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Final inspection of the season…
This beekeeping season has been educational, highlighting the importance of putting theory into practice. The final hive inspection involved removing unused items, counting frames, and placing a wool pillow over remaining frames. The pillow helps regulate humidity and temperature, vital for the bees’ survival during winter. The hive will remain closed until spring to assess…
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Update on the apiary and barn…
Summary: The apiary’s active colony is being monitored without unnecessary disturbances. Final inspection and preparations for winter, including removing the feeder and adding a wool pillow, are planned after the first frost. In the barn, wood replacement due to neglect is ongoing, with additional tasks like structural support and prepping for painting.
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Wiring the frames…
On 10/20/2023, the process of making frames was demonstrated, except for wiring them. Wires are essential for support, regardless of using strips or a full frame of foundation. Although wiring the frame seems simple, challenges like breaking and forgetting to staple occur. Ultimately, about 28 out of 40 frames were successfully wired.
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The Barn and Networking…
9/20/2023 The barn is a structure that was here when we bought the property. It quickly became one of our favorite places. The previous owner used it for a pony barn. We started using it as a place to store gardening tools. The barn had water but no electricity. We ran a power line to…
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LST-325 trip…
9/18/2023 Today was a road trip kind of day. Linda had read that LST-325 was docked at Hannibal, MO and we wanted to visit. We left home around 10:00 and got to Hannibal just in time for lunch. We ate at the Mark Twain Dinette and that alone was worth the trip. Among other things,…
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Update on the Floral Hive…
On 9/12/2023, while checking on the Floral Hive at the apiary, it was found empty, indicating absconding. Despite regular care, including providing sugar water, the bees left. To prevent a weak colony in winter, frames were frozen. The absconding may be due to various factors, possibly linked to the dry season’s poor nectar flow.
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Frame Day…
On 9/7/2023, frame assembly for the next year began. The process involves placing and gluing pieces in a jig, and then stapling them. Despite the loud air compressor, two videos demonstrate the process. 36 frames were completed, with bottom pieces being the limiting factor, but easy to make.
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Revisiting the Cedar Grove garden…
Linda and I established the Cedar Grove Garden this year. Despite facing extreme weather, the garden managed to thrive. After neglecting it, we reclaimed the space and revitalized it with compost and mulch. Over three days, we worked hard to finish the garden, resulting in a satisfying end product.
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Working on frame tops…
September 1, 2023 I decided this would be a good day to work on frame tops. Of all the pieces of a frame the top takes the most amount of work. First the frame needs to be cut to a length of 14 5/16 inches and then to a width of 1 1/2 inches. After…
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To treat or not to treat, that is the question…
8/31/2023 This is another play on a quote from Shakespeare, this time from Hamlet. It does point to one of the most contentious topic in beekeeping. Namely, bee treatment for the presence of the varroa mite. According to this website, “varroa mites have only been in the United States since the late 1980’s when they…