Hi Good Beekeepers,
Family health problems overwhelmed the good beekeeper in me, but the prediction of 18 degree weather got me moving. I opened this hive this afternoon, and took off the shallow honey super, and replaced the top. there are scattered holes in the wax frames, from 1 -3 inches in diameter, which sure suggests mice damage to me.
Which should suggest to you that, no, the mice excluder was not put in. When we took off the shallow super, there were live bees visible in the bottom super.
First, please remind me how and where to put the syrup, and what the ratio is. Is the arrangement the same as the beginning of the first season, when I fed from the top, with just the brood super? Second, does the hive need to be further insulated? Third, how to get mice out, before I put the excluder on. Next, a couple of the honey frames have honey in the cells. Should we throw it out because mice have been around?
I feel pretty bad, cause I really do love my bees.
Thanks,
Marie
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