In the late afternoon, Noah and I went out to the hive.\u00a0 There’s been so much activity since the last inspection (I did one without pictures and without reporting here in early April).\u00a0 At that time, there were more bees and more brood.<\/p>\n
This time, there’s been a bee\/brood explosion and activity on frames that have never been used.\u00a0 I also saw a bee attack a hive beetle which was very good to see.<\/p>\n
Frame 1 (out): some bees here.\u00a0 I don’t think I’ve ever seen bees here!<\/p>\n
Frame 1 (in): bees here too!<\/p>\n
Frame 2 (out): bees here, which is new.\u00a0 Killed a hive beetle on the frame.<\/p>\n
Frame 2 (in): bees here!<\/p>\n
Frame 3 (out): hundreds of bees.\u00a0 Comb near the top.\u00a0 Maybe some nectar storage beginning.\u00a0 this frame was untouched previously.\u00a0 There’s a hole in the middle of the frame<\/p>\n
Frame 3 (in): hundreds of bees.\u00a0 A glob of comb has been built near a hole.\u00a0 Perhaps the foundation broke and the bees built it up anyway?\u00a0 There’s new comb toward the upper right of this frame.\u00a0 It looks like mostly nectar storage, but there might be some pollen in there also.<\/p>\n
Frame 4 (out): There were no bees at all on this frame last month.\u00a0 Now there are hundreds.\u00a0 Holes around the wires have lengthened into long gaps.\u00a0 The comb is much better developed and looks to be used for nectar.<\/p>\n
Frame 4 (in): thousands of bees?\u00a0 The picture’s blurry but there appears to be good comb development and perhaps pollen storage.<\/p>\n
Frame 5 (out): this frame has been converted from honey to brood.\u00a0 Thousands of bees here, maybe 2\/3 brood.<\/p>\n
Frame 5 (in): Another brood explosion here.\u00a0 Honey’s gone, brood and larvae on a good half of this frame.<\/p>\n
Frame 6 (in): Thousands of bees.\u00a0 Honey gone, brood on 2\/3 of the frame.<\/p>\n
Frame 6 (out): Thousands of bees.\u00a0 maybe 50% brood?<\/p>\n
Frame 7 (in): Thousands of bees.\u00a0 50% brood.\u00a0 Queen seen running to other side of frame.<\/p>\n
Frame 7 (out): fewer bees here than on the last few frames.\u00a0 Brood in middle have hatched, brood ring around center.<\/p>\n
Frame 8 (in): hundreds of bees.\u00a0 Comb developing, liquid storage.\u00a0 Nothing here last month.<\/p>\n
Frame 8 (out): thousands of bees.\u00a0 comb developing on upper half.<\/p>\n
Frame 9: a handful of bees on either side.<\/p>\n
Frame 10: a few bees on the inside of the frame.\u00a0 This is a new development.<\/p>\n
Frame 11:\u00a0 A frame in the box below appears to be untouched.\u00a0 Moved it to under the center of the hive.<\/p>\n
With all the brood in there, this hive looks set to explode.\u00a0 I guess I’d better start wiring up some more frames!<\/p>\n