Interpreting the drawers

Below, the left part of the drawer is covered with greenish debris: the bees are cleaning old mouldy frames. The white streak in the middle comes from a block of candy placed in the centre of the hive (above the inner cover). The right part is full of pollen grains (yellow “nuggets”). It is clearly visible that the south side of the hive (right side) is more densely occupied than the north side (left side).

Dark brown debris comes from the uncapping of old wax. The bees are therefore consuming old honey, which frees up space for egg laying.

Transparent fragments: wax scales used by bees to cap brood or honey, or to build comb.

Debris resembling raisins, sticky and soft: propolis grains.

And always the inevitable fragments of old wax, more or less brown, and pollen grains as signs of brood rearing.

Semi-spherical wax shapes: uncapping of drone brood. Drones are emerging in large numbers, and in about two weeks they will be sexually mature. This marks the beginning of swarming.

Among pollen grains, white debris can be observed. These are crystals of “sugar honey” that the bees are currently consuming, originating from the feeding syrups of last autumn. They are making room for fresh honey, which cannot be stored due to unfavourable weather conditions.

Remains of bee bodies (heads, legs, …). Bees that died and were then shredded to pass through the mesh of the screened bottom? Drones eaten immediately after emergence because of poor weather conditions?