Is anyone dressing up as a honeybee or beekeeper? I’d love to see your pictures. Fall is settling in and I can’t believe how dry we have been. I hope the bees are able to find what they need. I’ve been watering what plants I do have left but it’s getting hard to keep up. With fall coming I lose my momentum knowing that soon everything will be cold and barren. However, the bees are still flying and in need of resources. I’ve supplemented with feeding. They are taking the syrup so quickly. I use a hive top feeder and put the sugar water inside each hive. The hives had been really heavy (a good sign) but with the warmth and dryness they seem to be going through their reserves quickly. Feeding has added some weight so I’ll keep buying the sugar and mixing until the evening temps drop for good. I’ve noticed the birds are also very appreciative of the water sources in the yard.
One of these years, after a good honey harvest, I’m going to hand out little bottles of honey to trick or treaters! Can you imagine? I wonder if the kids would be excited or disappointed? Maybe I could play it safe and hand out the honey IN ADDITION TO candy. Maybe next year I’ll have that prepped and ready. We’re up to six hives and I’m hopeful at least five will pull through to spring. If the spring goes well, we might have enough honey to do all the fun things!
For now, get out there and enjoy the beautiful fall season. The colors are beautiful and only last a short time. If you happen to spot a honeybee, wish her well. She’s working hard to do her part to help her hive thrive. It’s not easy being a bee.
Worker Bee – 2021
Howards' Hives and Honey 