Just twelve days ago we placed the eight frame honey supers on top of the second brood boxes and left for the lake. Today I had time to get out there and look at each of the eight frames in the supers and they are completely drawn out. Each frame has honey on it and hive two was just starting to cap a small portion of the honey. My mentor says the second honey supers go on when fifty percent of the honey in the first super is capped.
Now, if you remember, on the day prior to leaving for vacation I was rushing trying to swap out my plastic super foundation for wax foundation. I was able to secure sixteen frames for the first super boxes prior to vacation but Isabees (the only bee supply store in town) didn’t have an additional sixteen frames for the second honey supers. Not thinking, I went ahead and left all thirty-two frames with plastic foundation with her at the store thinking I’d just pick up the second sixteen wax foundation frames when they were available. Unfortunately, I didn’t consider the scenario of what if they don’t have them when I need them. I called today and they are waiting on frames – no word on when they might be available. So here I sit without super frames and foundation. None. Can’t even get the frames with plastic foundation now…completely out of everything. Not a good feeling but I’m not sure what to do. I’m anxious to hear what my mentor will suggest but I’m hoping those frames get delivered to Isabees quickly!!! Never thought I’d have bees ready to make me honey and I wouldn’t be prepared!!!! What kind of beekeeper am I?!?!?!?
In between all this frame and foundation drama I will make time for that bee biology blog soon…stay tuned!
-Worker Bee 2021
Howards' Hives and Honey 