This evening, I took a peek under the top covers of both hives. Bees are not too smart when it comes to water and syrup. About 100 Italian bees drowned in the top feeder. Since it was pretty much empty anyway, I took it off. There were many bees up in the split between the two sides of the feeder and I didn't want to shake them out, so I propped it up against the hive. There was a lot of activity in the top box. The Italians appear to be making a slow recovery. I replaced the inner cover and top cover.
I was curious to see if the Russians were yet storing honey in the super above the queen excluder. There is some controversy about whether queen excluders are necessary: some people call them "honey excluders." Remember that the point of the queen excluder is to keep the queen from moving up into the top super and laying eggs, thereby mixing brood and honey when what you really want is a box full of nothing but honey.
I'm pleased to report that the Russians are in the top super and storing honey!
Here's the problem: I have no extra supers on hand, and both hives are growing beyond capacity. As usual, I have not thought ahead and am not prepared. I'm kicking myself for this mistake. I placed an order tonight from Mr. Simpson (Simpsons Bee Supply) for two medium supers with frames. There is a supplier in town but I'm partial to Mr. Simpson. He's given me very good advice in the past, so I want to support his company.
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