Had a chat re the congestion in my hive and also found the hives at the apiary were close to the same situation.
Decided to do a split so went home then when the sun had gone off the hive I opened up and noticed there were a few frames in the super where bees had just started on the waxworks today.
Found Tiger Lily on 4th brood frame and put that frame back into original hive. I did see eggs, larva and capped cells on her frame. The bees seemed to have cleared some space for the new eggs, maybe they had evaporated the nectar down?
Found a frame of brood with a queen cell hiding round the edge of comb and which I saw was charged so transferred that plus two more frames of brood into a new hive, also a frame of honey/nectar to get them started. The rest of the space filled with frames of foundation. Shook more bees in, closed up and fitted a mesh over the entrance for the night to keep bees in and permit ventilation.
Put frames of foundation into original hive to occupy the vacated spaces and noticed a clump of drone comb so using a cranked fork I opened this up to examine for varroa. Pleased to find none to be seen.
Fingers crossed that the extra space given will prevent the bees thinking of looking for alternative accommodation and the charged qc in the new hive develops into a healthy virgin queen.
Ordered another 14 x 12 brood box with frames and wax etc so I can stay one step ahead
Decided to do a split so went home then when the sun had gone off the hive I opened up and noticed there were a few frames in the super where bees had just started on the waxworks today.
Found Tiger Lily on 4th brood frame and put that frame back into original hive. I did see eggs, larva and capped cells on her frame. The bees seemed to have cleared some space for the new eggs, maybe they had evaporated the nectar down?
Found a frame of brood with a queen cell hiding round the edge of comb and which I saw was charged so transferred that plus two more frames of brood into a new hive, also a frame of honey/nectar to get them started. The rest of the space filled with frames of foundation. Shook more bees in, closed up and fitted a mesh over the entrance for the night to keep bees in and permit ventilation.
Put frames of foundation into original hive to occupy the vacated spaces and noticed a clump of drone comb so using a cranked fork I opened this up to examine for varroa. Pleased to find none to be seen.
Fingers crossed that the extra space given will prevent the bees thinking of looking for alternative accommodation and the charged qc in the new hive develops into a healthy virgin queen.
Ordered another 14 x 12 brood box with frames and wax etc so I can stay one step ahead
