Honeybees Arrival from California Delayed

We buy our bees from Chico California. This year we will replace the colony in Shakopee which died this winter. We were expecting the bees to arrive on April 9th. but it has been cold below 60F (15.5 C) and rainy. For the Honeybees to thrive, temperatures have to be higher than 60 F and sunny. Northern California is experiencing really poor conditions for rearing queens and preparing packages of bees to be shipped. However this delayed, gives us a little more time to be ready. And overall we do not have such great weather either...snow is still predicted in the next 24-36 hours in Minnesota! What a Spring!

Our new arrival date: April 26

When the queens have mated and are ready to lay eggs, adult bees emerge after 21 days. Then they can be placed in boxes (packages) loaded on a truck and delivered to beekeepers. Hoping for warmer weather very soon. Bees teach us patience that's for sure :)

In the meantime, we will visit our apiaries this weekend. I'll keep you posted.

Thousands of bees are "poured" into packages

Packages waiting to be loaded onto trucks

Truck is being loaded with bee packages

Spring Cleaning is Done!

Look at the Little Darlings!

March 16, 2011 : It was the first  50 F ( 10 C) in a very long time. So, it was decided that it was an excellent day to clean up the colonies! Sophie is home for Spring break and was Ben's helper. Although a little scared of (any) insects, she did very well and took pictures.
In Shakopee, the dead colony was cleaned up, and all the boxes and frames were taken back home, and stored in the garage. There was some honey left over on few frames, so we will be able to use them on our other colonies, or give them to our new honeybee package. Pollen patties were replenished, but Ben noticed that the honeybees only nibbled at them. It is good news... it means they still have enough stored honey.

Frame of Honey

In Chanhassen, the same happened. Cleaning, and moving frames full of honey closer where the bees are located, on the very top of the hive. The honeybees are more daring everyday, flying a little longer, and farther. Soon, they will forage for themselves, in the meantime we will help them.

Buds on trees are visible to the naked eye and plump a good sign that  Spring is here to stay, finally.

Spring is on the Way!

Watch for buds!

This week in Minnesota seems to indicate that we are on our way to Spring! The days are getting longer and warmer. If you take the time to look at trees, some have already fat buds showing like maple trees, basswood, poplars and so on. However, the real good source of food for our bees are the dandelions which will bloom around April 10. So if you see one, please smile!
 The honeybees are flying around the hive in the afternoon when the temperatures are at their warmest. They certainly don't venture too far, but they just take a good look outside and cleansed themselves after a very long winter cooped up into the hive.

Dead bees on bottom board

March 8, 2011: Ben went to clean up the dead colony. Removing the dead bees at the bottom of the hive and brushing every frame carefully. we don't want to damage the work they have done, making the combs with wax. That can be reused by other bees that we will hive (install) mid-April when we get our new package of bees.

Left lower corner of frame: honey

In that particular colony, there is still some honey but for some reason the bees could not get to it. Therefore perishing from hunger. We can use that honey left in the frames to help our other colonies until the nectar flow.

Pollen patty

Since, my husband  had time and it was a beautiful sunny day (40F,  4C), he gave each hive 8 oz (228 g) of pollen patty. This is a source of protein that will help the honeybees survive until they can fetch their own food. We will gave some heavy syrup later in the month.

We will take the time to do a good inspection of each hive sometimes this week as weather permits.