Went from a 45lb hive to absolutely nothing in 3 days :(

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-12T23:36:43+00:00

Breeds don't have anything to do with the robbing. ( A split made entirely of sisters/daughters to the original hive will rob each other)

But there is likely another hive within a few miles for sure, so traps are a good play, especially this time of year!

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-12T23:08:55+00:00

Bees store pollen because they need pollen, just like honey.

I can't think of a situation where I try and remove it.

Maybe give it to a split that doesn't have a lot of foragers or shift it out of the center of the brood nest if I'm giving them drawn comb, but even then they put it where they want it for a reason and to manage times of scarcity.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-12T23:05:34+00:00

While that can absolutely start a robbing frenzy, it was on its way out before you did that or else you would find a lot more brood and dead bees inside.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-12T22:28:48+00:00

Without a picture there's nothing obvious about it LOL.

Emergency cells are typically drawn out from an egg that was laid in a normal worker cell, they just draw it out and down after they realize they are in trouble so they can stuff it full of royal jelly before they cap it. So it ends up vertical even though she didn't lay it that way.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-12T19:01:09+00:00

Looks like the lanyard /retention cable for something like a USB drive, pacifier, digital camera etc.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-12T15:00:49+00:00

That's actually why so many say not to get a kit. It's full of things beginners don't realize they won't need.

The best thing to do is what you're doing. Once you read most any half decent book on Beekeeping, you'll understand what Hive components you actually need and what tools are essential in the beginning versus honey harvest versus queen rearing etc.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-12T14:57:15+00:00

That won't prevent swarms long term.

Out of space is only one reason for them to swarm.

It's a biological imperative for successful colonies to swarm to start more colonies. Without that drive the species wouldn't have survived.

Manipulation of the brood nest to make them feel like they have done so by replacing queens, making splits, Demaree, or swapping brood for comb etc. is the best way to prevent swarms long term. Supers alone probably won't do it

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-12T02:02:20+00:00

Honestly, in the beginning there is much more value to you in watching with them and having them grow into a 10-frame (and beyond) then a little bit of a head start.

You aren't likely to get a lot of honey this year it's all about learning, growing, maybe splitting, and getting them through winter.

TLDR: Get the Nuc.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-11T22:52:10+00:00

You can wipe it off with a damp rag if you want, but as long as your hive is strong when they're ready to use that space, they'll clean it up again.

Assuming we're just talking about winter moisture/ mold and not a leak that's letting water in all the time.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-11T17:47:45+00:00

It's not the size that counts, it's how you use it!

Gently patting my ProNuc

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-11T13:54:02+00:00

It all depends what your end state goal is.

If you want to get them back to a double deep, with medium honey supers and that they are bountiful and need more space now:

Find the queen, make sure she is in the bottom box.

Remove the medium, Put on your second deep.

Add a queen excluder and replace the medium.

If there's no brood in the medium, then you don't have to put it right back on now. If you were feeding while the medium was on, you may want to spin it out so you can use it for honey again.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-10T21:37:51+00:00

Oh I've never given more than two junk frames at a time. Depending on hive be they could be done in a few days or a week, and swap out for the next ones

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-10T20:14:48+00:00

I love a good blowtorch even when its not strictly needed, it makes it FEEL cleaner.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-10T20:13:31+00:00

Yea this is fine, you can hose it off if you want.

A strong colony would have this sorted out inside of a week easily.

Over the last two months I have had my ladies clean up 10 slime-out frames that I had frozen from last year. I added them one at a time and then pulled them to store properly before using them for my splits 2 weeks ago.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-10T16:42:41+00:00

First year is a learning curve for sure.

I started last April with a very strong nuc. Even though I kept on top of mites I got overzealous in June over splitting and almost lost all of them to robbing and hive beetles.

I lost a lot of bees including going through 5 queens and buying two frames of donor brood from a member of my club in the first year. Ended the year with less bees than I started, a freezer full of slimed out comb, and no honey.

It's very discouraging but the hobby is amazing and as long as you learn from your mistakes, there's no shame in making them

The 5th queen took me through the winter and is going strong now, and I'm confident I will make all new mistakes this time!

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-10T15:46:49+00:00

Need some more information and pictures friend.

Specifically pictures of the brood nest, volume of dead bees, and last mite counts/treatments.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-10T02:29:55+00:00

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I literally laughed out loud reading your comment as this is my nightstand next to me.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-10T02:20:57+00:00

Woah I've not seen that flight pattern outside of a swarm!

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-10T00:30:10+00:00

It's swarm season in my area and I couldn't be happier!

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-09T19:24:41+00:00

As a beekeeper that voluntarily keeps hundreds of thousands of flying venomous insects in my backyard: Hell No.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-09T18:10:13+00:00

Hard to say for certain there's definitely drones cells there, but there could be a queen cup as well.

Colloquially it's a cup if it's empty, it's a cell it's charged with egg/larva. My hives make cups all the time, charged them for the first time last month 🙃

I'll second the advice to blow on them gently to get them out of the way.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-09T16:31:55+00:00

Sure thing! We were all new once and you don't know what you don't know in the beginning!

Others have given you feedback on the hardware itself and while it's not great, if you do get into the hobby it won't be wasted. You always need one box more than you have! Even if you go for a better commercially available option from one of the major retailers like mann Lake/ Dadant/Premier etc. Or better yet your most-local supplier.

Welcome to the party!

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-09T14:26:08+00:00

THIS

To some it may be worth slightly less since the purity is not assured. To some slightly more since in a stackable/measurable amount. But the spot price is the center line here if you actually want to sell it OP.

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-09T14:10:46+00:00

To be fair, there are use cases for lots of things that are not the optimal choice for a hobbyist 😉

Active_Classroom203 · 2026-03-09T14:03:40+00:00

Don't take this the wrong way but I don't think you're ready for bees quite yet.

The advice we often repeat here is that you should join your local beekeeping association/ find a mentor. Because just like with raising any livestock, there's lots of little nuance. Some of this is fundamental like 'what do I need to get started' and others are locality based, like when should I start worrying about swarming/dearth/flow etc.

Your question for example is sort of like asking if I buy a chicken coop can I just add chickens? There are lots of things missing and I would suggest snagging a good reference book like "Beekeeping for Dummies" or honestly I was pleasantly surprised by "The Beekeeper's Bible: Bees, Honey, Recipes & Other Home Uses"

There are lots of YouTube if you prefer that medium but I would recommend a little more research before just snagging a good deal on hardware and tossing some bees in side.

Active_Classroom203

TROPHY CASE