The newest split (the blue hive) has become my most populated colony and the hive all the way on the right (which was the busiest hive last fall and all through the winter) now has the smallest population.
I'm not strong enough to be able to move a 10-frame deep box (typically, the upper brood box) full of honey without first removing some of the frames to lighten the load. (These boxes can weigh 80-90 lbs.) I purchased a Hive Butler to help hold frames while I complete an inspection. I love this Made in the USAHive Butler.
Zee staying cool in the shade.
Theoretically, we don't want the queen laying eggs in the honey super. Well, here's a frame from my super that is full of brood. That's fine with me. As a beginner, with a hive that has swarmed, I'm thrilled that I have a new queen laying eggs.
It may be hard to see but there are eggs and larvae in here. Here is a healthy frame full of young brood.
Honey Harvest 2020: I used an uncapping roller rather than a (heated) knife to unseal the honey. This method worked well and there was very little comb that was wasted or destroyed. Once the honey was extracted from each frame, I returned the wet frames to the colonies where the bees ready the comb to be reused and filled with nectar (again).
A five gallon bucket of honey. Too heavy to lift!
Liquid gold. The extractor worked perfectly and I was able to harvest more honey than I had hoped, considering the bees swarmed at least five times this year during prime wax and honey-building season.
Honey Harvest 2020. Such wonderful honey! Thank you mom and dad for helping with extraction and bottling.
