I installed a new queen and entourage 5/8 in this unpainted hive in pouring rain and cold. The bees got into my suit and hood but did not sting, maybe they were just happy to get out of the weather. These are unusually docile bees, from a different source.
I left my new frame cleaning tool is inside the hive when I used it to remove the plug from the queen cage. I don't want to disturb the bees just to retrieve it. So, I am back to cleaning old frames with a knife.
Each active hive is next to an empty hive, ready in anticipation of swarming. Last year we captured swarms in hastily assembled "hives", gave some away and some went wild.
The hive on the left is the most active, hive made by Tom Kendhammer. He used thicker wood and it is better construction than commercial hives giving bees more protection.
The picture below is the start of the Vue's wonderful garden, a lot of garlic. The well head is also pictured . I cleaned around the well to divert run off and protect it since it is pristine water and we hope to keep it that way.
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