GrandmaB's Notes: Probably last hive check of the fall

Another hive check, 20 min, partly cloudy, 68°, calm. Bees flying today, 30% returning with pollen. Got a sting on cheek soon after moving B15 to the cradle, so put on the veil. B15 appears much the same as it did a week ago. Cut through brace comb on B14, bringing the blade of the hive tool up from the bottom of the comb next to the hive side with a gentle sawing motion. Set B14 on the cradle, too, in order to look at and move B13 to see B12. (Because of two added bars during the summer—2.5 and 9.5—B13 is actually B15 and B15 is actually B17 in the hive, etc.) Good to see that the comb on B13 and B12 is drawn deep into the hive with a small amount of brace comb near the top and a good number of capped honey cells. Not keen about the cross combing on the front side between B12 & B13; appears to be a small amount of cross combing from B13 to B14 also on the front side. Next spring we will probably find that same configuration back to B10, which is where it all started a few months ago. Really wanted to go further back to find where the brood is but after about 15 min the buzzing inside the hive became much louder and more agitated bees were flying closer to where I was working, it was time to close up and leave. They have capped honey through B13 and a good amount on the right half of B14; they should have enough food for winter. Later in October I'll remove B16, which is still empty, and move the follower in to reduce air space in the hive.

Ants were up under the roof so I sprinkled cinnamon where they were entering…frustrating ants, which will always be here but I don’t want them on/in the hive. Will mix up a borax solution and see if that eliminates the nest that is infesting the hive area.