We Found One Queen, But the Other Is Playing Hide and Seek, Hive Inspection #9, Part 3

Inspection number nine is done and this week we were intentional about showing every frame of both hives from start to finish — both for our own reference and so you can see exactly what a working hive looks like at this stage of the season. The good news is everything in both colonies looks strong. We spotted the queen in hive one without much trouble. Hive two kept her hidden again, but the evidence she left behind tells the whole story — eggs and larvae absolutely everywhere. A queen doesn’t need to show her face when her work is that obvious. Both hives are packed with honey and pollen stores right now, which makes complete sense. We spent time yesterday watching the foragers coming in loaded with pollen on their legs and you can see exactly where all that effort ends up when you pull the frames. The connection between what you see at the entrance one day and what you find inside the hive the next is one of the most satisfying parts of keeping bees. It was a warm one out there. You’ll hear us mention the breeze a time or two — when you’re suited up on a hot July day in Southern Indiana, every little gust is worth commenting on. Finding the queen in hive two is the mission for inspection ten. She’s in there. We just have to be more patient. 🐝 Lily Rose Farmstead | Southern Indiana #beekeeping #beekeepingforbeginners #beekeepers #bee #honeybee #honey #hive #apiarylife #apiary #secondyearbeekeeper #queen #hiveinspection #farmlife #homesteading #farmsteadlife #farming #indiana #learning #beekeepingtips