Well, in spite of reading, completing a six week class watching a friend and videos, we were the Three Stooges (or Two) of Beekeeping at our first inspection today. We have practiced the smoker several times but today it wouldn’t stay lit. Cranky bees. Hive top feeder had tons of burr comb on the underside with bees on it who had to be shook back into the hive. More cranky bees. Forgot to put the inner cover on in place of the feeder and had to go back in. More cranky bees. Lessons learned, next week will be better.
Surprised how many SHB we have in the bottom tray. Used an idea from online by baiting a CD case with a bit of honey. After just a week, I think the guy who sold us our nuc sold us beetles, too. Catching them in mineral oil in the bottom tray, too.
Otherwise, queen is still kicking, thank goodness she’s marked. Thought I saw an egg, we didn’t stay in too long.