Almost 6 weeks since the last update - because my GoPro memory card died. I took 6 frames of capped brood from the near-swarm level original hive and put them in the empty hive on the right. It took a week longer to get a laying queen than expected... thanks Hurricane Florence.
So last weekend the new hive had a happy queen. 2 new frames of capped brood. All was well, until 2 days ago.
I started noticing fighting and robbing of both hives. I immediately put entrance excluders on the new hive, gave them syrup and a pollen patty because a gallon of syrup had been drained in less than 48 hours.
Did it leak out? No, the hive was dry. I also noticed the main hive on the left had several bees trying to get in under the top cover.
Today's inspection before going to work showed massive robbing attempts on the main hive (the big one on the left with the honey super on top). Fortunately, the robbers weren't bothering the newer, weaker hive any more.
Turns out a large wild colony is robbing my hives. I know where it is. I'll tear into the wall of that old structure and domesticate them next spring. If they can't coexist in the bee yard, I'll requeen them.
I hesitate to do so because this is a survivor colony in an old farm tenant house from the 1940s. They at least deserve a fighting chance, but that house is going to fall down anyway, so better to put them into hives and manage them while I can.
They're pretty gentle and people say once you get them in a bee yard together they typically work as one giant colony.
Anyway, this video is of the aggressive behavior and fighting, a look under the top lid (the robbers can't get in but they can smell the honey in the super), the entrance - once modified, and evidence that it's working at the end.
Very interesting hobby, so far.
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