Odd bump

[tedh]

Hi Everyone,
We checked our hives last Monday and I noticed an "odd bump" on one of the frames of the drawn frames.  Checked again today and that bump was gone to be replaced by another "odd bump" in a different location.  Here's a pic.  Any ideas?

Thanks, Ted

[Jen]

Looks like a queen cup to me. You might want to look inside of it to see if there is an egg or very small larvae in it, might need a magnifying glass or a little flash light to help see in there.

[Garden Hive]

A queen cup. They are built and torn down very often. When they get an egg or larva in them then they are queen cells.
All of the comb looks very fresh, I'm guessing a package install. While they are building up it's best not to disturb them real often. Understanding that we learn from inspections, but paitence and less invasive inspections are best. 

Very nice looking new comb.

[tedh]

well, we read Jens post (thanks Jen!), went out to the hive, sat down and had a smoke thinking we should take another look.  Came in to check the forum again and grab our veils.  So, now we have one "take another look" and one "leave 'em alone".  I think I'll just wait for more input!   While I'm waiting I'll give a little more info.  Being new to this I'm not sure what's important and what's not We installed package bees two weeks ago today on new undrawn frames (plasticell).  My hive has frames 5 and 6 drawn out with comb on both sides and cells with larva, capped brood, pollen, and honey (syrup?)  Frames 4 and 7 have drawn comb on one side each with syrup and pollen.  When we checked Josh's hive he has frames 4,5,6,7 drawn out on both sides with larva, capped brood, pollen and syrup on all four frames.  He has WAY more capped brood, larva etc. than I and we both noticed he has WAY more bees than I do.  Helpful?  Ted

[Jen]

When in doubt ~ do nothing

Took me a little bit to get that one    I too would wait for more responses.

However, it sounds terrific to me! Bees are moving right along. Give them some time. I now have four hives. The ones that I thought might fail are now ahead of the game. The ones that I thought were going great guns are now slowing down. Each hive is it's own universe. Patience Grassahoppa 

[tedh]

Thanks Jen.  When I can snatch the pebble from your hand, will it be time for me to leave? Ted

[Yankee11]

My hives build those all the time.

I don't worry about them until they start drawing them down more than just the cup.

[Jen]

Well Ted, I haven't been able to snatch any pebble around here yet... There Is Just Too Many Pebbles In Beekeeping. So I guess you and I are here to stay   

Oh Yeah! What Yankee just said ~~~ I'm getting used to seeing those empty cups now and not freaking out, don't worry about them much any more. If they start drawing them down in to a cone shape then run to this forum pronto 

[Perry]

All's normal, they build them and tear them down all the time. You'll notice if they start to draw them down further and they'
re loaded.

[Jen]

Hi Perry    'You'll notice if they start to draw them down further and they re loaded.'

Could you please clarify ~ Thanks

[G3farms]

Queen cup, nothing to worry with. Even if you do see eggs in them it means nothing until they start adding royal jelly and drawing it down into a peanut looking shape.

I have seen many cups with eggs in them that were dried up.

You can "love your bees to death" by over inspecting them, but the flip side to that is, that is how you learn what is going on inside the hive.

It is very difficult to stay out of them I know, sometimes I just have to get my bee fix also.

[tedh]

Thanks Everyone!  I think what I'm going to TRY to do   is change the syrup (one quart jar with 3 small holes) twice a week.  I'll try to avoid going deeper into the hive for the next 10 days.  Maybe give them a quiet time.  Let them get some work done.  Does that sound okay?  I do go out there (to the bee hive) a couple times a day just to sit and watch 'em.     I kinda dig it!  Ted

[riverbee]

ted, what others have said....nothing to worry over.  comb looks great!
heres a read on more "odd bumps" that might appear in your hive/s...........

Queen Cell Identification

[Jen]

Ted! You mean you have your hives right outside your back door like me! Ain't Grand? I do the same thing, a couple of times a day I saunter out there and just watch. I dig it too 

[LazyBkpr]

  When I checked packages last week, they had about three frames of the five they had going loaded with syrup and nectar, so they didnt get any more. We will find out tomorrow if they have managed to keep up with demand or if I need to feed again!   Do your once weekly, look for all the info you need during that inspection. Eggs or queen spotted? How much brood, how much capped brood?   A lot of capped brood so I need to add another box? A lot of nectar/syrup stored? No Nectar stored?
   If your going in, have a plan. Execute plan and act on the results of that plan.. Then step away and dont open them up again until the next plan is drawn up and approved..
    Of course, there are always exceptions...  If they are no longer coming and going, or look like they are being robbed etc.. and we all know that the best plans are those that have contingency plans associated with them... Plan B?
    We'll go through it tomorrow. When you leave you'll be comfortable!

[tedh]

Thanks riverbee.  I actually read that yesterday!
Jen:  They aren't RIGHT outside the door but close enough to enjoy off and on throughout the day .
Lazy:  When I told Josh the trip was called on account of rain his face actually fell!  Never seen that before.  He thought maybe we should just, "go up and look at the hives, you know, how they're set up and...stuff".  Can't wait to tell him the good news.  See you tomorrow!  Ted

Also, thank you all for the input!

[LazyBkpr]

Forecasting the weather is the only job where you can be wrong 100% of the time and still keep your job....   In the last 4 days the forecast for Saturday has changed every day, so I am done looking at the weather.  Set off the siren... Going in!

[Jen]

I wish I could be a little mouse in your shirt pocket to listen to all you guys talk about tomorrow 

[riverbee]

"Thanks riverbee.  I actually read that yesterday!"

ted, you are welcome! it's just a good guide to help new beeks understand what they are seeing in their hives, and what or what not to do......

like jen, sure would like to be a mouse in someone's shirt pocket and to meet scott and his wife.  rain is forecast for us up here too.  whether it  rains or not...... ENJOY!!!