The Czarina arrives

Post: Bernie: May 4, 2011
Note: To follow our Bee Keeping adventure from beginning to end, choose Setting up the hive from the index at right.

Eric decided that seeing that no eggs were being laid in the comb the safe course was to get another Queen, but the only one that he could get that was close by was a Russian Queen Bee.

I call her the Czarina...

Opening the hive to install the Czarina.

They are making comb but no eggs can be seen.

All set, now let's see what happens.

... and if the Italian Queen Bee is still alive in there there's going to be a cat (oh, I mean) Bee fight (to the death. There can only be one Queen (just ask Mary Queen of Scots if you don't believe me). I'm betting on Regina Italiana.

Next: A Black Bear shows up [READ]

Trouble with the Queen

Post: Bernie: April 29 through May 3, 2011
Note: To follow our Bee Keeping adventure from beginning to end, choose Setting up the hive from the index at right.

Bright sunshine this morning shining right on the hive but when I went out, no Bee sounds could be heard. I thought maybe they were all out working already. Later in the day I checked again and still no buzzing and not a Bee in sight. I called Eric.

He came right over and we opened up the hive, great Bees, a lot of Bees, but on inspection no larva was being deposited into the comb cells. Maybe something happened to the Queen Bee? The cold weather maybe?

Next: Czarina arrives [READ]

A new platform

Post: Bernie: April 28, 2011
Note: To follow our Bee Keeping adventure from beginning to end, choose Setting up the hive from the index at right.

The weather changed back to very cool and damp.

Eric made a platform for the hive that would keep it off the ground and provide better sunlight and air circulation.

The larger size gives him a place to put the frames and other things while he is working at the hive.

We lifted the hive and slid it up onto the platform.

Eric gave them more sugar water.

Then back together again.

But after some cold nights and damp, cold  days I became concerned that something happened  to the Bees.


Next: Trouble with the Queen [READ]

The Queen on her throne

Post: Bernie: April 26, 2011
Note: To follow our Bee Keeping adventure from beginning to end, choose Setting up the hive from the index at right.

The Queen seems to be out of her little box and in the hive.

Looks like we have very active Bees so far, They are built this comb in a couple of days.

The process is that the Worker Bees "draw" comb for the Queen Bee to lay eggs in. The plastic comb frames get them started, and it is better organized, better than having comb all over the place. The Queen lays her eggs in the comb cell (six sided), the Worker Bees tend the larva and then cap the cells. Worker, Drone (our otherwise called, Always Smiling Bees) and Queen Bees emerge every 24 days or so. Then the Workers clean the cells where the new Bees hatched and the workers start filling them with the substance that will become Honey.

This process goes on (Bees live only approximately 45 days, so the Hive needs to be constantly regenerated)) throughout the summer as the Queen lays eggs, the eggs hatch, the cells are cleaned and then used to store Honey for the winter. By the end of the summer this hive that began with four pounds of Bees (approximately 8,000 to 10,000) will become 80,000 to 100,000 Bees!

Next: New Platform [READ]

The Feeding Box

Post: Bernie: April 24, 2011
Note: To follow our Bee Keeping adventure from beginning to end, choose Setting up the hive from the index at right.

It's been a few days since the "Box o' Bees" was installed and the Bees seem to be active and happy in there new Hive. It is time though to make sure they are getting enough to eat in this early Spring.

Eric is going to open up the access point.

As you see now there is a larger opening.

He also is going to take away the emply "Boc o' Bees" and the box and  install a Feeder Box that he made that will contact sugar water.

Feeder box and bottle of sugar water.

 Breaking down the Hive levels.

Off comes the roof.

The box that holds the hopefully now empty "Box o' Bees" box.

There they are up on the top of the comb frames of the Brooding Chamber.

Buzzz....

 This is why he has that suite on!

The Feeder Box have two areas with a open center channel covered by a wire mesh.

That goes on top of the Brooding Chamber.

The gray level is that spacer again used so the Bees get a little more room between the top of the Brooding Chamber and the bottom of the Feeding Box.

Sugar water being poured into Feeding Box.

Cover put into place.

Cover on all set. You can remove you suite now Eric.

Next: The Queen on her throne [READ}

The Bees arrive

Post: Bernie: April 24, 2011
Note: To follow our Bee Keeping adventure from beginning to end, choose Setting up the hive from the index at right.

The Bee Hive box has arrived!

Box 'o Bees!

It will be opened and placed into the open box chamber above the Brooding Chamber until all the Bees leave this box and make the new hive their home.

The Queen.

Eric getting the Queen box ready to hang in the hive.

How many Bees?

Well you really buy a hive by pounds. Better that trying to count them. I'd like to see that video. "One, two, three, oh did we already count that one? Four, five, six, I think they are getting annoyed,. Stay still will you. You there SIT! Yes, you. Seven, eight, nine. Oh, hell with this. Let's just weigh the box of them..." This is a 4 pound 'Box o'Bees", about 8,000 to 10,000!

Enter and exit here.

That opening is where they will enter and exit, for now. That gray piece of wood will later be removed for maximum access.

Eric, are you sure about removing that cap?

The pael keeping the Bees in the "Box o' Bees" is removed.

Eric is teasing the Bees with the Queen. (lol)

This is the Italian Queen Bee box that is sealed with "candy" that she will eat her way out of to become one with the hive.

Eric gets the Queen ready to hang between comb frames the Brooding Chamber.

Placing the Queen between the frames in the Brooding Chamber.

Now to remove the sugar water feeding can that was used in transport from the "Box o' Bees" shipping container

Taking the feeder can out.

Feeder can will be placed on those town wood strips in the bottom right corner of the Brooding Chamber Box.

This feeding can is them placed above the frame.

Feeding can will give the Bees food until they start to forage on there own.

The empty box frame that we saw earlier now show it's purpose...

...to contain the feeding can. And...

Here they come!

...the "Box o' Bees".

Bees are going out that hole in the bottom of the "Box o' Bees" box into the frames.

Here you can see the "Box o' Bees" and the feeding can, back there in the right corner.

 The spacer frame goes on to allow more head room so the "Box o' Bees" can fit.

Top cover.

The roof is put back in place.

And Eric has a new hive installed and we have Bees in the yard!

Sonja and Joey watching, at a safe distance, while Eric and I are "messin' with the Bees" (The Point)

Welcome to our yard Bees.

Next: The Feeding Box [READ]