Last year I moved the bees from this section down to the lower section for winter.
I felt they would have a better chance at survival due to lack of numbers.
They are now busting at the seams and knowing how fast the Coloney will grow in spring, it’s time to give them some more space.
Prep
I start getting ready for the expansion, by getting my open hive separator, some of the old frames with comb and the new upgraded rear screens I will be using.
The frames that will be going into the hive. Some have drawn comb, some do not.
They will also get this frame of capped honey I pulled from the freezer.
Remove the Feeder
The feeder is pretty busy. I will have to plug the tube when I remove the feeder.
The cover is rolled into place while keeping the hose against the hive.
The end of the tube is plugged with a large cork and set aside.
Start the Smoker
At this point, I start the smoker. Shown here it sits next to a fan powered vent to keep as much smoke out of the bee house.
Remove the hive the Separator
I remove the frame support rods and pry the closed hive separator with my hive tool.
The hive separator is separated from the hive by lifting the separator.
The separator is removed.
Install Open Hive Separator
I use the smoker to clear the bees a little and install the new hive separator.
Install Frames
I take some of the frames, I set aside earlier, and install them in the middle section.
Open the Lower Section
I loosen the inner screen insert using my hive tool. Note that I give the bees a quick smoke to move the bees away from the screen before removing it.
I use the hive tool to loosen and remove the outer screen frame.
The Bees
Inspect the hive
I start inspecting the hive.
Some of the frames are removed to give me some room to quickly check the hive.
Move Frames
Some frames of brood are removed from the lower section and placed in the middle section.
Since I am using an open hive separator, it does not matter if the queen gets moved.
Install Rear Screens
The outer rear screen frame is installed on the middle section.
The inner screen is installed on the middle section and secured.
The process is repeated on the lower section.
Check the Trim
The main reason the trim is added to the rear screen is to close some of these gaps.
The trim is adjusted to remove the gap. This will help keep some of the critters from entering the hive from the rear.
Install the Feeder
The feeder is reinstalled.
Cleanup
The foam insert is added to the hive
I use my bee vacuum to catch the bees that escape into the bee house.
Not very many bees this time.
The bees are emptied to a platform in front of the hive.
The march home.
Conclusion
All completed (Including prep) in less than an hour. Everything is back to normal.
After 24 hours bees have moved into their added space.
Be sure to check out my Building a Slovenian Hive book series.