April 24: Location Dilemma

4/24
Damage: 1 sting

Opened Russian hive first without smoker. Made mistake not to put 10 frames in the box. Lots of comb hanging off of the top feeder (see pic) where they were filling in the gap made by the missing frame. Had to scrape off comb and throw on ground which pissed them off. Put one frame of honey in 2nd from right position. Decided not to feed anymore so put inner cover back on. The hive slipped and couldn't get it steady so placed 4 cement blocks in front (to the west) of the current location. Picked up the whole hive and placed it on the more stable blocks. Moved 4 feet west. Queen out of cage. Saw eggs!!

Italians. Had to smoke. Much more aggressive than Russians. Queen out of cage. Lots more comb hanging off of feeder. Left the pieces in front of hive. Not sure if they can use it. Could not find any eggs which makes me nervous. I should have put empty comb next to queen cage, not frame with some left over nectar from last year. Doesn't look like she has enough space to lay eggs in that frame. Really hoping the queen wasn't up in the crack of the feeder. I'll check in a few days.

Debating and debating the final location of the hives. Didn't get the new bottom board painted in time and I don't see how I could replace the bottom board at this point. Both need to be higher off the ground. Not getting enough sun where they are but don't like the idea of creepy neighbor watching me work the hives. The response of the Italians is not a good sign either. Can't wait until there are 60,000 of them!

4/23 sat and watched two hives: Italians seem more active around the entrance.