The Last Chore

On the first week of November, Ben and I did our last chore at the apiaries. It was a beautiful sunny day but somewhat a little cold 42 F (5 C), but I had to remember that it was November. As we approached the 2 colonies in Chanhassen, Ben who was walking in front of me and seeing the hives before I did, got a little agitated. "Where are the bees? I don't see any bees...Oh! They 're all gone, I can't hear them...where are they?" We opened the first hive body... nothing...no bees, no sounds. We removed the first hive body and put it aside, and there our bees were sitting pretty and calm on top of the second box. They had managed to scare us, one more time! But then they saw us and came out, flying gently around us, as to say: "Hey, we are here do not worry!" I whispered to them to have a safe and healthy winter, and that we will be back in the spring. I petted few of them gently. It is funny, I think they knew that was it for the season.

After my goodbyes Ben proceeded, to place an absorbing wood board on top, and then slid a waxed cardboard carton over each hive to protect the honeybees against the frigid Northwest wind. He replaced the covers and put many rocks and bricks on them to make sure they will stay put. We then backed away, looked at the hives one more time wishing them well. We walked slowly to our car. That was it, the season was over. There is nothing else we can do for our precious honeybees. They are on their own, and we really wish them to be successful and be healthy and strong come next spring.

We repeated these last same steps in Shakopee. The golden Italian bees had returned to their own hive. The darker Carniolans were at peace in their own hive... they have fought an aggressive invasion in October, many died and they lost some honey. Hopefully they will have enough food to survive. I waved goodbye, and wished them well.

What an adventure it has been, and despite the ups and downs, the unknowns, and strange happenings; we enjoyed every minute of it. And along the way the bees taught us a lot: first of all they are a capable species that is combative, hard working and self reliant.

We wish to all our friends and families a good, safe and healthy winter. Thank you for being interested in bees. During the winter months I will be posting what we are doing and thinking for next year, and please if you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them.

"Bee" well,

Karine

In Chanhassen

1. Ben placed a moisture board on top.

2. Now the cardboard.

3. Ben closes the carton, leaving the exit hole open.

4. Voila! Ready for winter.

In Shakopee

1. Moisture board in place, and carton next.

2. Yes! well done!

3. Placing the cover a little

"crooked" to let the moisture escape.

Look at those 2 beekeepers....they look so proud!!!!

Karine at the Chanhassen apiary and Ben at the Shakopee apiary.

Be Well, Have a Safe Winter

Look our 2 hives in the background

November is finally here, and the honeybees have slowed down considerably. Even if like other insects, they are cold-blooded; they do not die off or hibernate like them. They are active all winter eating and transforming their accumulated honey and pollen to keep warm.

Since the cold weather started the honeybees have organized themselves in a tight cluster, moving their "back legs" muscles intensely to generate heat and to warm the cluster. Unlike us who need a warm home during winter, the bees need only to be warm themselves, and sharing this warmth among the group.

Something extraordinary happens to bees at the end of summer. The bees that are born in the Fall are different than the bees born in the Spring or Summer. So the so called "Winter" bees have a different blood protein, they are fatter which help them during the non-foraging months. They also live longer, from 4 to 6 months. Summer bees' life expectancy is about 45 days! However, those Winter bees have a daunting task... they have to get the colony through the winter. But they have prepared themselves since about August; the population is now smaller, and brood production is halted. Everything has slowed down.

Honeybees are geniuses! The cluster that they form will expand and contract as the outside temperatures go up or down. As temperature decreases , the cluster thus becomes tighter and tighter. The inside of the cluster is able to maintain a temperature of 85-90F! While the outside layer of bees can reach and maintain 55F. Extraordinary! The bees rotate...they take turn to be on the outside, protecting the core where the queen is located during the whole winter. This outer "coat" of bees always touches the honey stores. The honeybees eat during that time making sure to pace themselves as to preserve the food which HAS to last until April. That's 6 months of food reserve! I don't have 6 months of reserve in my pantry... How about you?