More newbee questions

[SingingBees]

Hello, everyone!  I am still a newbee, and still clueless.  Haven't been on in a while, started too many projects and got overwhelmed.

I checked on my bees Tuesday (have one hive), and since I don't know what I'm looking at, I don't know whether to be concerned or not.

They have put up some honey, and I did see at least a few larvae.  I also saw what looked like a couple of swarm cells (?) on the bottom of one or two frames (one I didn't get a good look at).  They had only worked in about 4 or 5 frames, so I don't think they're overcrowded, but I did move an empty frame between two that were mostly full.

I'll admit that because I was nervous and moving slowly, I didn't get to all of the frames, so I don't know if any frames were full of brood.

I guess my question is:  Is it normal to have what I assume are swarm cells (pointed, built from bottom of comb?), sort of on standby?  I think I'd gotten that impression from other posts here, but sometimes I read so much that I start to jumble the information.  I see words like split, and go into a panic - ack!  More to read!  LOL

I'd like to go back in, maybe even today, and it would be nice to know what I'm looking for.  I'm also a bit panicky about decisions on adding another box.  I have old frames, but I doubt I have any foundation that size.  So I'm debating on whether I should order foundation (running out of time!), or figure out some of the other methods I've been reading about here.

In other words, I'm in a newbee panic.  All this, because I just had to go and look inside that box of bees!   :shock:

I do have some pictures that I managed to snap (wasn't looking, just wielding the camera), and I posted a couple on my blog, but I'm not sure how to go about asking permission to post a link.

Hey, wait...there is a photo option on my screen now.  Does that mean I'm allowed to post links to photos I have online?

Thanks in advance for any advice.  I'll go breathe into my paper bag, now.  ;)

[Moonshae]

If the outside of the cell looks like a peanut shell, it's definitely a queen cell. Is it capped? Sometimes bees build these and tear them down. Look inside and see if there is an egg or larva in there, if it's not capped. If it is a queen cell, it could just as likely be a supercedure cell.

it's possible you're seeing drone comb, the caps look like bullets because they stick out a bit farther, and are quite domed.

Post some pics or links to some pics.

[indypartridge]

They have put up some honey, and I did see at least a few larvae.

Larvae means your queen has been laying within the last 4 days.

I also saw what looked like a couple of swarm cells (?) on the bottom of one or two frames (one I didn't get a good look at).  They had only worked in about 4 or 5 frames, so I don't think they're overcrowded, but I did move an empty frame between two that were mostly full.

That should "encourage" them to draw out the empty frame.

I'll admit that because I was nervous and moving slowly

Slow movements are better than quick, jerky movements.

I guess my question is:  Is it normal to have what I assume are swarm cells (pointed, built from bottom of comb?), sort of on standby? 

Sometimes. New colonies tend not to swarm (never say never), but it's not unusual for a supercedure to take place.

I'm also a bit panicky about decisions on adding another box.

Don't add the second box until the bees have drawn out the comb on about 8 frames (assuming you have 10 frame boxes).

I have old frames, but I doubt I have any foundation that size.  So I'm debating on whether I should order foundation (running out of time!), or figure out some of the other methods I've been reading about here.

If you think you'll need something, order before you need it.

In other words, I'm in a newbee panic.  All this, because I just had to go and look inside that box of bees!

Take it easy. This is supposed to be FUN!

[poka-bee]

All this, because I just had to go and look inside that box of bees!   :shock:

[/quote]

Ahhh, like Pandoras box!!  BUT then you wouldn't be getting all this information & answers to things you didn't know you needed to know before you need to know it! :-D  Have fun with your bees!  I'm having a blast even though I almost killed em off!    Jody

[SingingBees]

 :-D  Yes, just like Pandora's box!

Breathing has returned to normal, ha ha.  Thanks for all of the responses!

I've been studying the pictures, and maybe I'm making something out of nothing.

I'm sending the request to have a couple of them posted.

I don't know if there is anything in these cells.  They are built at the bottom of the frame, and I didn't think/know to look into the bottom of it.  Hopefully, I can get out there again this afternoon.

I believe both photos are from the same frame, opposite sides.  There's also a mess of comb on one side, I think it was started when I had too much of a gap there, because of the queen cage.




and

[Brian D. Bray]

:-D  Yes, just like Pandora's box!

Breathing has returned to normal, ha ha.  Thanks for all of the responses!

I've been studying the pictures, and maybe I'm making something out of nothing.

I'm sending the request to have a couple of them posted.

I don't know if there is anything in these cells.  They are built at the bottom of the frame, and I didn't think/know to look into the bottom of it.  Hopefully, I can get out there again this afternoon.

I believe both photos are from the same frame, opposite sides.  There's also a mess of comb on one side, I think it was started when I had too much of a gap there, because of the queen cage.




and

Top picture isn't to bad, that is a piece of burr comb hanging off the lower portion of the frame, not a queen cell or cup.

2nd picture shows some bridge comb (comb spanning between frames) that indicates the frames weren't spaced properly.  Proper spacing is to push the frames as close together as possible with 1/2 gaps on each side of the outer frames.  The space between the out frames and the wall of the hive is to be used to manipulate the frames during inspection.  You seperate the frames using your hive tool and slide the frames over against the wall or next frame as you inspect each frame.  When finished you push the frames back together, as close as possible leaving the 1/2 inch on each side of the outer frames again.  This practice should do away with bridge comb.

To correct the problem you need to cut the bridge comb off the frames with your hive tool.

Good Luck.

[Ross]

Unfortunately, there is no brood on the combs pictured.  You need to confirm that you have brood.

[SingingBees]

Top picture isn't to bad, that is a piece of burr comb hanging off the lower portion of the frame, not a queen cell or cup.

That's a relief!  Thank you.

2nd picture shows some bridge comb (comb spanning between frames) that indicates the frames weren't spaced properly.  Proper spacing is to push the frames as close together as possible with 1/2 gaps on each side of the outer frames.  The space between the out frames and the wall of the hive is to be used to manipulate the frames during inspection.  You seperate the frames using your hive tool and slide the frames over against the wall or next frame as you inspect each frame.  When finished you push the frames back together, as close as possible leaving the 1/2 inch on each side of the outer frames again.  This practice should do away with bridge comb.


To correct the problem you need to cut the bridge comb off the frames with your hive tool.

Good Luck.

Got it.  This was a result of my being wimpy, I'm pretty sure it's the same comb I saw they'd started when I removed the queen cage.  I didn't want to mess with anything then, so now I get to deal with that mistake!  I'll check the spacing when I go back in.  Thank you.

Unfortunately, there is no brood on the combs pictured.  You need to confirm that you have brood.

Okay, thanks!  I do know that I saw a few larvae, but I was having trouble maneuvering for various reasons that day, will have to look again more closely.  I didn't make it out yesterday, and now it feels like weather may be coming.  I don't know if that makes the girls grumpy (I know it affects me!   :roll: )