7th - 17°C

Hive L: Fed more sugar solution.

Hive R: Q found in lower brood box so Q cell in top brood box destroyed. Four frames containing sealed brood left in top box but all other frames removed and placed about 5m away. Thymol tray still contains crystals.

Hive W: New brood found in lower brood box. Four frames containing sealed brood left in top box but all other frames removed and placed about 3m away. Thymol tray still contains crystals.

5th - 15°C

Hive L: The bees had sealed the tray of thymol crystals against the roof so added a Q excluder above so that is was open. Fed more sugar solution.

Hive R: Q cell found in top box. Had the original Q died? All bees brushed off the frames into the lower brood box. A tray of thymol crystals was placed on the top of the brood frames, then a Q excluder, then a super, then a roof with a narrow openning, and finally the upper brood box with the Q cell. If there is already a Q in the lower box I want them separated. I want to encourage them to take the stores from this top box and take them down to the lower frames. If necessary I will overwinter with two brood boxes.

Hive W: The Q had moved into the top brood box and producing brood so all bees were brushed into the bottom brood box. The tray of thymol crystals was added followed by a Q excluder, a super, a crown board, then the top brood box. If necessary I will overwinter with two brood boxes.