Checking the hives

hive with inside cover on

inside the hive

A brood frame

 Today was was very warm and no wind.An Ideal chance to take the opportunity  to inspect my bee hives and analyse what will need doing to get them ready for honey production this summer. When I opened all three they were a bit like the three bears .One was too large one was too small and the 3rd one was just right. So some major work needed doing .I had to swap combs around between hives to make the strong and week hives equal.the small hive had 6 frames of brood from the strong hive . (A brood frame is a comb of young bees about to hatch).This brood frame shows clearly how a brood frame is laid out .The sealed chambers with the grubs that will turn into bees are in an

arc in the middle of the frame. This is surrounded by a store of pollen (Protein ) and surrounding this is an arc of honey (carbohydrate)the larger cells that look like small balls at the upper part of the  frame are Drone brood. these are male bees ,who do nothing  at all to contribute to work in the hive.there sole aim in life is to mate with a new queen. They cannot even feed themselves they have to be fed by the female bees

.After checking the bees now they will need feeding, Although the weather is warm and they are bringing in honey from a good supply of

dandelions the severe winter has taken its toll

and food stores are low. They will need a supply of sugar syrup to save them from starving if the weather changes.