Since this post started, i lost one hive. They swarmed and it was totally my fault. Lesson learned. Checked my bees before cutting hay all day, spent round after round pouting... Then the next morning a neighbor FB posted a picture of a swarm on her fence. Luckily i was able to get a hold of her early and darted over there and vacuumed them up and had them in a box in less than 30 min. Spent my day cutting hay going round and round with a smile....i had 4 hives again, maybe
Checked my hives yesterday... 3 hives have baby bees chewing out of their capped beds. I was totally excited to see this first hand. My trashcan bees queen is a egg laying fool. 2 large frames end to end with either eggs or capped brood. They are still mean, but i can deal with that.
New swarm, been sitting at the edge of the yard, vacuum still laying next to it. Opened it up yesterday, first frame i pulled, full of eggs. I let out a sigh of relief. Finally, maybe i'm figuring this out.
Beekeeper bees, full of brood and honey, they know how to make honey.
Forest bees, full of brood and they are making some honey...
So, Friday, i was down to 3 hives, a week later, back up to 4.....
Been getting a few ideas on making custom hives. I saw a picture of a indoor glass front hive. That got me to thinking. What if i had a hive that was inside, and the supers were made in such a way that you could drain honey from it without opening it. I know there is a person who has a outdoor hive with a system i dont think will work consistently..So my brain has been in overdrive working up a plan that will be consistent and you dont even have to go outside...just have a honey spigot in your house..