08/09/2026
They did not like me going in to their hive(s) today. Today was the first time i went in deeper than looking at a frame in the top box. I have yet to do a full inspection this year and last year for that matter, I think. There must be something to not disturbing the colonies every week or every several weeks.
I went in only to verify brood in the bottom and middle box and only looked at a frame for capped brood, larva and eggs, so I could add the varroxsan. The top boxes were chock a block full of the honeydew. Gross.
I thought there was something going on with #2 for the last week, second from the right (I have been in New Hampshire most of July). My explanation was I forgot to flatten the corner of an apiguard tin in June, so it was stuck to the bottom of the ventilator box. When it came time for the 2nd application, I found that tin still had thymol in it. I added the 2nd dose anyway. [ #2 was the only colony that swarmed because it was the strongest in population and honey production.]
I think the queen shut down for a while according to what I found in the literature so what I was seeing was a good brood break in my most robust colony. Looking at a frame from mid and bottom boxes, I was satisfied with the amount of open brood and this explanation was as good as any.
