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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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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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Sunshine hive update…
8/12/2023 Between the two weeks of very high temperatures followed by what seemed two weeks of monsoonal like rain, it has been hard to check up on the bees. Last week between storms, we went down to the apiary to observe bee activity from the three hives. The hives that contain the swarms we trapped…
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Plans for the honey harvest…
The author recently attended a Serving Heroes National Conference and visited a container store to purchase equipment for honey harvesting. They acquired a container to hold honey frames and plan to use additional tools like a honey gate and strainer. However, they decided against a centrifugal honey extractor due to budget constraints.
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Plans for Year 2…
The bee season is ongoing, but planning for next year is in progress. The goal is to expand to 6 hives and 8 swarm boxes, requiring new frames, tops, bottoms, side pieces, and stands. Progress has begun with some frame parts already cut. Additionally, a new backstop for a metal sign has been created from…
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Homing swarm two…
7/14/2023 After a blissful 6 hour nap, it’s time get the bees into their hive. Normally, we look forward to this event, but after last night we are not sure of the disposition of the bees. It’s much cooler this morning and that helps. So we grab the smoker, some cutup burlap, and the lighter…
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Good idea, but…
7/13/2023 Just finished moving a swarm trap from Howard County to home. It is full of bees who are pretty upset. Originally, the plan was to move them yesterday the 12th, but severe weather keep us in for the night – mostly without power. The last few weeks we have talked to several people who…
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Swarm trap collection…
6/22/2023 Yesterday afternoon we rechecked the swarm trap in Callaway County and found it to be empty. Kind of disappointing, but that’s how it works. We were in contact with the family in Howard County off and on all week who confirmed bee activity at that trap. Last night, I had an American Legion meeting…
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Sunshine Hive inspection…
On Tuesday, Linda and I inspected the Sunshine Hive to assess population levels, honey and brood. The hive had a good population, more honey frames than expected, and slightly low brood levels. The bees’ temperament seemed normal, with no signs of being queenless. We also captured new comb growth in pictures.
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Swarm trap checking…
6/15/23 On Monday, June 12, our friends in Howard County sent us a text and a video stating that they have seen bee activity at the trap. Linda and I tried not to get too excited thinking that we had been here before without much luck. Well, today we were in Columbia due a PT…