Hi everyone!
I just built two top bar hives with a friend and we set them up in my yard. Last weekend we put a box o' bees in each. We did, however, loose one of the queens when we were trying to do that darn marshmallow thing. But, she flew back in and we saw her in the hive. We assumed that she had been traveling with her mates long enough and hoped all would be well. What to do at that point anyway? So, almost a week has passed and I am trying to figure out if the differences in the hives are just how hives are: they are all different.
Or, is it that this particular hive is queenless?
During the night they are the same...huddled in a neat ball keeping each other warm. During the day (this week it has been sunny and in the 60's!!!!), they seem different. The one hive with the queen in her box with a marshmallow (which we assume has been eaten out by now, but haven't checked) - this hive seems like the bees are obviously working, they are buzzing all around and going in and out and eating the sugar water like mad. However, even during the day, they seem pretty clumped together and organized.
Hive #2, which is where the queen was loose in the hive with her travel companion bees seems equally active and equally hungry. We built pull out drawers on the hives and when we pull out this one there are wax droppings all over the place - obviously making comb. So, that makes me think it is a good sign, that they are making comb. (Funny that I don't see any wax on the hive I am not as worried about - maybe I should be?). Anyway, hive #2 - again, where the queen was loose - it seems that during the day the bees are less organized - not as clumped into a ball. Almost think I can see some chaining. They are definately more spread out in the hive (we gave each hive about 8 bars worth of room). They are not as clumped together.
What do you folks think?
Should I not worry about either?
Am I worrying about the wrong hive?
Should I just trust mother nature and the bees and let go and celebrate the diversity of hives?! Thanks in advance for your thoughts!!!
Liz in seattle
I just built two top bar hives with a friend and we set them up in my yard. Last weekend we put a box o' bees in each. We did, however, loose one of the queens when we were trying to do that darn marshmallow thing. But, she flew back in and we saw her in the hive. We assumed that she had been traveling with her mates long enough and hoped all would be well. What to do at that point anyway? So, almost a week has passed and I am trying to figure out if the differences in the hives are just how hives are: they are all different.
Or, is it that this particular hive is queenless?
During the night they are the same...huddled in a neat ball keeping each other warm. During the day (this week it has been sunny and in the 60's!!!!), they seem different. The one hive with the queen in her box with a marshmallow (which we assume has been eaten out by now, but haven't checked) - this hive seems like the bees are obviously working, they are buzzing all around and going in and out and eating the sugar water like mad. However, even during the day, they seem pretty clumped together and organized.
Hive #2, which is where the queen was loose in the hive with her travel companion bees seems equally active and equally hungry. We built pull out drawers on the hives and when we pull out this one there are wax droppings all over the place - obviously making comb. So, that makes me think it is a good sign, that they are making comb. (Funny that I don't see any wax on the hive I am not as worried about - maybe I should be?). Anyway, hive #2 - again, where the queen was loose - it seems that during the day the bees are less organized - not as clumped into a ball. Almost think I can see some chaining. They are definately more spread out in the hive (we gave each hive about 8 bars worth of room). They are not as clumped together.
What do you folks think?
Should I not worry about either?
Am I worrying about the wrong hive?
Should I just trust mother nature and the bees and let go and celebrate the diversity of hives?! Thanks in advance for your thoughts!!!
Liz in seattle
