Hi Jan,   

You may have learned what caused this since you posted some time ago.

Maybe you haven't so I thought it deserves an answer here.

This is all about "bee space".  That feeder gave the bees space to build comb helter skelter. You probably don't want them doing that in the future as, it can make it difficult to get access to the hive. Also when you do open the hive it tears that comb and if they have nectar in it will drip on the brood area and may cause more trouble.

https://youtu.be/vsYyHSWIY1M  This video shows a similar situation and the same crazy comb the bees built in a gap at the top of the box.

And this video goes into full detail on how the Langstroth hive is designed. https://youtu.be/uloW43GykHg  and this one too  https://youtu.be/qNQsC9l8ePQ  Explaining bee behavior in the hive.

Switching to a solid top board will close that space preventing comb build out. I think you can feed granulated or patties on the inner cover in the bee space between it and the top cover or directly on top of the frames.  Also I think feeding syrup is more effective than granulated, if you give them a choice they will go after they syrup first....

Hope this finds your bees and you happy and healthy.

Debby - again, thank you.  I got stuck on these not looking like capped cells, and was sure that I had some obscure invaders in my hive.....and I was going to have to be burning everything!

Now, fingers crossed that my queen who was laying eggs up off the top cover and candy board frame made it back into the hive.  I was careful to knock the bees from these to the top deep/now bottom deep.  And, am now thinking that this is where I damaged what were the capped cells.  Such a learning process.  

Sugar - I got this!

OK - I am back in over my head.  Weather was nice, so was going to switch the top and bottom deeps, maybe look at some frames.  Got in, and started seeing this ?larva in the comb the bees built under the top cover, on/above the wire thing for the sugar candy, on the top of the frames and even dropping to bottom board.  

Was rather proud of how prolific my ladies were, but am now am imagining the worst.  Have not been able to find a picture of anything like this in my books or even with a search on Google.  What going on?

Thanks!

Congratulations, Jan!  You did a GREAT job of overwintering your hives! Some of mine look like this as well, and that makes me very happy.

If you remember in class conversation, the bees travel upward during winter months following the stored food, so it's not surprising that they are congregated and building comb in the hive top area. If we have ongoing chill rainy periods and your candy is depleted, you *may* want to add granulated sugar to keep that building population fed. I am adding granulated sugar every couple days to my colonies that are growing populations while blooms are still a bit scarce. They will stop taking the sugar when they can get out and about and find enough nectar in the world. At some point when it is pretty warm, you can clean up that unwanted "burr" comb in the top. On a great warm afternoon, you might also consider swapping the bottom deep top be on top of the top deep, so that the colony has the room they forgot they had below as they moved upward. That can slow down their thoughts about swarming. One issue for splits is that weather and food resources need to be in good order for plenty of drones to be available for new queens mating. It's all weather dependent. So having a swarm trap or bait hive at the ready is a great idea to allow for nature to take its course. Our next meeting presentation will be on this topic and we will be posting the slide presentation to the website soon.