April 10, 2015 Bend hives update--that's hives, plural!!

Today is a warmish day here in Bend, Oregon. Set second hive this week--a 'Ken final design' topbar. He has incorporated all the good things he has learned building topbar hives during the past several years and feels the design is complete--right now I think so, too. However, one never knows what one doesn't yet know...so we shall see. The size seems perfect; the feeder looks great and I look forward to seeing it in use; the bottom board and screen will facilitate hive checking; ventilation options should do well during hot weather--yes, I think we're ready to go! I placed some of the used bars from the hybrid hive that still have a bit of wax and propolis in this hive so it may become an "in place bait hive"--we shall see.

This afternoon I opened the Bend Warre hive feeder box, which is the lowest box in the hive tower, and found it to be very wet on sides of floor and top of sugar feeder as if water is leaking through where boxes join; lots of mold--not sure you can see it here. I think I'll duct tape around outside where hive boxes meet now. Then will vent at top and bottom on really warm days to see if it dries out. Better weather predicted for next week after this current storm passes, so will try the vents then.

As third picture looking up into the 2nd/bottom box shows, bees plentiful in hive although no comb being drawn yet in lower box. Bees on sugar in feeder and others flying for nectar and pollen today at 58 degrees.

Warre hive moved this winter and is now located in upper yard closer to house, where firepit had been, and at the farthest point away from firepit so smoke will not be an issue. New topbar hive situated not far from Warre, topped with the same blue roofing--see how nicely it coordinates with neighbor's outbuilding?!