The collection

September 9, 2011

Karine brushing the frames

Ben and I collected all our supers (surplus honey) on Friday September 9th. To make the honeybees go down into the hive , we use a natural spray smelling like almond...the bees apparently don't like that very strong odor. However, we still had to remove few tenacious bees on each frames using a soft brush.

The Burley to transport the supers

In shakopee we had to carry the 40 pounds+ boxes full of honey. Our hives are about a football field from our car! Ben had a wonderful idea to bring the Burley along. We use to bike with the kids all the time, so they were inside taking naps!)

Ben "tasting" our  2011 Honey

It was easier in Chanhassen because the access to the apiary is maintained and the distance to walk shorter. And It is  a good thing; this is where we got the most honey! when we harvest honey, we do not disturb the bees. We only "take" the boxes that are on top of the hive, thus not opening the brood nest, or their own "reserve".

Our Garage-Honey-House

We brought everything back home and our garage was set up as a honey house (one day I will have a real one). It smelled so good, I told Ben that if this is what a bee smells from a flower; I know understand why they are attracted to those sweet aromas.




     We stacked the supers...we had a huge tower this year!  
The day was done, we were ready for tomorrow. What a good feeling. All our efforts are going to be rewarded :)