My Bees Have Arrived
Today is a day I have long-awaited. I’m extremely happy to announce that my first hive arrived today around 1:00 in the afternoon. Today was not the perfect day for bee transport but that was overlooked and Mr. Floyd delivered the girls as planned.
The second hive will be delivered in about a week to prevent any confusion among the bees. Bees need to have time to scout around and realize they moved to a new neighborhood and be able to recognize their new home.
It was a fairly simple procedure. The bees were netted in their home and transported in the back of a pickup truck. The bee yard has been ready now for a few days and all that remained was to lift the netting and move the hive to its blocks. Mr. Floyd and I moved the netting and he carried the box for me and set it on its blocks. Next I shook out the bees still hanging onto the netting. Bees have a sense of smell so they can smell as well as see their hive so they all congregated around the hive, checking for cracks or any openings they might need to seal off.
Hive wrapped in netting to secure the bees
Bees waiting to be set free
Moving the hive body to the "Bee Yard"
Placing the top on the hive
I removed the roof and placed a super on top of the hive box. The super is where they build honey as well as lay brood. I placed the top back on and that was that. In about 4 to 5 days I will remove the top and one by one check the frames for evidence of the queen. I might locate her or at least see that she has started to lay eggs. The bees will need to do some housework on the super as it was a little dirty. They clean it up and make it ready for the queen to lay eggs. At this time the bottom hive box has honey for them to consume and stay healthy until they can begin foraging for pollen and nectar.
Ok, I hope you will stay tuned for more info as my week progresses. Patience will be my greatest virtue this week as I am eager to take a look inside to see how my bees are progressing. Stay tuned…..
My first hive - what a happy day
The bee on top is using her tongue to share some honey with her sister. The long reddish-brown tongue can be seen making the exchange.
This is just so cool!
I know you are excited. I can’t wait to see pics and hear of this new adventure.
You are the best blogger! I love the recipes and the stories.
Keep em coming! You totally entertain me!
Your biggest fan,
Kathi
I can’t wait to try some of your honey. I’ve enjoyed keeping up with your blog. Great job!!
Thank you for following my blog. I’m having a great time writing it. I think the honey is going to be fantastic – stay tuned….Maybe near the end of summer I’ll get my first harvest.
Thank you Thank you! I’m crazy about my bees – every single one of them. Thanks for reading.
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s wonderful and I’m enjoying the journey. I can’t beegin to tell you how excited I am for you and your bees!
I feel like I’m watching National Geographis or Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom!
I LOVE IT!!!
Hey, have you been stung yet?
As a matter of fact, I was stung today on the head by one angry bee – I am sure she does not belong to me! I was taking a photo which I’ve done many times now without my bee suit, and for some reason she got in my hair – that was that. It hurt but not too bad and now she’ll never sting me again because once they sting they die – sad but true. However when you are the stingee it’s not so sad.