Top Bar Beekeeping in Arlington Heights

Moved all honey bars together and removed empties that were still there.  I have little reason to think they are going to make any new comb at this point... hopefully they will just fill out any empty cells they have. A bit worried about the pink hive having enough honey.  Hopefully they are frugal this winter.

Also popped in a couple tupperware containers with thick sugar water in each hive.  I see at least a few drowning bees, so not the best thing. In the pink hive I gave them all the remaining honey from inside in a bowl and they polished that off quickly. The bees were not happy late Sunday afternoon.  Cloudy humid day, and just immediately pissed off when I opened up the hive.  One stung my glove. I have to see about feeding them further.  Just want to make sure they have enough to store for winter.

Figured for now that's better than sugar water.  Not 100% sure they need feeding, but can't hurt. I really have to do a good inspection in the next couple weeks to check stores as goldenrod will be going away in the next few weeks.  I see no more comb being built in the blue hive, so they are either storing in areas where brood was originally and backfilling, or I don't know.

33 minutes, again, really easy. Golderod is blooming, but pretty cold today.  Don't know how much they are storing.  May have to start feeding.

Goldenrod is blooming, and I swear it seems the OAV has caused them both to become more active. Big mite drop from the blue hive, very little from pink. Moved another bar of honey from blue to pink.

Took 36 minutes total.  We'll see if there are any mites to count in the next few days.

Pretty cool. The pink hive has eaten through most of the fondant, and it broke off the frame.  But I really don't think they are eating it much vs. trying to get rid of it. The blue hive had quite a few moths under the screened bottom.  There are too many nooks and crannies to hide in around the plastic trays.  I need a single form fit container, not sure how to make it. Tested OAV with the soldering iron and drilled 3/4" holes under the screened bottom in both hives under the brood area to do it.  Not sure when to try. Seems to be little flowering around right now.  Waiting on goldenrod/aster.  No honey comb building in either hive, although the pink hive is forced to build the empties I put in the brood area. I wish I put an observation window in the pink one!