Lessons to learn

Having supered up about a week ago, I thought I'd take a quick peek today to see how the supers were filling up.
Now, in the past when I went into the supers to top up the rapid feeders, I did not wear any protective equipment and didn't have to, as the bees are lovely and calm. So, even though it was spitting a bit and the weather was slightly clammy, I thought that today I wouldn't kit up, especially as all I was going to do was open up and then close again.

Super activity in the Star hive

I started with the Star hive. Roof came off ok, but the crown board with a loud snap that sent the bees scattering. However, when I did nothing more, but remained motionless, they calmed somewhat and I had a quick peek into the super. They haven;t really started to draw the comb out there and the whole super looked rather empty.

So far, so good.

When opening the Moon hive, I decided to more careful when removing the crown board. I could hear the buzz from inside the hive and knew there were lots of bees inside.

Activity in the Moon super

Still wearing nothing but normal clothes I then made my second mistake. Very carefully, I lifted the crownboard away from the super. However, the first part I lifted away, was on the side facing me and I immediately had a few bees shooting out in a straight line for me. With that uncanny instinct that they have, one went for my bare hand and I had a sting in my left thumb. Realising the Moon crew was not happy, I suited up, but left out the gloves (you can tell where this is going, can't you?). I then took off the rest of the crown board, in the course of which I was stung again, this time in my right thumb.

As soon as the crown board was off, I had no more trouble.

The super was brimming with activity: the bees are busy drawing out comb and storing honey there. They definitely needed the super.

The Super work face in Moon

Weather has now turned bad all of a sudden and it's tipping down, so no wonder the bees were slightly on edge.