The Honey Factory

[BirdsBeesTrees]

We've been butchering chickens and turkeys the last 2 days, as soon as I can remember I'll take some pictures of the Long Langstroth hive my husband has almost finished for me.

 

[MarkJr]

She's already a great looking queen!

Thanks!!

I owe credit to my wife. It was a very small Sept swarm. First one that I’ve ever hived, had them fan at the entrance, then decide to leave two hours later. We hived them again and she combed through the bees until she found the virgin queen. Stuffed her in a cage threw feed on them, Put them in their spot at dusk. Next day they were drawing out comb so I released her.

I was worried about her mating. Drones haven’t been kicked out yet, but they are getting close. So far, they are doing OK. I don’t think they have the numbers to make it over winter, but I’ll have resources for the next swarm at a minimum.

 

[duluthralphie]

Thanks!!

I owe credit to my wife. It was a very small Sept swarm. First one that I’ve ever hived, had them fan at the entrance, then decide to leave two hours later. We hived them again and she combed through the bees until she found the virgin queen. Stuffed her in a cage threw feed on them, Put them in their spot at dusk. Next day they were drawing out comb so I released her.

I was worried about her mating. Drones haven’t been kicked out yet, but they are getting close. So far, they are doing OK. I don’t think they have the numbers to make it over winter, but I’ll have resources for the next swarm at a minimum.

Funny you should mention the drones. I had them still the other day. I thought they would be dead by now.

 

[MarkJr]

Typically kick them out after last fall flow or first frost.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Mine are always in an early drone extermination mood.

 

[MarkJr]

Mine are always in an early drone extermination mood.

Package bees kick them out early. Bees that have been here a few years feed the bums and keep them around until after fall flow. I will put 30lbs on Sept1 to Halloween.

 

[duluthralphie]

We have had our first frost a couple weeks ago. A hard freeze a week ago. Very few green plants around now.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

It's not finished but it's so exciting to see it coming together! I got my screened bottom board and bolted on legs. It's a sturdy beast for sure! I hope the Squatch bees love it. Now if they will live through the winter I can split my Squatch hive in the spring! If not, I guess I know where I can buy more...

 

[jerryse]

So goldenrod is done blooming here . Now the wild asters are in bloom . We have a white and light blue types .

 

[duluthralphie]

“Best plans of mice and men often go awry”...

That’s me and bees this year.

The weather went from hot and windy to cold and windy.

There was no point at which I dared to open the hives to winterize. I thought Thursday I could on Thursday it was suppose to be above 40. Well, the weatherdorks changed that.

Maybe Friday morning.

I guess I will just order bees in the spring.