The Bees are Alive!

Russian Bees Exploring!

January 26, 2015

It was sunny and pleasant, 42F so I went to visit my bees in Chanhassen, MN.  The Russian colony is alive and well. I saw some bees flying as far as 100 feet from their hive. They really live up to their name...like the Carniolan bees; the Russian bees have a good overall success of overwintering.  And in addition they have a better tolerance to Varroa mites. I love my Russian bees :)

My question is: Why don't we see more of them available to hobby beekeepers? Especially in our rigorous part of the world?

I also have 4 Italian colonies in another apiary in Chanhassen. 3 out 4 survived, so far.
I am a little surprised I thought that maybe 2 would not make it. Hive 4 had a lot of Varroa mites all summer long, I treated, and treated but was not very confident in the fall about their winter survival.

The bees are not out of the wood yet.... The next 6 weeks will be the other big test. The queen will start laying eggs (next couple of weeks or so), thus the worker bees that will keep the brood warm will eat a lot of honey to keep the nest very warm (93F).

I believe that I left enough honey for he bees, since I did not harvest any. However, even if there is food in the hive, the bees have to be able to walk where it is located. Sometimes, if it becomes very cold suddenly, the cluster of bees will tighten, protecting the brood and will not be able to access their reserve, even if it is one inch away.

Bees are flying in and out of their hive

I will keep an eye on the weather and my colonies. Hopefully everything will be smooth and uneventful!

2015 Beekeeping Classes in Eden Prairie!

Bee Class!

Of course it is still winter in Minnesota but it is not too early to think about honey bees and beekeeping! 

Taking a beekeeping class will help you see that spring IS on its way!

Listed below is what the Eden Prairie Community Education Center is offering in 2015

                                      All classes will take place at:

                      EDEN PRAIRIE COMMUNITY EDUCATION
                                         8040 Mitchell Road
                                       Eden Prairie, MN 55344

                                      To register call:  952-975-6940

              OR visit the website: https://edenprairie.thatscommunityed.com


Here are the classes:

Exploring Beekeeping NEXT WEEK!
Wednesday, January 28, 2015  From 6:30-8:30 pm
Education Center in E.P. Room # 319
Cost: $ 15

This two-hour course offers an introduction and brief overview of beekeeping. It will cover: city ordinances, equipment, time and financial requirements, races of honey bees, beehives location, obtaining and installing your new bees, honey plants and bee food needs, pollination, pesticides, as well as helping your honey bees to stay healthy. If you are interested in keeping honey bees, but not yet sure how to start, this class is for you. After taking this course, you will be able to make a well-informed decision about keeping bees in your backyard. And, if you would like to pursue beekeeping, Eden Prairie Community Education will offer other beekeeping courses as part of their spring course offerings.

Backyard Beekeeping I
Tuesdays, February 3, 10, 17 2015  From 6:30-8:30pm
Education Center in E.P. Room # 319
Cost: $35

What's the Buzz? Join Part 1 of our backyard beekeeping class! It is an introduction to keeping bees by learning the basic beekeeping skills: history, honeybee society and biology, equipment, hive products and more! Learn much of what you need to know to start a new hobby--caring for and enjoying your own honey bees.

NEW CLASS Beekeeping in Minnesota: The First Year
Wednesdays February 25 & March 4, 2015
Education Center in E.P. Room # 201
Cost: $25

This class will teach you what you need to know to be a good beekeeper, keeping honey bees in Minnesota. From the time you get your bees, to the tasks that need to be done in your bee yard to be successful throughout your first year. I will teach you the techniques necessary to keep healthy bees and to be a happy beekeeper.
Prerequisite: Exploring Beekeeping

Backyard Beekeeping II
Tuesdays, March 10,17, and 24 2015 From 6:30-8:30pm
Education Center in E.P. Room # 319
Cost: $35

Looking to take your backyard beekeeping skills to the next level? Part 2 of our Backyard Beekeeping series, you will learn all about seasonal colony management like fall harvest and processing. We will also discuss bee health and what you can do to keep your hive healthy. At the end of this class series, you will have the knowledge necessary to create, cultivate and grow a thriving beehive!

Thinking about Beekeeping!

Hives in deep snow

Happy New Year Everyone!

It is still winter in Minnesota, no doubt!  It is only January!
What about the bees? What are they up to?

Right now the bees are hunkered down in their respective hive. It is amazing how they can survive the frigid weather. They do not sleep or hibernate like a bear, instead at about 57 F, they will form a ball, the size of a large grapefruit. The queen will be happily in the center, warm and fed.
Their exceptional success of survival comes from the honey bees themselves. The hive is not heated like our home is, but rather the bees in their well defined ball will generate heat by flexing/moving their flight muscle...like shivering. This will allow them to move a bit around as a cluster, to eat, to feed the queen and to rear brood early in the spring. Right now there is no brood, so the temperature of the cluster in between 57-85F. This helps the bees by not freezing.
An important task for the bees during those very cold months, is to be able to access their food reserve. Usually the cluster moves from the lower box on the ground to the upper box where the honey bees have stored their honey.

Winter bee cluster 

Another interesting thing about bees are the fact that they never defecate inside their hive. So they wait patiently for a nice sunny day like 38F, and go outside to poop; called cleansing flight...to be polite!

Dead bee

Sometimes, they underestimate the temperature or are too adventurous, and cannot come back to the hive.

Dead bee in snow

Cleansing Flight!

Soon, in about 6 weeks or so, the queen will start laying eggs. The temperature will be then around 94F in the nest.

On a beautiful, sunny and warm day (40F) in February, I will go and see if my bees are alive. In the meantime, I will stay warm, and hopefully my bees too!