Installing Our Package Bees
When we first decided to venture into beekeeping, one of the considerations was where would we source our bees? The two most common, and economical choices, are either to catch a swarm, or to purchase bees in a ‘package’ from a commercial apiary. Not sure...
Hive Inspection: Hoping for a Well Bred Queen
Last week we inspected both the Saliva Hive (primary swarm), and our smaller nuc hive (afterswarm), and noted that the difference in progress between the two hives was due to the presence of a mated Queen in the primary swarm, and a virgin Queen in the afterswarm...
Hive Inspection: Colony Comparison
Despite a run of cool and cloudy weather, and a few sprinkles on Saturday, we did manage to inspect both hives Sunday afternoon, and the difference in progress between the hives is notable. The Primary Swarm Inspection The first colony of bees we hived at the end of...
The Afterswarm
We’ve known for some time that the colony of bees residing in our neighbor’s attic is very robust. They’ve survived multiple winters without medications, or supplemental feed. However, as happens in all hives sooner or later, these bees have simply...
Hive Inspection: Brood and Burr Comb
We didn’t plan to do a hive inspection again so soon, but it turns out it was good we checked our swarm hive, now named the Salvia hive, this weekend. Since the bees arrived all signs have been suggesting that the hive is functionally normal even though...
Our 2020 Calendar Is Now Available!
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