My depressing tale of dropped frames

[reinbeau]

We didn't have such a good year.  The three hives up in Maine got started late, we didn't get them set up until mid-May (they weren't what they were represented to us, either, but that's another rant). 

We pulled the honey supers off the two we actually supered only to find that there were just five full frames of honey.  Oh well, first year, plus late start = little honey, we're lucky we got any, right?  So the five frames were in an extra super we had up there.  Not thinking anything of it (well, actually, not thinking  :roll:) I picked up the super to put it into a plastic bag for transport.  Know what you shouldn't do with a super holding only five frames?  Not shift it at all.  That's right, all five fell out - onto my foot  :'(

One broke loose completely and immediately began dripping honey, I picked it up, stuck it all back into a gooey mess and put it in the plastic bag.  The other four all had cells broken open, and all but one had broken loose on at least the top or the bottom, but they're all still within their frames.  I got the whole mess into the bag and brought them home.

So, these were wired foundation frames.  I guess I'm going to have to carefully crush and strain them (saving the wax for candles, at least it isn't a total loss).  What a messy business C&S is, I'm going to try Linda's pan method tomorrow on the four frames I've got left. 

Sometimes you can just kick yourself..... :roll:

[JP]

Ann, at least it wasn't a total lost, but that is a shame that happened, good luck with the C&S, JP.

[Michael Bush]

See, if you had been using foundationless frames you could have blamed it on that instead of feeling foolish.  :)

[reinbeau]

Someday, Michael, I need a few more season's experience under my belt.  Moving in that direction, though...

[Cindi]

Ann, I hear your plight.  What a bummer!!!!!  What a mess!!!!  I feel for ya.

I learned that exact same lesson the hard way too, but my way was not as hard as your way.  I have lifted a super once that had only had 5 frames in it (thank my lucky stars that they were foundation frames only, no honey or bees in them).  They fell out of the box, just like what happened to you.  Rats........now Ann, you have learned a lesson, you will learn by this lesson, and you won't repeat this again, it is a toughy, but it is all in that learning curve.  Yep, do the crush and strain, good luck, best of this beautiful and great day.  Cindi

[tig]

sorry to hear that reinbeau.  maybe next time try using a 4 or 5 frame nuc box.  even if you put only 2 or 3 frames in it and they fall, it will fall to the bottom which will catch it.  some of the honey may jar out of some cells but it won't make nowhere near a mess as it falling to the ground.