Six weeks since the two packages were installed in the hives (2011 TBH and 2012 Warre). All is looking good, bees have been making orientation flights these past several days and blackberries are blooming, which indicates honey flow here in this area of Oregon. Also, the roadsides in our rural areas are covered with Queen Anne's Lace, a favorite pollen/nectar source. The new bees matured just in time--40 days since queen confirmed out and laying, with eggs and larvae identified. It's really special to see the new bees, fuzzy and bright golden color, making the orientation flights.
Removed the 1:1 sugar syrup feeder from the Warre and added box 3 to the bottom with help from Lee and son Jon lifting the top sections. Although we didn't look into the upper boxes, we know that the bars in the top box (box 1) all have drawn comb (from seeing from the top where feeders were positioned) and expect that comb has also been drawn in box 2. On a very warm, calm day we will lift boxes 1 and 2 and take a photo from underneath. The bees will now move brood into the lower box (2) and use box 1 for honey storage.
Sugar syrup was removed a week ago from TBH because the bees were not using it. Today we added six bars, which were from the 2011 hive and from which honey had been harvested; they had wax residue and a bit of honey on them and were stored in the freezer to keep vermin away and to kill any mites, bacteria, viruses, etc. When I checked 8 hours later, the bars had been propolised and bees were exploring bars to the end of the hive by the left follower. There are now 16 bars in the hive space, eight of which have comb drawn.
I believe not checking the hives each week as was done last year per suggestions by established beekeepers has made the colonies stronger; there seems to be much more activity this year compared to 2011. Maybe wishful thinking, but I think not. Research indicates that it takes 1-2 days for bees to recover from an open hive disturbance.
Now I'm off to Costa Rica on a pleasure trip--hoping to see bees there and return with those very special coffee beans for friends! Next report when I return mid-July.
