Hi there --
I am a New-bee from Massachusetts (Harvard). First timer... Been feeding sugar
syrup since installing the hive April 9th. Finally the dandelions
are blooming...the apple trees etc. I am still feeding, but will
stop when I see they no longer want it or take it. Now, the last 2
Sundays when we opened the hive, there is quite a bit of burr comb
under the feeder. Of course job 1 is to clean that up nicely--which
we did.
The frames are filling up well and we have the variety of cells that
we should (larvae, capped and honey--I could be looking at other
stuff too, but just don't know it yet!). I moved one of the outside
frames inside on this week's visit. They are only building on about
6 or 7 so far.
A few questions: Should I consider stopping the sugar syrup sooner
than when they seem to not want it any longer?
Does the presence of the burr comb mean I should put on the 2nd
brood super?
Should I leave the scraped off burr for the bees to re-purpose in
the feeding super? Will that just encourage them to make more in
the wrong place?
Finally, and I am bit embarassed to say,
The bees seem to be very insulted and not at all the zen and peace-
filled docile creatures I see in the videos/pictures or described in books/articles.
Mine do not like me much! I am keeping the fear under control and when they get
stirred up, I just walk away for a bit (in my sealed suit!). I am feeling a bit of fear and anxiety though...to be very honest.
Can NEVER imagine working bare handed~*gasp* ! Will I ever get there???
Any help is greatly appreciated -- Wendy