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Newbee here, one hive, started with three pound package in mid April, medium eight frame hive box. They're up to five medium boxes now, one so full of honey (almost all capped) that I can hardly lift it.
So I opened the hive today. Top box, good progress drawing comb. (just added it last week.) next box, heavy with honey. Next box I peeked at the top of the frames and saw capped honey. Box very heavy. So I assumed (mistakes start here) since it was a lower storey that it had a pretty good chance of being ready. Bottom two boxes brood. I outbox five in the three position, box four in the four position, a bee escape, then pulled a frame to show my husband our capped honey. Only it was capped honey and sealed brood. So I went to take off the escape, by now swarming with bees. Took it off anyway, put box three in the five position, closed up hive, put bee-covered escape by hive entrance. They're off the escape now, but on the landing in front of the entrance there are a couple of piles of bees, just all on top of each other, moving a little. It's not hot, actually breezy, and there was a brief shower after I shut the hive.
Sorry to take so long in the retelling. What are they doing? Every time I open the hive I'm sure I've killed the queen. I hate the way I crunch bees when I put boxes on, and drop frames, and bang things, and drip honey everywhere. I always suspect the worst, like balling. I found a flea beetle in the hive and was sure it was a small hive beetle till an expert told me no.
(All that said, I love my bees and I'm enjoying this adventure! Or addiction, maybe.)
So I opened the hive today. Top box, good progress drawing comb. (just added it last week.) next box, heavy with honey. Next box I peeked at the top of the frames and saw capped honey. Box very heavy. So I assumed (mistakes start here) since it was a lower storey that it had a pretty good chance of being ready. Bottom two boxes brood. I outbox five in the three position, box four in the four position, a bee escape, then pulled a frame to show my husband our capped honey. Only it was capped honey and sealed brood. So I went to take off the escape, by now swarming with bees. Took it off anyway, put box three in the five position, closed up hive, put bee-covered escape by hive entrance. They're off the escape now, but on the landing in front of the entrance there are a couple of piles of bees, just all on top of each other, moving a little. It's not hot, actually breezy, and there was a brief shower after I shut the hive.
Sorry to take so long in the retelling. What are they doing? Every time I open the hive I'm sure I've killed the queen. I hate the way I crunch bees when I put boxes on, and drop frames, and bang things, and drip honey everywhere. I always suspect the worst, like balling. I found a flea beetle in the hive and was sure it was a small hive beetle till an expert told me no.
(All that said, I love my bees and I'm enjoying this adventure! Or addiction, maybe.)