Hello All.
Brought my first hive home night before last that was given to me.
Landowner said her tennant had them 4-5yrs never touched them. It was just a brood box, no supers. But strong and almst honey bound.
Yesterday, with the help of my mentor who has been in bee keeping over 30 years, we changed the brood box that had seen its better days, put a screen base board down, added two supers. About 2hrs after working them I notice bees stammering about outside on the ground all around the hive. at the entrance I notice larvae, pupa and a few dead drones. Watching for a while I see 2 worker bees drag a drone pupa out and fly off with it.
This morning the bees were evil mean. They flew out like yellow jackets 1 even hit me on the lip, she didn't sting but I think she meant to. The screen inside was covered with larvae. Almost 1/4 cup outside entrance.
Yesterday I worked in short sleeves, black pants and cologne breaking all rules. not 1 sting.
He even commented he couldn't remember a more gentle hive.
I wonder if the stammering bees were killed by their own hive. I guess almost 1000 combined.
Any ideas.
Thank you in advance.