First inspection with two boxes on each hive, part 2.

Fourth inspection of Hive A and Hive B, Sunday, 6/16/13:

[Note:  This is follow-up to the July 7, 2013 post, with video links below.]

To recap, this was day 43 for the hives, with the packages having been installed Saturday the 4th of May, 2013.  We were able to do a full inspection today, as the weather was in the mid-70's.  The inspection started at about 1820.  There were two boxes on each hive, and I felt a bit more rushed for time.  But, overall it went well.  Inspection ended at 1850.

The videos (part 1 and part 2) tell most of the tale.  It was fun to see the bees moving into their second box and drawing out more comb.  With how much wax they were making (and how little syrup they were taking in), they were clearly finding a great deal of nectar in the wild.

First inspection with two boxes on each hive.

Fourth inspection of Hive A and Hive B, Sunday, 6/16/13:

This was day 43 for the hives, with the packages having been installed Saturday the 4th.  I was able to do a full inspection today, as the weather was in the mid-70's.  The inspection started at about 1820.  There were two boxes on each hive, and I felt a bit more rushed for time.  But, overall it went well.

Again, the bees took very little syrup.  They had taken less than 10% of the gallon that they each had available.  Interestingly, the lid of the feeder pail is covered with bees; yet, they take so little syrup.  So, I only provided 1/2 gallon to each hive, new buckets.  I also added pollen patties to each hive, but just 1/2 a patty per hive.  I'm not sure what the shelf life of a pollen patty is, and I have a dozen, so I thought I'd see if they could make use of it.

For the inspection of Hive A, I tried to take of box A-2 but found it to be very heavy.  I soon learned that I was pulling up 4 central frames from A-1 that were burr comb attached to the frames above them.  When they broke apart, honey and nectar started pouring from the broken comb.  This was unfortunate, but unavoidable.  If the burr comb (comb that is built out of place) isn't dealt with regularly, the condition will only worsen.  Subsequent inspections can become even more damaging to the bees or even more difficult to carry out.

This is an incomplete post without a video (yet).  I'm hoping to edit the video over the 4th of July holiday and get it posted.  I have another inspection to be done this week/weekend, too.