Bee Keeping

[Zen]

That is way cool. I like the idea of a Bee Inspector

knockknockknock
Who's is it?
Bee Inspector!
I'll be right there!

[short cut sally]

Last week was busy and just getting to update presently.
I went to my first local honey bee association meeting. I am a new member, at a whole $5.00 a year fee. The elderly gentlemen were so funny. The forum was open as I was told, usually there is a quest speaker but that night it was just a night for socializing. I borrowed a new book to read. Met a man (Chuck) that removes bees from unwanted places and gives them to anyone that wants them. Gave him my name along with my Dad's name for when he gets any extra bees. Meetings are once a month, the wives bake snacks for the men and they also make coffee. Am so looking forward to next month.
My bees were scheduled to come in this past Thursday. SO, DH readied the selected area of occupancy for the hives. He put filter fabric down to help with weed control, put in metal rods for the fence posts and got the wire run for the fence. Bears and skunks need to be reminded they are not welcome here. He just needs to get some stone to lay on the fabric to make it look even better. He made a nice pedestal for me to place the hive on with room for an extra one just in case. We went and picked up our bees, and decided that it's getting late so we would put the bees in their hive in the morning. We also picked up the hive kit for my dad, along with another hive kit for myself just in case Chuck called and said he had a swarm for us. We came home rather late, as we stayed and visited at the bee place for quite awhile. There was a message on our answering machine from Chuck, he had a swarm and could he bring them up that night. So, we readied everything and got my first free swarm all safe and sound in the hive that was ready for the packaged bees..Friday morning, before going to work, DH, Dad and I are assembling all the hives and painting to get ready for the packed bees that need their new home soon. Sat. morning, we put the packaged bees in their newly assembled hive.
Yesterday (SUnday) morning we fed both hives pollen patties, which are these thin flexible sticky things (that resemble the size of frozen cheesesteak patties) that go inside the hive and offer them nutrients and sugars until they can obtain their own. It has been really chilly and windy here lately so they won't venture out to explore so we are supplementing with sugar water and the patties.
When we lifted the lid to the swarm bees, they are in a huge clump stuck to the inside of the lid. I'm not sure if this is normal or not, I have to get more information. The packaged bees, are running all over all the frames inside. THe packaged bees, their queen bee comes in her own little cage, which is capped with a sugar cube and they will chew her out and once she is released, they will be acclimated to her and will accept her as her queen. So, with her still being in her little cage, they were active around her. And she is at the bottom of the box. I am not sure where or even if there is a queen in the swarm clump. Without a queen, bees become confused, will either fly away or die. With them just in this big ball, I'm not sure and I gather you shouldn't play with them until its a little warmer out and no wind.
I sent off my paper work to Albany to register my bees. Apparently they will send me my "numbers" for the hives which I have to post either inside or on the outside of the hives. The inspector may or may not come this year as they are new. Was told, next year for sure. OH, they don't knock, they just show up...so one has to be on their best behavior at all times.
Apparently, in addition to numbers on the hives, it's recommended to put your name on the hive bodies and frames. According the older men at the meeting, if there is good quality honey, after an inspection, hives in the past have come up missing and it never gets solved as to where they go. Not very often but they each had a story or knew someone that has theft of their hives. Gosh, I only thought that happened with bikes, electronics, vehicles, and money.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Amazing! What a completely fascinating update....thank you!!

I would think if the 'free' bees are clustered in a ball perhaps they are surrounding/protecting their queen until they get oriented?

[Zen]

I'm still stuck on the Bee Inspector concept though I doubt it would make for good TV.

[short cut sally]

Zen, all I can say is I hope the "girls" are properly attired when he "peeks in" on them I'll be thinking of you when I meet him....

[Zen]

I just realized something.
This thread is useless without pictures

[GLC1968]

Shelly - that is SOOO cool that you got a free swarm! I can't wait to hear how that pans out over time. Make sure to keep us updated (and yeah, pictures!).

Zen - This was from the inspection two weeks ago. We don't have traveling bee inspectors (as far as I know, anyway) but my H does open our hive and take notes on how things are going once a week. He often takes photos:


I thought he had a photo of the queen, but I can't find it online. He may not have uploaded it yet.

[papaver]

My father used to be a bee keeper, but when mobile phones became popular (and antennas were planted kinda everywhere) the bees just vanished...