I just added a second box of frames to my hive, making it twice as big. A couple of weeks ago the bees started hatching out new workers, and the hive was suddenly full of bees. They started drinking a jar of sugar water a day, and the entrance got so crowded the bees could barely get out! That was a good thing, but it also meant they needed more space. So I ordered another hive body (the boxes) just like the last one, only this one I got wax base for the bees to build on instead of plastic. The plastic is stronger and easier to deal with, but I have heard people say that the bees prefer building on wax. While I was at it, I got a bottom with a screen in it for the hive. These keep out pests because hive beetles fall through the screen and out of the hive.

I also went to an extraction another beekeeper who lives near me was doing. It was very interesting, and gave me a good idea of what an extraction is like. I forgot the camera, so no pictures, but here's the process: First, the frames are taken away from the hive and all the bees brushed off. Next, a hot knife is used to melt off the wax, and the frames spun in an extractor, which uses centrifugal force to draw out all the honey. The honey is then strained of wax and dirt and bottled. Water must be kept out of the honey, because it is the only thing that can cause honey to rot, apparently. Without water, honey can be stored indefinitely.

Tags: adding a second hive body