nsmith1957
07-13-2007, 07:37 PM
I do believe my strongest hive swarmed on me. I had to do some work for the inlaws, that kept me away from the bees for 3 weeks. They were not feed during that period. When I went into this hive Thursday it was full of honey. There was not the number of bees at the entrance that I normally see, about half as many. All med supers (4) were 70% to 80% full of honey. The brood chamber was 50% to 60% full too. Removed 20 med frames that were completely capped. I left 7 or 8 frames that were not capped enough to remove. Found two queen cells that were complete and queen had emerged. Could not do much for the brood chamber, it is a very large experimental chamber. Will have to keep a close watch on this one, there are still a lot of bees in it and it could swarm again if I don't keep it opened up. When I get the queens from Michael Bush, I will split this hive and the other one. The other hive has not done as well as this one. Only took out 5 completely capped med frames for the same 3 week time period.