Hi
Today I attempted to inspect my hive in the afternoon. I used my hive tool to pry open the top feeder. However, When I lifted the top feeder 2 frames were stuck to it. It apears the bees have glued the frames to the feeder using propolis or bur comb. Hence when I lifted the feeder I discovered the problem and attempted to gently lower it back to it's position. However, Thousands of disturbed and angree bees started to poor out and in the process I crushed about 15 bees. I was not stung but they headbutt me about a zillion time. I aborted the inspection. Tommorow I will suit up and will try to open it again by using the hive tool to ensure no frames are stuck to the bottom of the top feeder. Prior inspections were smooth and most of the bees stayed on the frame and behaved as long as I lifted the frames slowly to inspect them. My question is this normal for the bees to gleu shot the top feeder to the frames in just 7 days? Is this unique or a normal?
Thank you
-Rodni
It depends on how far the Top Feeder is off the frames. If it's too low and violates bee space, they will propolize the heck out of it. If it's too high, they'll bur comb. One thing you may want to try is to run some frame wire between the super and the feeder, this cuts all the gunk away and makes for a nice clean "lift off"! I do that with some of my shims that the bees love building bur comb in, and it makes it a whole lot easier and less messy... which makes me and the bees a lot happier!
-Nathanael 8-)
I have had this happen with my hive top feeders as well. The bees will start to build comb off the top of a frame onto the bottom of the feeder. It's almost always one of the center frames they do it from.
LOL caught me WAY off guard the first time I pulled off the feeder and found a frame attached to it.
Now I kinda just gently pull and do a little twist on it as I'm taking it off. Had to scrap comb off the bottom of one of my feeders today too.
>My question is this normal for the bees to gleu shot the top feeder to the frames in just 7 days?
Yes.
Like JoelinGA said I twist before I lift it off and that works fine. I learned this when I lifted a super off one time and three frames came with it until I pushed them off and back down into the brood box. They were furious and I was afraid I had killed the queen. Luck, she lived and I learned on this forum about the twist and lift method.
Quote from: qa33010 on June 07, 2008, 11:12:14 PM
Like JoelinGA said I twist before I lift it off and that works fine. I learned this when I lifted a super off one time and three frames came with it until I pushed them off and back down into the brood box. They were furious and I was afraid I had killed the queen. Luck, she lived and I learned on this forum about the twist and lift method.
After you've worked bees for awhile it becomes 2nd nature to twist each box as you begin to remove it. I found myself doing it out of habit while tearing down 3 dead hives today. Too much rain, not enough sun, and it's starvation time.
The burr comb discussion brings up a question I have been thinking about. When I scrape off burr comb, should I save it? I keep the crushed combs from my harvesting and plan to render it later. It seems that over the course of a season, I might gather up quite a bit of burr comb that I could add to the rendering. What do you all do in this regard?
I found burr comb in the center of my hive top feeder at about the 7 day mark too. Michael Bush said to let bees do what bees do. I went back out today, same burr comb in the center. Bees happy, not causing any trouble. Added second hive body and then feeder on top. It has been cool and rainy here in Maine for days. Finally a warm, sunny day. Bees are busy, pollen on legs, no mites noted on boards. I hope that the girls will be able to get enough honey to over winter.
I save all my wax and at the end of the year take it in to dadant for in store credit. metzelplex