We noticed the sugar water we were feeding was starting to get a little moldy after 2 weeks. The weather for the weekend is supposed to be rainy, windy, and cool so I decided to change it out and inspect both hives today.
Hive Bob
I was really pleased with Bob. Comb was built out to nearly 40% overall. Frames 5 – 8 were very active. Frame 8 had a solid 1″ row of capped honey across the top with some random pollen. The other built out frames seem to have a good pattern of honey in the top corners and pollen across the top middle. Capped brood and larvae are spread underneath.
Here is a full sized photo of a 2 week old, new foundation, new package, new hive built out frame. Bob’s bees seem to be perfectly building honey stores in the top corners, followed by pollen in the center, and Roberta is laying. The little white “worms” you see in the uncapped cells are larvae.
I found the queen on frame 6 again. I assume it’s just a coincidence since there is brood on other frames. Here’s a close-up of her, now named Roberta.
Hive #2
Frau Imkerin’s hive also looked healthy. Lots of brood, larvae, honey, and pollen. I inspected the hive and dumped and refreshed the sugar water in the feeder.
I found the first comb build between frames 6 and 7. Good honey and pollen patterns were in frames 6 through 3. The queen was on frame 3.
