Sorry upfront for the length. This year is my entry into Beekeeping...started this year. Installed 2 packages into 2 hives on 26APR into exactly the same build medium hives...9 black plastic frames with one green drone comb in slot 2. Solid bottom boards...with an inner feeder like the Burns Bee Feeding system. Both have an entrance excluder with a 3/8x3 opening. We named them BHA (Bee Hive A) and BHB (Bee Hive B)...see attached pic.
BHA queen died in the cage after checking 3 days later, and Long Lane Honey Bee Farm out of Illinois was AWESOME and sent another queen the next day. She took in a few days and could see eggs by the end of the week. Booth hives are laying and capping brood ....Both are laying up to the Green Drone Comb I put in slot 2.
Been feeding each a 1/8 pollen patty as they would take it and 1:1 sugar. BHB has been taking the pollen and sugar water about 2x what BHA has. Been inspecting each week and see the queens, capped brood, as well as pollen and nectar. I added another box on top of BHB last week cause they were pulling foundation on frames 2 thru 10. BHA has foundation on 4-8/9
BHA just doesn't seem to be doing as well as BHA. Just not as much activity at the entrance of BHA as what BHB does. what I have noticed is a couple things...where the hives are located:
any thoughts? My boys are loving this...more attached pics
BHA queen died in the cage after checking 3 days later, and Long Lane Honey Bee Farm out of Illinois was AWESOME and sent another queen the next day. She took in a few days and could see eggs by the end of the week. Booth hives are laying and capping brood ....Both are laying up to the Green Drone Comb I put in slot 2.
Been feeding each a 1/8 pollen patty as they would take it and 1:1 sugar. BHB has been taking the pollen and sugar water about 2x what BHA has. Been inspecting each week and see the queens, capped brood, as well as pollen and nectar. I added another box on top of BHB last week cause they were pulling foundation on frames 2 thru 10. BHA has foundation on 4-8/9
BHA just doesn't seem to be doing as well as BHA. Just not as much activity at the entrance of BHA as what BHB does. what I have noticed is a couple things...where the hives are located:
- they are on the south side of my garage, get sun in the morning, and have a shade tree in the afternoon. What I saw today is that BHA get more shade than BHB (attached pic)
- infront of BHA there is a boat kinda sticking in the line of their 'landing flight'.
- I also noticed a bunch of 'bee butts' sitting right outside, which alot of bird poo (attached pic) could birds be sitting and picking them off?
any thoughts? My boys are loving this...more attached pics




