in the videos below I am holding up a piece of honey comb. The piece had fallen within their hive - not being secure to the top because of the guide strips originally placed within the top bars not staying fastened in their respective grooves and not able to withstand the weight of comb and beginning nectar storage. Typically the bees will reinforce all attachments of the comb, but I guess this one slipped by...
It was laying on the floor of the hive for a week or so and I was just going to leave it - not wishing to disturb them. Then, on this day it became "clear" that it was okay for me to go in and remove it.
You may notice that the cells are a little squished... not perfect hexagons, as I had to scrape and squish it a bit to get it unstuck from the floor. The dark yellow spots seen within some of the cells is uncapped nectar that appears to have solidified. This is not what it looks like in the hanging comb.
This piece will serve a great purpose in attracting the scout bees to a future home we wish to provide. It can be melted very gently and then the melted wax mixed with remnants of honey-nectar can be painted onto the top bars of the next home we build for them. It will give off a lovely attractive fragrance, and help the bees feel even more comfortable and "at home" in their new home : )
the "squeaking, creaking" noise you may hear in the background is from two overhead tree limbs rubbing together in the breeze ...
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