Bee Happy!

We are still awaiting our northern bred bee packages from Draper.

Our new girls from the south are finally settling in though. We will have 4 hives total - Hive A already lost a queen and we have since re-queened and we found this weekend some laying. Hive B is doing excellent as we have already added the 2nd hive body and she is laying beautiful sheets of brood and they are starting to create lovely honey arcs on each frame. We will have to keep a close eye on this hive to ensure space and discourage any swarming.

This year's spring was so early but now has been just meandering with temperatures in the 50s and 60s, cloudy with intermittent rain allowing for perhaps a a prolonged nectar run?

Those moments, 

when the bees are active, vigorous and there are sheets of brood, 

are something to behold and enjoy!

Winter Preparation for the Bees

The early fall had very low nectar flows, probably due to all the rain. We were disappointed as we have a couple of acres of golden rod, which vary though in nectar production depending on the species. So, not only did we not have the opportunity to collect honey but the bees barely have made enough for themselves. They need about 35-60 lbs of honey stored to survive a PA winter, depending on who you ask. We have been feeding them a heavy syrup for a few weeks now. Our stronger hive all year has actually declined a bit and has not produced enough honey still, maybe about 15 lbs. We continue to feed them using now ½ gallon plastic buckets rather than the glass jars with metal tops that are difficult to clean and rust. We hope they will build up their stores in time or we will simply have to feed them all winter. We noticed at our last visit that wasps were feeding on the side of the hive and trying to gain entrance. Our second hive is finally well organized and strong and has produced at least 45 lbs or so of honey based on the non scientific method of just picking up the hive body for weight. We attached mouse guards on the hives a month ago but we noticed a mouse living underneath, who scurried out as we were feeding. Using 12 bales of hay, we built some walls behind and around the hives to protect them from the impending winter winds and to help reflect the warmth of the sun to the hives. November has been luckily a mild month and hopefully the bees will continue to build up their supplies using the food we provide.

Working Hard!

The bees are working intensely, collecting nectar as fast as they can. I found them covering sedum around the house and all over the meadow collecting from the golden rod. We are still feeding them sugar water though which they are using quickly these last few hot days. They have been bearding a lot too to stay cool as pictured here.