It’s been busy. We have successfully bottled all the honey and found places to store it. We are still in the process of freezing frames to prevent damage by wax moths. We have treated the hives with apiguard (a simple process that just mostly requires timing) and we have made several stops in the local bee store where we cash in on free bee talk. The little beekeeper and I were also able to attend a local beekeepers meeting where we grabbed a few souvenirs and had the privilege of listening to a guest speaker.
Check out https://www.stevensbeeco.com/ for additional info. I could try to summarize what this guy puts into practice but I’m sure I wouldn’t do it justice. Being a Biology major I find it all so incredibly interesting…but even at that, a lot of what he discussed was above my head on the bee front. So much to learn, so little time!
At the same bee meeting we had our first real life introduction to bee drama! Neighbor issues. “Your bees are in my swimming pool” kinda thing. City council was scheduled to have a meeting. I don’t know if the beekeeper will be able to keep her bees or not. I’m not sure how many of my neighbors know we have bees but the ones that do haven’t been anything but supportive. I really hope we can keep it that way!!! And I’m thankful not many of them have pools.
I’ve been trying to “heft” (lift from the back to see how heavy they are) my hives more frequently. Heavy equals honey. The bees will need a plentiful honey supply to make it through winter. Hive #two is significantly lighter than hive #one. I’m sure we will have to feed this fall. It was also suggested that I might trade out frames between the two hives…swap an empty or light frame from hive #2 with a full frame of honey from hive #1. Seems like a good idea but I want to check with my bee mentor first to make sure I understand the risk vs reward on such a management strategy. I’ll keep you posted.
As summer comes to a close and fall is approaching I have noticed more bees on my flowers. They are welcomed to any and all flowers in my yard but I do notice they have preferences. Rarely will I notice a honey bee on my petunias while others seem to really attract the bees. Whatever flowers you might have in your yard, I’d encourage you to keep them watered and blooming through fall if you can. I can’t help but wonder if I’m seeing more bees now as they maybe become more desperate for resources?!?!? Either way, I sure enjoy seeing them at my flowers near the house. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds…plant the flowers and all these fun little creatures will come!!!
-Worker Bee 2021
Howards' Hives and Honey 