3rd Hive Inspection

Emailed and spoke to my mentor Paul whilst on holiday last week - he is great - so much experience and so willing to offer advice and encouragement to complete beginners like me. He was initially concerned that it is a bit late in the season to start but after I had explained that it is a full colony with bees covering 7-8 frames he felt it should be fine: His concern was getting them through the winter if I was starting with low numbers. I asked about a super but he said it would do no goos on top but may help on the bottom. He said they will need 40 lbs of stores to get them through the winter and a full frame weighs about 7 lbs (Hooper says 5 lbs). Currently I reckon they have 2.5 frames of stores. Paul said I should feed them with 1x1 syrup until mid September and then 2x1 until mid October.
Hive inspection revealed PLENTY of sealed brood and larvae and eggs. The super was empty and they have now drawn the comb on the shallow frame that I put in with some natural comb below, They are now putting honey into the shallow. I tried moving the super to the bottom but it looked like the returning workers were confused - they were going in and then coming straight out again and so I took it out. They were a bit upset by this and lots came out buzzing round but I did not get stung! I added my smaller feeder with 1.5l of syrup. I'll take a look in a couple of days to see how much they are taking.
Must join the BDBKA.

Second inspection - saw some amazing things

Did my second inspection of Genesis yesterday and things look good.

Bees on the comb

The super I put on last week is being completely ignored! They are building up stores in the brood chamber and drawing out foundation on a shallow frame I put in. They are building comb off the bottom of that now and this is part of my IPM strategy for Varroa. It was fascinating to see them linked together in chains as they build the wax.

Workers linking together to build comb

I saw the queen - she is unmarked. I also saw a worker just emerging from her cell - amazing! I shook some bees off each frame to see the comb better and they do have some pollen stores there. Saw plenty of eggs.

Queeny - a bit blurred - you try holding a frame and camera whilst keeping an eye on her!

Supering

Made up 10 shallow frames and put them in a super. Took them down to the apiary - the place was buzzing - literally! Sunny today so they were in & out in great numbers and the hive was noticeably noisier. Put queen excluder on and one super - let's see how much honey they store in there.

First inspection

View of the inside of the brood box

Did my first full inspection of Genesis yesterday - under the watchful but distant gaze of my wife and son. Very exciting doing it on my own with my own bees! They are very docile and placid - good!
Went well, I think I remembered everything I've been taught. Didn't see the Queen so still don't know if she is marked. Saw some eggs, larvae and sealed brood - not loads but I believe brood production is supposed to drop now as they prepare for winter and population begins to drop. 3-4 full frames of honey seen so they are busy building up their stores for winter. Plenty of bees on the comb and so difficult to see if there is much pollen. 2 empty frames at one end with just foundation on - guess they may have been put in late by the supplier to fill the brood box - will try moving those nearer the centre to see if they draw them. Will put a super on as it looks quite full in there: Not expecting to get any honey off this year but if they put store in there I will leave it on for them through the winter.

close up of bees on the frames

Bees have built some comb to bridge between frame and side of box

Robbing

Went to apiary yesterday to remove the travel screen - was an easy job. The bees seemed very calm and few came out. Put the glass crownboard on. I noticed a few wasps around the hive entrance trying to get in si I removed the travel staples and replaced the floor with my mesh one. I was thus able to put in an entrance reducer to help them defend the hive more easily.

The bees have arrived!

Genesis Hive

Yes, it has happened at last - I picked up my bees 2 days ago and installed them in my apiary. After years of wanting to, 1 year of planning to, 6 months of research and 4 months of training I am now officially a   beekeeper! A head full of knowledge and zero experience I now enter an unfamiliar world. Looking forward to learning how to work with these amazing creatures that God has created - very exciting.

A few of the girls venture out

Still waiting!

Thought the bees might arrive this week. Last minute 'phone call from supplier saying they were currently sited within 3 miles of my out apiary and so I would have to wait another week or so while they move them to another apiary over 3 miles away and then I can install them in mine! Grrrr - they have had my address for weeks. Patience dear boy, patience.