Hmmm

Inspection Day

Hive#1 - MrB's ex swarm from 03.05.14. Was very disappointed at progress. Found the queen where I would least have expected her and she seemed to be simply wandering around somewhat in a daydream. As noted back in May it could be she swarmed then as the other bees evicted her due to poor performance. Will call MrB later for advice.

Hive#2 - This was a very active hive where I put in new queen #3 from Ottobeuren Abbey last week. Could not find her and in my frustration everything else I did got mixed up. Somehow think I saw a queen here but not #3!

Hive#3 - Think this was in good shape but one frame worried me and will consult with MrB by telephone later. Didn't find queen.

Hive#4 - Should contain Queen#5 but not found. Frustration just kept in check by a good looking hive.

Summary - looks like my two expensive queens have disappeared, died, been kicked out or MrB has been over at night........

Not a happy teddy even if the bees seemed very peaceful today. I probably could have worked without a veil. I didn't wear gloves as I find it difficult to manipulate the frames with my ten thumbs - was at no time threatened. Had rubbed in some baby powder beforehand, a tip I read in my Dummies book.

The Blip shows Hive#1 queen. Most will ask why there is such difficulty in finding the queen. Try it with a sensible queen on a full brood frame covered by a few thousand worker bees mixed in with a hundred drones which are also larger, if not quite so long. Only noticed after posting that a fly took the chance of being on Blip. At least it gives a better idea of size!