No inner cover caused me a problem

saltybluegrass · September 10, 2021, 01:16:33 PM

https://youtube.com/shorts/dCgw4aj7BzA?feature=share

Ben Framed · September 10, 2021, 01:28:27 PM

Nice to see you back Salty.. Where in the world have you been lol?

saltybluegrass · September 10, 2021, 01:30:49 PM

Trying to work through some depression
It felt good to open the hive again
Was 100 degrees but the shade made it kinda cool to scrape the top clean
Today I tried to go surfing in small waves it ended with EMS called to give me oxygen!! Lol

The15thMember · September 10, 2021, 03:20:14 PM

SALTY!!!

We've missed you! I was worried something had happened to you!

Boy, the girls filled that up, didn't they! A lot of work to clean up, but at least you get that delicious honey out of it. Mmmm. . . .

I've got a frame of sourwood on the counter right now that everyone has just been chunking pieces off of whenever the mood strikes them. Fresh out of the comb is my favorite way to eat honey.

saltybluegrass · September 10, 2021, 05:42:35 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome home!!

Ben Framed · September 10, 2021, 05:57:12 PM

Quote
Ben Framed
Nice to see you back Salty.. Where in the world have you been lol?

Quote
The15thMember
SALTY!!! We've missed you! I was worried something had happened to you!

Quote

saltybluegrass
Today I tried to go surfing in small waves it ended with EMS called to give me oxygen!! Lol

Salty you have made my day! Love the hunor! Welcome home!

Oldbeavo · September 10, 2021, 07:43:13 PM

That is not a problem to us, we are happy to see bees doing so well.
It is good insurance to take into winter as extra stores. If they need more room then put the new super under the full one. Just smaoke the bees down and shake the bees out of the lid before putting it back
We would love to take all our hives into late Autumn/ Winter with a lid full of honey.

Acebird · September 11, 2021, 07:49:20 AM

How does that hive box work? I don't see how you would put frames in the top. Or was there an empty box missing? You can leave an empty box at the bottom but not the top.

saltybluegrass · September 11, 2021, 10:43:16 AM

It?s a 2 deep hive. The top and sides are insulated like a cooler. There?s an inner cover that should have sat on top of the frames where that honeycomb is. You can bet the cover is on there now.
The bees were shuffling off the comb as I scraped it. Didn?t kill a one.

My next question is do you all lose a few bees when extracting or do you clean the frames of ALL the girls?
I always end up losing a few

The15thMember · September 11, 2021, 12:03:21 PM

Quote from: saltybluegrass on September 11, 2021, 10:43:16 AM
It?s a 2 deep hive. The top and sides are insulated like a cooler. There?s an inner cover that should have sat on top of the frames where that honeycomb is. You can bet the cover is on there now.
The bees were shuffling off the comb as I scraped it. Didn?t kill a one.

My next question is do you all lose a few bees when extracting or do you clean the frames of ALL the girls?
I always end up losing a few

When I do a planned honey harvest, it's pretty simple to remove all the bees from the frames. I use a triangle escape board to clear the super of most of the workers, and then a bee brush to brush off the stragglers. Occasionally, I'll get a bee or two in the house that I missed, and of course I sometimes crush a few accidentally, but the frames are usually 100% bee free to begin the extraction process.

Dealing with honey-filled rogue comb like this is another matter though. I've dealt with it a few times (although not quite as bad as your hive, Salty!) and it's much harder not to kill bees as you are trying to clean up the mess. Good job looking out for your girls!

Oldbeavo · September 11, 2021, 06:50:20 PM

We would under super the full box, put a bees escape between the full and the new box. There is a QX on the bottom box
Take the full box home to extract and treat the burr comb on top the same as cappings.
The lid just goes back on the new box as is, no cleaning, bees will sort it out.

Michael Bush · September 12, 2021, 10:29:40 PM

You left space over the top. I use no inner covers and never have these issues...

Acebird · September 13, 2021, 08:24:39 AM

Quote from: The15thMember on September 11, 2021, 12:03:21 PM
Occasionally, I'll get a bee or two in the house that I missed,

I use to freeze the frames prior to extracting to insure no eggs were alive. Stragglers die too.

The15thMember · September 13, 2021, 02:06:25 PM

Quote from: Acebird on September 13, 2021, 08:24:39 AM
Quote from: The15thMember on September 11, 2021, 12:03:21 PM
Occasionally, I'll get a bee or two in the house that I missed,
I use to freeze the frames prior to extracting to insure no eggs were alive. Stragglers die too.

I freeze if I'm not planning on extracting within 24 hours. If I plan to take the frames in the house and get right to work, then I don't freeze. And I'd always be sure there were no stragglers before I put them in the freezer.

Acebird · September 13, 2021, 02:37:21 PM

Quote from: The15thMember on September 13, 2021, 02:06:25 PM
And I'd always be sure there were no stragglers before I put them in the freezer.

There were put in by the box so I would have to remove frames to get rid of stragglers.

Bob Wilson · September 13, 2021, 09:44:29 PM

I also use migratory tops, so I haven't experienced this problem.
But I have to admit, that big, fat honey honeycomb sure looks delicious. You are right, Salty. It will be a nice reward after cleaning up that mess of cross comb.
Good to see you again. I have laughed and enjoyed your past bee exploits.