I apologize for seeming so ignorant, but I'm a 1st timer and although I've read a LOT, and I thought I had this all figured out but now that I actually have the bees I'm very confused and questioning everything I thought I knew 
There is absolutely no need to apologize! The learning curve in beekeeping is extremely steep at first, and we are here to help!
This weekend will be the inspection for both hives. One is a Langstroth (deep brood box) and the other is a long lang. Both have 10 frames. I understand the logic to the long lang, just add frames as needed (which is why in my mind that is a better option - I guess I'll find out!) but the other one ??? If the 10 frames in the brood box are close to being filled, then I should add another deep box? From what I've read, giving all that extra space is hard for them to protect and could cause problems, but obviously they need more room. I don't have a medium box, just another deep and then the shallow. Again I apologize for this probably stupid question, but you've all been very kind so far and any help would be greatly appreciated.
Adding space to a new hive is a balance, but if their first box is close to being filled, then they do need another one. Another deep may seem like a lot to add at once, but as long as the first box is full of bees, they'll handle the extra space no problem. And remember when considering how many bees are in the hive, that capped brood is very close to being more walking bees.
My other question is I put screen bottom boards due to the intense temps we get. I pull the plastic board out regularly to see what's there, lots of small junk and some small pollen balls. I think I saw something that looked like a mite once, but that's the only time (which is good, right).
Random mite drop on a bottom board is not a reliable way to judge mite numbers. Once you feel like they are built up a little, I'd recommend doing a sugar roll or alcohol wash to get a better idea of the mite situation.
My question is, in the long lang there is the open section that's blocked off, however the bees can get access to it. There were about 6-7 dead bees there last time I went to feed them. Is it necessary to remove them? And if they're in this hive, then does that mean that there are probably dead ones in the other one as well (because bees die) is it necessary to lift the brood hive to remove possible dead bees or do the garbage bees toss them out? I have found a couple dead bees outside this hive. I know, so many questions, and again, thanks to whoever has the time to add some input. thanks in advance.
6-7 dead bees is basically none. I'll see 30 or more tossed off the landing board on a warm day in winter. The bees will clean out their dead and the rest of the hive's garbage on their own. They may be a little bit behind since the hive is still small, and they are prioritizing other tasks right now, but a sizeable healthy hive doesn't need any help keeping the hive cleaned out.
If you have any more questions, follow-ups, stupid worries, whatever, please do not hesitate to ask. Beekeeping can be overwhelming at first, as it's not comparable to anything else you do in life, but that's part of what makes it so amazing!
Topic: Newbee question re adding boxes (Read 1580 times)