First Hive Inspection!

We opened both hives for the first time today. 23 days after hiving them. We started at 5pm. Some weather was supposed to be moving in but it was actually closer than I had thought. Wind was fairly calm. Smoker was working well for the first time.

We took a look in the hive with foundation first. There were a few bees that seemed to be a little aggressive. Maybe it was my nervousness or that of my husband's. Or it could have been the weather moving in? Seven frames were completely drawn out. I didn't pull out every frame. The first 3 had nothing. The 4th one had uncapped honey. The next one had uncapped brood and the next one had some drone brood. We took the frame of uncapped honey and put it in the middle of a new deep and put it on. Also decided to open the entrance reducer a little. Had my first sting from this hive today.

The second hive is the one that has no foundation. It was about halfway drawn out. This hive also had a third to a half of syrup water left in one bucket. The other hive had none, pretty much. I pulled one frame to inspect then put it back. I decided not to mess with them too much. I There was no cross comb that I could see. Looks like the hive is about 50% drawn out. These bees seemed to be more docile. Will plan on giving them another week or so and then maybe adding another deep.

First Hive Inspection

 

 

 

 

Took the outer cover off the hives for the first time today. Wanted to check to make sure they had plenty of food. Didn't touch the inner cover. Both hives had taken 1/3 to 1/2 of the first gallon that had fumigilin-B. I took the 2 cans from the packages out and put another gallon each on. This had Honey B Healthy in it. They were very calm. didn't act like they were concerned about me being there at all. Couldn't see into the box through the hole in the inner cover. All I could see was a frame and bees.

I did take the cork out of the boxes for the feed. The side cork... the accident ;) It has been rather warm and I wanted to make sure they had enough ventilation. Probably in the 80's today.

Our bees arrived!! These are our first bees. Two 3# packages from Lapps. Italians. Just got here today from California. They were either packaged on the evening of the 7th or morning of the 8th.

The hive on the right has the foundation cut out of it. The hive on the left has Pierco plastic foundation and frame.
Both packages had a lot of syrup left in the cans.

There was a small cluster on the front of the hive on the left, and a small cluster in the box on the right. I wonder if they will make it. Sky is clear. It was 60ish when we packaged them. About 6:00pm just a few minutes after I got home with them.

One gallon of 1:1 with Fumagiliin B on top. And a pollen patty.

Good night girls!