HoneybeeLives

We installed packages with Sam Comfort queens from Anarchy Apiaries on Saturday. When we removed the queen cages on Tuesday, here is evidence of some very busy worker bees.

It is fascinating to watch honeybees communicate, almost always with joy and a sense of oneness. When installing packages, leave the box with stragglers resting against the landing board. The girls at the entrance will direct them "home" with their nasonov pheromone.

When late winter gives us days of honeybee foraging, we all rejoice! The bees were out on the snow drops, witch hazel and skunk cabbage.

Take a good look at the entrances to your hives. Make sure the bees can get out. It's been an extremely long stretch where they have not been able to really clean their hives. Today, I removed the winter sleeves so I could take off the mouse guards and entrance reducers, scrapping out the piles of dead bees at the bottom of live hives. Then, I replaced the mouse guards and the sleeves. Super stinky to have rotting, dead sisters piled at the bottom when it's spring brood time and there is pollen to collect. Hooray! We finally have some beautiful bee weather in the Hudson Valley.

Looking forward to more warm days when bees can safely come out to poop. Wednesday in the Hudson Valley, we will be right on the edge of safety. If the sun shines, and the wind is calm, you may see this around your hives. Don't go out with a good coat on! With snow on the ground, if a bee gets chilled she may fall into the snow, and not be able to get up. Snow rescue is usually emotionally rewarding, even if time consuming.