reattached wax to frame and you can pop off the rubber bands.

[fillmiller]

I like that idea! I'll give it a try. Then I won't have to walk around carring the veil and worrying about getting stung. heh,heh

I gave them a couple wintergreen life savers today, they seem to love them.