Help

[jon011784]

Help please

what is wrong with my hive?
It looks like my really strong hive has lost over half of the bees and what is wrong with the cones and honey

 

[Anduril]

First of all it looks like a nuc and not a hive, this would lead to them swarming in such a confined space. The last part, that is wild comb, underneath frames you may be using 14x12 nucs and standard brood frames. Now we need more information as to your set up.
This thread should be moved to the beginners section.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Is that a space at the side of the hive? It's full of comb the bees have bait themselves without the guidance of a wax frame.
What else is going on? Can you tell us as much as you can? When did you get it? What sort of box is it in? Do you inspect it and when was the last time? Is there brood? A queen? Try not to miss anything out or half the thread will be asking you these questions.

 

[jon011784]

Okay it’s a long story when I first got the bees and installed them I was told it was all right to take the big can that they came with and put it in there and let them finish it up
Unfortunately they built the cones around the can before I could get it out
So I went to another forum and asked what I should do about it I was told just to leave the can alone and let them have it that is why there’s the space
This hive is now on its second summer
They were doing fantastic I had a nice healthy beautiful hive two months ago and then this
The following video and picture is My bees last summer

 

[jon011784]

I’m sorry I put this in the wrong section of this forum unfortunately I am not tec savvy
And I could not get the video to upload

 

[Anduril]

First of all you need to cut out all the wild comb and can and replace the void with frames, this will make the hive easier to manage. The honey or sugar syrup can then be fed back to the bees. Whereabouts are you as you have a package of bees and not a nuc of bees. The reason for losing half your bees is that the hive has swarmed. Am I to use the term inner cover or crownboard? You could crush the wild comb and feed it back above the inner cover/crownboard, provided you have a telescopic roof and not a migratory roof. I'm assuming you are across the pond.

 

[enrico]

Where are you based? Let's see if we an get a volunteer to help you!

 

[jon011784]

First of all you need to cut out all the wild comb and can and replace the void with frames, this will make the hive easier to manage. The honey or sugar syrup can then be fed back to the bees. Whereabouts are you as you have a package of bees and not a nuc of bees. The reason for losing half your bees is that the hive has swarmed. Am I to use the term inner cover or crownboard? You could crush the wild comb and feed it back above the inner cover/crownboard, provided you have a telescopic roof and not a migratory roof. I'm assuming you are across the pond.

I am in Nebraska
I started with a package but my hive is two supers With eight frames each with the exception of the second super that has the can

 

[jon011784]

Where are you based? Let's see if we an get a volunteer to help you!

I am 6 miles south of Lewellen Nebraska

 

[drex]

As already said you need to clear out any wild or brace comb, such that any frame is easily removed. Then do a full inspection and report back, mainly to tell us about the state of any brood. You also need to read up on "bee space".
This colony can easily be brought back into shape. Do not be disheartened

 

[Anduril]

8 frame langstroth mediums, for the top box you need to remove all the wild comb and replace the space with frames. This forum is UK based, the wild comb needs to be fed back to the bees, a common US practice would be to open feed the wild comb back to the bees, which is not something we do in the UK, the wild comb is fed back inside the hive, this stops robbing and reduces the spread of bee diseases. If you have a hole in your inner cover and place the crushed wild comb on a plate, the bees will take the stores down and draw out the frames you have added. Your hive will now be easier to manage for inspections.

 

[enrico]

I am in Nebraska
I started with a package but my hive is two supers With eight frames each with the exception of the second super that has the can

That rules me out then. To my knowledge we don't have many members from that area we are mainly UK based. So, the advice given is your best bet. Good luck