OK... so here we go...
In order:
Hive #2) WTH happened??? TON of drones!!! They've clearly superseded. Ken gets the credit for pointing that out. They were in the process of doing it again. He recommended moving a couple frames from Hive #3 along with the nurse bees on it, centering the best 7 frames in the top and bottom deep, and REQUEENING... He gave me a contact (Dave) for a new queen down in Uxbridge, MA. It's about 1h10m from home. On the upside, I had to go to my sister's house in Worcester, about 50 minutes from home, last night. When we were done at her house we went to meet Dave at his house. The new queen is currently in my kitchen and will be introduced to the hive this afternoon. Gonna off the current queen, move the frames as suggested, and put the new queen in - cork still in. Will remove the cork on Monday. Northern-bred queens from upper California.
Hive #3) Nice and strong. Will be stealing two frames of brood and nurse bees from this hive to give to Hive #2. Although they probably won't be able to draw and fill it all before winter, he suggests giving them a honey super to work on. I'll get that ready this weekend and probably give them on Monday when I remove the cork from the Q-cage in Hive #2.
Hive #1) Remember how I mentioned after one of my inspections that this hive seems to have turned around night & day and it suddenly seemed to be doing WAAAAAY better.... Yeah, Ken agreed that they must've superseded. He feels this is a good, strong hive. It would probably be even better to move the frames from this one to Hive #2, but I'm not currently equipped to transport this. However, I will end up making a 4 or 5-frame transport box for future use.
Overall he says everything is well, but that I should feed them more, and only use 2:1 syrup, not 1:1, and offered his reasons as to why; helping them draw the new comb and use less energy turning it into honey among those reasons. Far less moisture content to remove, less energy expended for the same end result. He also suggested I put Apiguard strips in the hives near the end of October.
My better-half was with me for the inspections and venturing down to meet with Dave. Both Ken and Dave are phenomenal contacts to have made. They are both extremely friendly and helpful... let alone full of great information about keeping bees in Massachusetts! While they are certainly not the kind of folks that brag in any way (which is a good thing) they offer their knowledge in a very user-friendly way and are quick to share... and learn! For example, he was unaware that MAQS can be frozen to extent their longevity for future use! I thought it was pretty cool that I had information that he did not. Considering I'm essentially a first year beek, it feels pretty cool to be able to help someone else out! They are also active in Harvard bee studies, which includes studies on the effects of neonics.
I told Dave about our forum here and invited him to join it. I hope he does! Ken has told us that if we ever want to inspect his hives with him to just give him a call.
I'd have to say that meeting these two guys has definitely been a positive experience and I can't wait to work with them again!
Marion: I asked Ken, the inspector, if he goes to Hindsdale. He said he typically only goes that far West if there's an issue. He said there are two other inspectors out that way, but they are relatively new. If you call Ken @ the number I gave you, he'll give you the contact info for the inspectors out your way.