June 2009 – The Healthy Honeybee

Sisters

by Honey

I’m not sure if this is sisterly affection, or sanitation crew. When I went to check on my bees Tuesday, this drama was playing out in front of one of the hives. The bee on her back is not really moving much, but still alive. Her sister was hanging around, and to me it looked … Read more

I Think They’ve Settled In

by Honey

I forgot to put bricks on top of the hives this afternoon when I was there, and I also wanted to check and make sure nothing weird was going on, so I drove out to the beeyard for the 3rd time today to check the hives (no opening, just watching the entrance) and put the … Read more

They’re Here!

by Honey

Here I am with one of my nucs. Tibor Szabo’s beeyard is behind me – this is where my bees came from. A big thank you to Tibor for all of the helpful advice that came with the bees! Now I feel like a beekeeper – I actually have bees to call my own. I … Read more

Ready… I Think

by Honey

I took the girls out on a ‘breakfast picnic’ this morning at Fertile Ground CSA, which is where my beeyard is located. Today is the first day of the CSA pickup season for Angie and Mark, so they were very busy setting up their washing station and harvesting their organic veggies. I was busy too, … Read more

Last Minute Jobs

by Honey

I had a little helper today as I added some finishing touches to my brood chambers. He helped me hammer the frame rests into place. Hopefully that will be the last job, other than heading out to Fertile Ground CSA to set up the boxes tomorrow morning before I pick up my nucs! Yes, tomorrow … Read more

Pretty Pics

by Honey

These bees are not mine – they belong to Ken. In this picture they are working on capping some honey. The white part at the top is freshly capped, while the bottom combs are full of honey and not yet capped. Isn’t it beautiful? I can hardly wait to get my own. .

Many Hands

by Honey

I now have painted hives, thanks to my two helpers! .

Many Thanks

by Honey

I have to say a big thank you to Ken and Steven for letting me tag along as they inspect their bees, and for all the sage advice I’ve received so far.Here are Ken and I, looking for a queen in this colony today. It took awhile, but Ken found her. She hadn’t mated yet, … Read more

Power Tools

by Honey

I spent some time tonight putting together my two brood chambers – it’s getting there! The gaps are for the frames that will come with the nucs. There will be a queen, 3 frames of brood, and lots of worker bees in each nuc package.

Some Assembly Required

by Honey

It’s time to start putting the hives together – the bees could come anytime after this weekend!