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April 2010

Bees Arrive

Date: Saturday April 17, 2010

Prior to starting the classes in March, we ordered two packages of bees. I learned a little late that one should order their bee packages as early as October for April delivery. Bee packages go really fast. In this area there are typically two types of bees people order: Carnolian or Italian. We ordered one package of each, not knowing which one would thrive more in this climate. Turns out both have their benefits, but only time here on the mount will tell which ones are more busy.

We finished painting the hives. We strayed from the typical white hives. I wanted something a little more colorful. Farmer Steve and I went to our local Sherwin Williams and headed straight for their exterior mistints. The two colors we chose were the only two available. We later purchased the accent colors to kind of go with the original base colors we purchased. Turns out bees not only recognize colors, but also patterns. Here is what the hives look like now that they are all painted.

Today was the big day. All the training and classes could not prepare us for the first bee package. Well, not exactly true, the training and schooling did help us to know what we were to do, but letting out approximately 3,000 bees in one's general vicinity, no matter how much protective equipment you have, for the first time is a little scary.

Sure, I grew up with bees. But as a teenager my experience with my parents beekeeping consisted of me being in the general vicinity when the honey harvest began and helping at the local agricultural fairs. I never suited up and got into the hive with my mom or dad. I knew enough to keep my cool and to talk Farmer Steve through the fear. He did a really great job and took charge of the release process.

We successfully released the bees into the hive after placing the queen and her cage into the center. Sugar water in place, they will sit for a few days and slowly eat the sugar plug that keeps the queen in her cage. We will check in on them in about three days to make sure each of the queens have survived the transfer and to confirm that they are both out and about doing their thing, making the hive a happy place.

I know the colors of the hives aren't that desireable, but at 5 bucks a gallon we could not resist. Besides, now I can see them from the house out there on the top of the hill very easily.