There Was A Robbery In My Backyard

SHHHH, It was me! Yep Liz and I robbed the hive. Not a full-out robbery just a small we’re going to borrow this and not give it back kind of robbery. ?? Does that even make sense?

Liz was the ring leader and texted me to meet her at two o’clock, she wrote “wear gloves, bring the wire cutters and a bucket”. She would be wearing the white suit and carrying a knife and a magic smoker.

With our plan in place we met at the location. Liz didn’t hesitate throwing up her magic smoke to give us cover and before I knew it she was prying open the barrier of the habitation to find the treasure!

We found it and oh what a treasure!

Are you wondering what I am rambling about? Taking honey from your hive is referred to as “robbing”. My original hive was thriving and wouldn’t miss a little honey extraction, so Liz and I took two frames that were filled with nothing but capped honey and removed them for me to preserve.

My first honey extraction, I was sooo excited!!! Let’s just say I was giddy and jumping up and down!

The two frames on the ends of the main box were filled with nothing but capped honey. Which means there was no brood laid in those frames only honey was filled into the honeycomb and then capped by the ladies to keep it clean and pure.

This is what capped honey looks like. There is no “brood” or larvae.

Other frames in a hive will have honeycomb that has been filled with larvae. If the Queen is doing a fabulous job along the outer edges of these frames there will capped honey so that when the babies hatch there is a food source close by.

Honey comb that has larvae.

Back to the Robbery.

We knew the we would have to disarm the defense system if we had any hope in making a successful robbery!

Liz used a beekeeper brush to gently remove any bees that remained on the frame.

With the defense system disabled, Liz quickly grabbed her weapon of choice and swooped in to confiscate as much treasure as time would allow.

Liz then had to use a sharp knife to cut the comb around the perimeter of the wooden frame. These original frames had wire running through them to help the bees to build straight comb.

Holding the frame over a bucket to catch, honey and comb.

With half of the treasure secure in our get away vessel, we thought we would be making a clean get away after the second extraction of treasure. Unfortunately the defense system came back into action before we could complete the robbery, and there were casualties. My thumb and Liz’s arm took damage. Even through our armor the defense system was able to penetrate!

To say the bees were pi_ _ ed would have been an understatement. We were getting bombarded, bumped and swarmed with ladies that were very upset. Even with suits, gloves and boots, the bees were able to penetrate and give us both a parting gift. Though through the suit the sting is not nearly as bad. Though boy oh boy does my thumb itch today!

We did make a quick retreat to regroup, I was ready to raise the white flag, but Liz said that we must carry on and she headed back to the scene of the crime. Ever the brave robber, I followed, though a little more slowly. She sent her magic smoke back into the air, in hopes that it would throw the defense system off our tracks. It worked, and we were able to go back in and rob the rest of the treasure.

Here is documentation of our treasure trove!

With our robbery complete we made a hasty bolt for freedom. Once we were safely away, I wrapped up the treasure and went back to my home base to hide the goods. Liz packed up her paraphernalia in her get away car and headed to her digs to clean up any evidence.

Mission Complete!