First bottom board check

I have screened bottom boards at the base of both hives which serve several purposes. By pulling out the plastic board and observing what you see, you’ll begin to get a sense of what’s going on in the hive. The above picture is from Hive 1. You can see lots of bee debris in the middle, left of center. This indicates where in the hive the main cluster of bees are and presumably where the queen is laying eggs.

Another important reason for observing the bottom board is to monitor pests like the Varroa mite. Should a mite should fall from a bee, it would fall through the screen and not be able to get back in the hive. The number of mites found on the bottom board help determine mite population inside the hive.

 

Bottom board from Hive 2. Both boards also had several brightly colored yellow and purple clumps of pollen.

 

Not sure what I’m seeing in the top corner of Hive 2. Will have to ask my mentor.

 

This picture was taken later in the day. The bees are out doing their bee thing.