Beemused: A Blog

It was no surprise that Susan, our one hive that survived the winter, is still the strongest hive.  Two full brood boxes, and making progress on the super.  The rainy weather has certainly slowed things down - this was the first time in weeks that I was able to inspect the hives.  I wasn’t able to use the smoker because the matches wouldn’t light!  I think I need a lighter for the smoker.

Emma is doing very well, and will need a super before long.  She still has a few frames in the upper brood chamber that need to be completed with comb, etc. but she has ample bees for the job.  The brood pattern looks good, a halo of honey stores around an oval pattern of brood.  On the black plastic foundation it is easy to spot the larvae (it’s still hard to see the eggs, I think it is my aging eyesight to blame).

Victoria, though, is still struggling.  The upper brood chamber is still hardly used, although 2 frames with some brood indicate the queen has been up there.  The lower chamber looks better, but the brood pattern is still much sketchier than in Emma or Susan.  If it weren’t threatening to thunderstorm (and I hear rumbling already), I’d have taken some brood from Susan to donate to Victoria.  I don’t like to interfere that extensively in a hurry, and especially not without smoke.  Perhaps next weekend will offer a better opportunity for meddling in the affairs of bees!

–Justin

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