Thursday, April 17, 2014

2014 Hive 5 (new package)

Hive status:  New 3lb package 2014
Hive origin: Package from Waldo Apiaries
Queen type: 2014 Italian (Buckeye Belle were not produced in time)

Significant events/observations:

I picked up this package on April 16, 2014 in Ashley, OH, near Columbus, OH.  Installed by me on 4/16/14 in the afternoon, 47 degrees and sunny.  Pail feeder placed on top.

4/21/14:  Queen had been released and eggs spotted.  Feeder nearly empty.

5/10/14:  Removed an ant nest from the deep which housed the sugar syrup.  Did not have enough light to open up and look for eggs or swarm cells.  Removed sugar syrup and entrance reducer.  Added first honey super.  Need to re-inspect.

5/19/14:  Eggs spotted, no signs of swarming, ok on space.

5/25/14:  Eggs spotted.  Rearranged deep frames to encourage wider brood nest.  Removed propolis from upper deep.

5/31/14:  Added new honey super and off-set entrance between top deep and lowest super.

6/10/14:  Eggs spotted Looks good.  Still room in second super, lots of honey in upper deep, most of the brood is in the lower deep.

6/22/14:  Eggs spotted, found many swarm cups, some with eggs and no royal jelly.  Added third super.

7/15/14:  Eggs spotted, space remaining in top (3rd) super.  Feisty bees!

8/2/14: Larvae spotted 5-6 days old, did not see eggs but did not look extensively (out of smoke and starting to rain).  Pulled capped honey frame by frame until down to 2 supers on hive.

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