Moment of Truth

We see whether the G Bees have decided to stay and we find out whether P is allergic to bee stings

It's a whole week since we left Queen G and the G Bees plus hitch hikers with an extra super to give them more space and something to do, i.e. drawing wax in the new super.

Our fears that they might have decided to  move on due to lack of space or inadequate beekeeping appear groundless as, when we rush to the apiary, we see the two hives and bees calmly going about their business.  It appears that the hitch hikers have been accepted into Colony Two boosting the number of foragers.    What a change from last week's bee mania.

ooOOoo

When I was inspecting the G Bees prior to moving them last week, one frame in the brood chamber fell apart.  We replaced it for travelling with a smaller frame of brood from the half bit of the brood and a half.   This week's tasks therefore include putting a new, proper size brood frame in to the brood box.   I had to go to the Bee Shop to buy the bits and make up the frame and insert the wax foundation myself using small pins and a tack hammer.  (I suspect I will get lots of practice at this.)

So, late afternoon when the wind has dropped a bit but it's still about 22c, P and I suit up.  Naturally, our bee suits have been laundered since last week as you can't approach the bees looking like grubby garage mechanics.  We plan what we're about to do in advance (while watching Lewis Hamilton practise for a Grand Prix) and take everything we think we need over to the apiary: new frame for the G Bees' brood box, hive tools, steriliser for cleaning hive tools between hives, tub for brace comb or wax that we have to chip off, loppers to take down some fennel stalks to create more room around the hives, smoker and official photographer (this week it's Dad).

And we open the G Bees first, placing the roof to one side.   OMG!

They have drawn out the new super we put on last week ("NSWPOLW") and filled it with honey!   There are loads of bees throughout the NSWPOLW.   This was not in the plan.  We take that off and the second super, the one that used to be a brood chamber ("STUTBABC").   Sealed brood will still be hatching but it's heavy with stores too.

  NSWPOLW

P gets stung and "it bloody hurts"

 

The brood chamber is alive with bees.  We chicken out.  We planned to inspect each frame but we are daunted by the thousands of bees before us.   By now they are whizzing around and a bit agitated, although still tolerably benign.  We insert the new brood frame of foundation and this is when P gets stung on the elbow.  We have been wondering whether he is allergic to bee stings or not..... Now we will find out!  

Meanwhile, we realise we haven't brought along another super so I run to get yet another super from the barn ( "YAS").    The G Bees need space.  They have evidently found a nectar source and with the extra hitch hiker foragers they are rapidly building their stores for the winter.  Colony Two now have a standard brood box, STUTBABC, NSWPOLW and YAS. 

YAS

We haven't seen  Queen G, queen cells, signs of disease or any of the other things we were supposed to look for but we move on to Colony One.   Exhausted.

ooOOoo

Colony One

Colony One is noticeably quieter but they have also been busy this week and the brood has spread on to 4 frames with stores nicely round the edges and they have drawn out wax on all but two frames.  We don't see Queen B during the inspection but all the indications are that she's there somewhere so we close the hive and leave the bees in peace.

 

Now, is P allergic to bee stings?   Evidently not.  When I tried to take a photo of the sting for this blog entry it was too late and it had all gone........