Not so super

The beginning of my summer holidays was busy, which wouldn't have been a problem if the hives had been inspected regularly and were up and running. As it was, they each need at least an hour's worth of attention, just so I can get back into the feel of them. Unfortunately, I didn't have this time, but I did guess that after over a month the bees would need more space.

A super and 20 frames ready to go

So I quickly hammered together enough frames for two supers (took me two hours for 20 frames). Decided to dispense with Hoffmann self-spacers for the super and just leave them hanging freely. Shouldn't make much of a difference in a super.

With the frames and an empty super I quickly drove to the school. Because no-one was in school and I'd left the keys there (classic), I had to organize the keys first. Another problem of school beekeeping: access during the holidays. Luckily we almost always have someone on site.
No-one had checked on the bees for so long that the shed door and padlock were completely covered in spider webs.

The actual site of the hives didn't look much different and slightly neglected: long grass everywhere and no clear path to the hives. I think the groundsmen no longer mow around the hives because they apparently get stung the whole time when they do. Surely not! The bees are always ever so kind with me...

A slightly overgrown apiary

Both hives showed signs of good activity with many bees flying in and out with pollen clearly visible. The Moon seemed quite full, but not desperate for new space. Perhaps they've just swarmed again recently.

Just to be on the safe side, I supered up again, putting the new super above the honey I wanted to take off in May in some futile hope the bees passing through might warm it and make it more easily harvestable.

The Star showed more signs of space issues. The Star bees have obviously become real busy bees and have been foraging ferociously. With no new supers to store their honey, they had started building comb in the small space between crown board and roof. Now the bees, already confused last year as to where their hive ends, will never get that everything above the crown board is not-hive. Here it was high time for a new super, so I hope the bees are a lot happier now with an extra super. Both Moon and Star now have three supers on them and I hope that'll be enough for this year as I have no more readily available (would have to order).

'Wild' comb above the crown board in the Star

I also noticed the Star has a distinct lean towards the left. The weather must have led to a shift in the ground and thus the bricks on which the hives are standing slipping slightly. Anyway, the Star is now rivalling Pisa. Because I didn't want the honey frames drawn out on the wonk, I hung them in the opposite direction to all the other super frames. Hopefully that won't confuse the bees too much.

The leaning Star

As soon as I'm back from my Spain holiday, I will have to do a decent inspection of both hives.