Stella's Social Club

[Happy Chooks]

My split is done. I hope I did it right. This was before I started, but after I pulled off the honey super. The plastic frames are from my original nuc that I lost it's first winter.

I got the entrance reducer on the new hive. Added 4 frames of bees/brood and made sure I had fresh eggs on a frame and moved them to the new hive. Surprisingly, there wasn't much stores in the hive. (lots of brood though) They must be using it all to increase the population. They have honey in the super that they can use, if needed.

I was not able to spot the queen, so I'm not positive which hive she is in. Both hives have eggs, so it shouldn't matter. I think she is in the main hive, because when I was working, all of a sudden the bees from the outer frame starting pouring into the hive on the side of the wall. There was still plenty of room, so I probably didn't need to split this hive yet, but oh well. As far as I could see, all queen cups were empty. (but it's really hard to see eggs through the veil, especially on a cloudy day here)

I added empty frames to the hive, put the super back on, and closed it up. I got the frames arranged in the new hive, and put the inner cover on, then the feeder in a super box, then the outer cover and closed it up. Now I guess I need to stay out of it for 4 weeks, so they can raise their queen and have her take her mating flight.

This was after I pulled the frames.

Fingers crossed for a successful split!
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[Happy Chooks]

Crap, I just went out to sit by the hive and watch them. I saw that a bee was caught in a spider web, so stupid me went to free her. Put her on the landing board and someone nailed me on the eyelid. I had to get my husband to get the stinger out because I couldn't see which direction it was in. Hurts like heck! I do not advise getting stung in the eyelid!

I guess they are not happy with me for messing with their hive.

 

[mlm Mike]

Crap, I just went out to sit by the hive and watch them. I saw that a bee was caught in a spider web, so stupid me went to free her. Put her on the landing board and someone nailed me on the eyelid. I had to get my husband to get the stinger out because I couldn't see which direction it was in. Hurts like heck! I do not advise getting stung in the eyelid!

I guess they are not happy with me for messing with their hive.

Ouch! I hope the split goes well.

 

[1muttsfan]

Ow. Ungrateful little beast.

 

[drumstick diva]

X2 Really UNGRATEFUL this is where the Monthy Python foot would have stomped it. No bees for me please. I'll buy honey in a jar.

 

[The Sheriff]

Crap, I just went out to sit by the hive and watch them. I saw that a bee was caught in a spider web, so stupid me went to free her. Put her on the landing board and someone nailed me on the eyelid.  I had to get my husband to get the stinger out because I couldn't see which direction it was in.  Hurts like heck!  I do not advise getting stung in the eyelid!

I guess they are not happy with me for messing with their hive. :/  

Yikes! I knew they were mean.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Yikes! I knew they were mean.

No, it was really my fault. Had I just freed the one bee and set the stick down on the ground, it would have been fine. But I tried to put her back in the hive instead. Dumb call on my part. Plus, they were already irritated from me splitting the hive earlier today. They were just defending their space.

My eye is really swollen now. I took a Benedryl, but I'm betting by tomorrow it will be real pretty.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Before I did my split this morning, I got this picture of one of my bees. I love the glow of the morning sun on her.

 

[drumstick diva]

Oh sure Kelly now you are friends with them again. It like having a bad boyfriend, you defend them and say it was all your fault but, who ends up with the black eye?

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Before I did my split this morning, I got this picture of one of my bees. I love the glow of the morning sun on her.

Great shot, I love it!

We really really hate those plastic frames. The bees hate them too and build brace come right up to the top and bottom of the surrounding boxes, and glue them down like they were nailed. We really like the plastic inserts that snap into the wooden frames, though. I just give them an extra coat of wax before we use them and they work great.

Oh sure Kelly now you are friends with them again. It like having a bad boyfriend, you defend them and say it was all your fault but, who ends up with the black eye?