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.