The Great (Bee) Escape

It started out as a quiet couple of days on the homestead, but the bees had other plans...

[@SteynHoneyFarms]

The second hive that you opened had queen cells in it. That is the hive that swarmed. The ladies will swarm when the queen can no longer lay eggs due to space, by the look of the brood box it is packed. Maybe doing a walk away split on the hive in 45 days is not a bad idea. Hope this helps. Remember when I got my first hive and first swarm. It scared me crazy. Well done your ladies look fantastic.

[@afargreenhomestead]

Thanks for confirming! That was my thought too, that it was that hive that swarmed. I just hadn't expected them to fill that second super so fast!

[@SteynHoneyFarms]

@@afargreenhomestead Those ladies are dynamite, I know strong colonies is intimidating but they are amazing to work with. Thanks for the video, I enjoyed watching it.

[@vees_bees]

The gutters look fantastic! They truly frame your house! Oh no! Swarming is my biggest fear! In fact, you have inspired me to put another hive together to put out in the apiary as an option for them! The second hive looked like it had a long queen cell on the first brood frame (backside) you pulled. Maybe check to see if it is open. I felt that heft on those supers!! I run 8’s just for that reason. I give you tons of credit for running 10’s! Capped honey looks amazing though. Best of luck and congrats on hive# 3!

[@afargreenhomestead]

Unfortunately they slipped away in the night, so no third hive. But I'm definitely keeping full hive set up prepared from now on!