frames stuck in box

[chemlight]

I picked up my first couple of established hives over the weekend. I have never dealt with bees before.

I have a couple of questions:

Should the frames be almost impossible to get out? It looks like they have built up comb betwen the frames. This may be the problem.

Why did they start building between the frames at the top? They do not have an inner lid, could that be it?

How can or should I clean out the hive box to make it more accessible? Today when trying to pull a frame I noticed one end was separating. Should I just leave them alone?

I was instructed to add a medium super on them after I got them home as they were a strong hive. I did this Sunday, today I noticed they were building up comb on the frames in the super. How much progress is normal in 2 days? I could see from 1/8" to 3/16".

Do I need a queen excluder? What bout the inner lid? Anything else? Oh, one more question- what do wear to work the bees in the summer- whew its hot in that garb!!!

I am excited!!!!!  :-D Oh yeah and thanks in advance.

[Kathyp]

the frames are probably not imposable to get out, but they might be pretty difficult.  the bees will glue them down and together with propolis.  if this hive has not been tended in a long time, things might be pretty stuck!

this is the time that bees are building up and building a lot of comb.  if they don't have room to expand, they will swarm and/or build comb all over the place.  some hives are worse than others.  the fact that yours is building in the new box is a good sign.  they need the room and they are making it.

you do not need an excluder or inner cover.  if you post your location in your profile, people from your area will be better able to help you decide what you need. 

depending on the condition of your hive, there are some things you can do to clean it up.
1.  removed frames 1 and 10.  use your hive tool to loosen them from the box and the frames next to them.  set these frames aside.  do not worry if some comb is messed up in the
process.  just be as gentle as you can be. 

2.  beginning with either frame 2 or 9...it does not matter which, gently separate by moving it sideways, from the frame next to it.  if there is comb between the frames, use your hive tool to gently slice through until you can move the frame.  once it is separated from the box and the other frames, lift it up and look at it.  look for eggs, larvae, queen cells, etc.  take pictures if you can for future reference and to post if you have questions about what you see.  replace frame  and continue through hive.  do not worry about cleaning up all the extra bits of wax and stuff.  the goal is to be able to put all frames back and push them closely together.  remove what you must to accomplish that goal. remove the wax on top of the frames and on the hive cover.  you don't want to encourage more building there.

3. if you have an extra frame, remove the one that is broken. if it has brood on it put it in the 9 frame spot.  after the brood is hatched, you will remove it and replace it.  the comb should hold it together until then.  you are moving it to the outside in the hopes that the brood will hatch and the queen will not  lay in it again.  if it has no brood, replace it now.

4.  when you are done, push frame 2-9 together tightly in the center of the box.  replace frames 1 and 10.  push them against the other frames.  if there is a little extra space on the sides, that is ok.  make sure you have done the same with the new box you have added.

hope this is not as clear as mud.  :-)  let us know how it goes.

[johnnybigfish]

 Hi Chemlight!
If its any consolaTION to you, I have to pry my frames apart with a SHOVEL!!

Ok,...Maybe not a shovel.....But I do stick my pocketknife down in the spaces to cut connecting comb as my frames stick together too! When I do get the frames out that i'm working with I will trim some of that comb off.....THATS how I get to try the honey!
But,....I cant just stop there...I'll spend so much time cleaning this crooked comb up that I get to eat lots of honey, right on the spot!! I'll be feeling like Winnie the pooh!!..Licking my knife, chewing wax with honey...Getting sticky hands and fingers...Bees flying around my chin and mouth trying to get honey drippings!!
Ok,...Anyways, dont feel like the lone ranger..I'm right there with ya!!

your friend,
john

[chemlight]

thanks so much for the info cause this newbie is doing it wrong! I evenly spaced all the frames in the super instead of pushing them all to center. I will definately need to pull all of them out and clean everything. Unfortunately I don't have any extra hive frames yet to replace that one. I don't think these have been tanded since they first started, but I don't know for sure.

Johnny I don't think I am up to lifting my vail to eat honey yet, nor taking off my gloves to be able to use my pocket knife. I'm keeping all my skin covered for now. I don't know the bees well enough yet and they don't know me enough to let me. ;)

Some day...... :roll:

[johnnybigfish]

Oops....I forgot about the veil and gloves :-D..You're doing right about wearing your stuff tho...I guess the discovery channel made an impact on me when i saw the natives working their bees in next to nothing. Africanized bees for that matter. I've recently figured out that a little smoke does wonders!...But,....I usually have to take my lunch into the back yard now when fixing to smoke the bees. All the vegetation is green now and it takes me forever to get the darn thing lit!.I have my best luck just tearing up a feed bag and lighting it but it keeps needing refilled with more paper. The smoker works really well......after I'm done doing my thing! :roll:
Another reason I dont use my veil....Its really hot where i live and i sweat like a faucet!(kinda like Kevin Youkilis of the Redsox!) The sweat pours into my glasses, burns my eyes, and then I cant wipe my eyes since the veil is is the way. Now, my wife on the other hand , resembles a "Hazmat" agent!!..Covered from head to toe!!
Dont worry, bees arent like people...They dont discriminate by what  person wears..If they wanna sting ya they're gonna find a way to do it! :shock:Yowwww!!!!
your friend,
john

[Michael Bush]

>Should the frames be almost impossible to get out? It looks like they have built up comb betwen the frames. This may be the problem.

They are always glued in with propolis.  They should not be attached by comb to each other.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#messedupcomb

>Why did they start building between the frames at the top? They do not have an inner lid, could that be it?

Between the lid and the top?  They often do this no matter what you do, but proper beespace (between 1/4" and 3/8") will help.

>How can or should I clean out the hive box to make it more accessible? Today when trying to pull a frame I noticed one end was separating. Should I just leave them alone?

One end of what was separating? Were you prying on the end of the frame against the rabbet?

>I was instructed to add a medium super on them after I got them home as they were a strong hive. I did this Sunday, today I noticed they were building up comb on the frames in the super. How much progress is normal in 2 days? I could see from 1/8" to 3/16".

Anything is "normal".  In a heavy flow they can draw a LOT of comb.  In a dearth they can't draw ANY comb.  Most of the time it's somewhere between.

>Do I need a queen excluder?

No.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#excluders

> What bout the inner lid?

If you have a telescopic cover, yes.

> Anything else?

That you need?

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnewbees.htm#equipment

> Oh, one more question- what do wear to work the bees in the summer- whew its hot in that garb!!!

Buy a "Golden Bee Products" suit or buy Magnet-man's suit (see beesource).  They are ventilated.  You can wear just shorts under them and stay very cool.

>But,....I usually have to take my lunch into the back yard now when fixing to smoke the bees. All the vegetation is green now and it takes me forever to get the darn thing lit!

Buy a self igniting propane torch.

>I have my best luck just tearing up a feed bag and lighting it but it keeps needing refilled with more paper.

Burlap.