My bees are buzzing!

Liz

Thank you to our great beekeeping mentors! I got my 2 Italian bee packages set up in their hives on Sunday. Sunday was perfect - very little wind and pretty warm. Both queens were placed into their respective hives with their marshmallow corks. I shook both boxes into the hives and turned the cans of bee food upside down on the pallets next to the hive so they could keep eating. I filled both inner hive feeders with a 1:1 ratio of sugar water, and put some long strands of straw into the feeders to help the bees climb out if necessary. The bees quickly seemed to settle in, and over the next few days, I would check on the hives, watching the bees go in and out, and I would also see them in various places on my property. Their golden color really stands out.

I had ordered some HiveAlive pollen patties, which came today, so I decided to don my bee suit and open the hives to place the pollen patties inside. I was pleased to see both queens out of their cages, happily surrounded by attendants and walking around on the frames. I also saw quite a few bees with full pollen pouches on their legs, probably due to the abundance of grape hyacinth & dandelions that have sprung up in the fields. I put the pollen patties in, refilled the sugar water, and closed them back up. The bees didn't seem to mind me at all. I didn't even have to use any smoke.

So far, I'm very pleased. I am so grateful to a great class and information. I feel so confident in my new bees, and I hope they continue to do well!

rhfire

Sounds great, Liz! Make sure they have plenty of grass ladders—I’d even add a small piece of wood under the grass or straw so if they fall, they have a safe landing spot. Remember, bees don’t swim… at all. They drown.

I checked my bees today and they’ve gone through a quart and a half since Saturday, even though, like yours, they’re bringing in their own resources!

My queens are out too, but not laying yet, which surprised me. I’m guessing they’ll start by tomorrow. Just a quick tip: I’d start using a little smoke by late May so they get used to it and associate it with you.

Keep us posted.
Rod

SweeetTaste

Congratulations! Enjoy your bees as they settle in and get to work around the neighborhood.

Liz

Week 3 report!

Today I found both queens right away, very busy. I have comb drawn throughout the hive - beautiful milky pale yellow. The bees are still very gentle, but I finally got the smoker working correctly last week, so I've been able to smoke a little for the past 2 checks. I have a lot of different things blooming within and around my property, so the bees have a wide variety of choices right now. Even so, I have been feeding with the 1:1 sugar water, and they are eating it up.

I found what I think is capped brood, and lots of honey & pollen cells. My next goal is to take pictures - still not confident enough to handle a camera while in bee gear, but I'm getting there. I was pleasantly surprised at how much comb they've drawn over the forms in just a week. Last week, I had a bit drawn on 2 frames, but it looked weird and I was worried they didn't like the foundation. But this week, it all looked fantastic. One hive has a bit on every single frame. I'm only using 8 frames, but still I thought that was pretty good progress. I'm also happy to report that my hive location is working out very well, even in rainy or windy conditions. It's especially gratifying to see my yard bathed in dawn light, with the first direct sunlight hitting my bee yard while everything else is still shaded. It's quite beautiful, and helping my bees get an early morning start even though it is still pretty cool at this time of year.

@SweeetTaste I still need to get your empty packages back - I was unable to make it to the talk last Saturday. Maybe you'd like to come by at some point and see my set up or I could also meet you somewhere if you would prefer. I'm not sure when our next planned meeting is for the classes.

SweeetTaste

Liz The next bee meeting is scheduled for June 28th, 6 PM at the barn.

Hold on to the cages. We will have to schedule a good time to visit and check your bees. Saturday's work the best for me but mid or late afternoons also work depending on each day's schedule.

rhfire

That sounds great, Liz! I think this year’s packages are much more active—probably because there are more foragers in them. Just a couple of thoughts: for taking pictures, try using exam gloves. They’ll give you better dexterity, and they work with touchscreens. Keep feeding until they stop taking it. And if you have, (in your 8-frame hive) drawn comb and 6 to 7 frames with brood, eggs, larvae, and capped brood, it’s time to add the top brood box and move your feeder up with it.