Yesterday the sun came out and the day warmed up. The perfect weather for going into my swarm’s box and adding the much needed additional frames. When I had set the bait box up, I only added 4 frames with drawn comb on the left side. The right side, that the entrance was on, I did not put frames so the swarm would have room to move in. I had watched quite a few YouTube videos and I saw a few beekeepers do this. Seemed like a good idea. I guess it is as long as you don’t wait too long before you add the remaining frames in so the bees don’t build on the lid. Since I waited a month before going into the box, they had built quite a bit of comb on the underside of the lid. If I ever wanted to be able to add another level to the hive and collect honey, I would have to separate the comb and do my best to put the comb on frames. This was the first time I had ever attempted it, and it was a bit chaotic to say the least. I was going purely on what the wonderful people at my favorite bee store, Bee Kind in Sebastopol, had told me. Mind you, they gave me a lot of information and I did not write it down. I am sure if any seasoned beekeepers see these pictures they would have a few words for me. I did the best I could at the time, and I just hope it works. The job only took me 15 minutes, if that, but a lot of comb was mangled and I lost a few bees. The scraps of comb I couldn’t save, I added to the top feeder for them to recycle. This morning they are very quiet. I haven’t seen a bee come out yet. I am worried. It might just be too early and cold for them, or they might just be hard at work with repairs. I’m not feeling too confident though.
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1 - Getting ready to open up the box
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2 - I made sure I had all the necessary tools ready
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3 - Opened up the hive and bringing the lid with comb down to my worktable.
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4 - Look at the beautiful comb!
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5 - YIKES! The comb bends easy. Gotta be careful and keep it straight
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6 - The ladies are MAD!!!
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7 - Getting right to work cutting the comb from the lid.
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8 - Putting the comb on the frame and securing it with rubber-bands.
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9 - Getting it set right.
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10- Showing off my handy work
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11 - Putting the frame with the comb in the box. Trying to keep it in the same order it was before I cut it.
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12 - On the the next piece of comb
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13 - Look at all those bees on the lid. They were very mad at me.
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14 - Adding new frames so they wont build on the lid again.
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15 - Putting the lid back on
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16 - Back up I go on the ladder. I was so nervous
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