Was in my hive yesterday, but they were really arsey, so as I didn't have all my gear with me, I gave up to give myself time this mornign to complete the brood box and frames to double brood it.
One thing I did discover yesterday was that I probably have a dodgy Thorne's plastic QE as the super I put on last week remained undrawn and there were only a handful of bees in there.
Anyway, today, got in and noticed still prettty much full to bursting. Lots of capped brood, some eggs and plenty of larvae, lots of stores and packed with pollen.
The QE clearly wasn't allowing bees either way easily as I could see some straining to get up but were unable and the half dozen above trying to move down but could not.
Didn't see HM (again), but with eggs, I know she's been there in the last couple of days. Lots of drone brood on the bottom of a few of the frames, so hopeful I haven't committed regicide as once the next brood box went under, one of the frames popped up due to the amount of drone brood. Anyway, reomved a good bit more than I might have as I removed some last week, but I had little choice.
Half a dozen play cups (much more like what I thought play cups loooked like and none of the laid in as far as I could see. Have left double brood and super above as I can only hope they will divert energy into drawing the foundation in top and bottom.
Checked most of the drones in different stages after and found zero varroa, even in previously unopened cells, so although keeping a watching brief, things are looking promising and I may not use the ApiLife Var I have if my next recorded count stays really low.
They were remarkably good natured today, but have abandoned the Thorne's cardboard packing as some of it that looks free of plastics must have some treat ment as the tar is high and it is rather acrid. Today I used stalks from lavender I harvested last year and it was quite pleasant for me and the bees were not too badly behaved at all.
