I got into my hive thoroughly for the first time today to move some deep frames around. I started it in late April with a nuc from BeeWeaver, which came with deep frames. I am using all medium equipment, so made a 3" shim which I placed on the bottom of the hive. This enabled me to place the deep frames in my medium box, directly on top of the shim. Over time I have added two more boxes. Today I removed all the boxes, pulled the deep frames and the shim, and placed the bottom box directly on the screened hive bottom. Then placed the shim on the top of that box, then the 2nd box into which I placed the deep frames (with the rest medium), then the top box, inner and outer covers. The bottom box has brood and some honey, the second box also. The top box has partially built comb and honey. The BeeWeaver deep frames have all hatched out and look like they have honey, but I could not tell for sure. Should have done a better inspection, but was intent on my plan to move the deep frames up in the hive toward eventual removal. I did not see the queen, and neglected to look for eggs or larvae. (dumb move number XXX, I know).
When I removed the shim from the hive bottom I found a thick (1") layer of bees covering the entire hive bottom. At first I thought it was all dead bees, but when I moved them with the hive tool they moved around.They were not moving around actively, like they do on the frames, and did not fly. I looked for shb and saw none. I have not tested for varroa, hoping to stay treatment free and depending on the BeeWeaver mite resistant queen. I saw no malformed wings or bees, but there were a few (3-4) empty bee carcasses. Did not see any ants. Seem to have orientation flights every afternoon. Bees do seem to 'hang around' on the outside of the hive a lot, but not bearding.
The hive bottom is screened, with the board removed. The bees were directly on the bottom screen. The hive has a top entrance the full width of the hive, reduced to one/half by #8 screen. I have not done any treatment. There is a bucket of water near the hive, with a sponge floating in it, but they do not seem to use it. Temperature here is mid 90's, humidity about 85%, light wind.
What is going on? Do I need to disturb the hive again now to look specifically for something?
When I removed the shim from the hive bottom I found a thick (1") layer of bees covering the entire hive bottom. At first I thought it was all dead bees, but when I moved them with the hive tool they moved around.They were not moving around actively, like they do on the frames, and did not fly. I looked for shb and saw none. I have not tested for varroa, hoping to stay treatment free and depending on the BeeWeaver mite resistant queen. I saw no malformed wings or bees, but there were a few (3-4) empty bee carcasses. Did not see any ants. Seem to have orientation flights every afternoon. Bees do seem to 'hang around' on the outside of the hive a lot, but not bearding.
The hive bottom is screened, with the board removed. The bees were directly on the bottom screen. The hive has a top entrance the full width of the hive, reduced to one/half by #8 screen. I have not done any treatment. There is a bucket of water near the hive, with a sponge floating in it, but they do not seem to use it. Temperature here is mid 90's, humidity about 85%, light wind.
What is going on? Do I need to disturb the hive again now to look specifically for something?