Warre hive seed comb moved into 2nd box

Today's weather was perfect for opening the hive and moving seed comb from top box into second box as suggested in the Warre hive conversation--see yesterday's notes.

First, I removed and set aside the top box; many bees on top of bars in second box and bearding down into the open. I sprayed with water so they would move further down and not fly.

Top of 2nd box with seed comb third from right.

Next, I removed the 3rd bar from the right, west side, of the second box.


Then, I opened cloth cover on the furthermost right, west side, of top box and attempted to remove comb. Comb broke off about 1.5" down; fortunately comb was secured to ends of hive so remaining comb remained in place. Unfortunately, this was in the middle of a nursery and one can see three undeveloped bees (white). I thought the end bars might not have brood--I was wrong. This indicates to me that that top box is overcrowded.

Opened top box with seed comb removed--partial comb that is.

Close up of top of broken comb with white, undeveloped bees.

Lastly, I inserted seed comb into third bar space in second box and closed hive.

Seed comb being installed in second box.

Sadly, three bees were crushed in the process when placing top box on table. I used water in a spray bottle to simulate rain which makes bees want to get under cover; prefer not to use smoke which means forest fire and bees gorge on honey as a precaution for evacuation.

Added 1:1 spring syrup at back opening in case they want to use it to build new comb in lower box.

Now I wait and check hive in a few days to see if 'seed' comb brings comb building to second box.

Mid June 2015 status of Bend hives

A couple of things are happening...bees are thriving in both hives, new bees doing orientation flights, drones appearing, and workers foraging and returning with pollen and nectar--just as it should be!

Top Bar Hive: Lowered the bottom board of the top bar hive for ventilation several days ago because of the warm weather and left it lowered. Noticed that bees were staying on the board and not going into the hive; looked again this morning and see that they are building piles of propolis--I'm guessing in an effort to seal the bottom. So, I will clean the board and replace it securely so there is no opening at the bottom and will leave it in place until really hot weather when bees are settling on the outside during the nights.

Bottom board with propolis piles

I see a few mites--not enough to treat at this time.

Also, the bees have greatly reduced their 1:1 syrup intake and I shall stop providing it in a few days I expect. The comb building had reached the 14th bar last week so I added more bars, for a total of 22 now. That should be adequate; however, I will check the hive in a few days to be certain.

Bar 14 comb

Warre Hive: The bees are not moving out of the top box. I have asked for input from local Warre hive owners and was offered an online site to check for information. Although I was unable to login because I'm not a member of Yahoo, I did find another site with useful information about "false bottoms" in Warre hives.  It seems one should 'seed' the next lower box with a comb from the top box. I will do this soon. Otherwise, it will be as the Independence hive--a pollinating and swarming hive, which is fine, too. The bees in that hive never moved down during the three years they colonized the hybrid hive; now I'm thinking it probably wasn't the box--it was just their nature. Wish I had done more research on this earlier. If this 'seeding' works, perhaps I'll put the hybrid hive back in use?!

This is the conversation I found: http://www.beesource.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-270466.html.

underside view of top box; bees not building comb in lower box

These hives, built by Ken in Independence of Western Red Cedar, are garden works of art--they have not warped and look lovely in the yard here in Bend. I added blue vinyl roof covers for a bit of matching color.

All is well.