Two More Weeks!

The official start of the beekeeping season is almost here: package day! Only two weeks away. I'll be getting a package for the first time since I started this whole hobby four years ago. I need to replace the dead-out that was Cam's hive. I also need a new queen so I can split Toby's hive. Then I'll be back to three hives instead of the one and a half I have right now. I am so ready to get rolling with the new year! 

I checked on Toby's hive today and they are ready to rock and roll. Both boxes are totally full of bees. The drones are hatching out and they're making more queen cups. Good thing I'm splitting it or they would be ready to swarm for sure.

Spring Cleaning

It was almost 70 degrees today! Time to turn the water on already? Crazy. The bees sure are thirsty. They're taking in tons of water for the brood. I keep having to refill their waterers.

I went all the way though hive #2 (the strong one) today and got it cleaned out and reversed the boxes. It's looking good with lots of pollen and nectar coming in. Lots of brood and even queen cups already. Yikes.

I pulled a frame of capped brood out of this one for #3 twice. It's still looking puny but if they can hang in there for another month, I can re-queen it and see if they can bounce back.  The mild weather should help.

Wait a minute! That's not a bee. That's little Loulou our new puppy. She has no idea what the bees are and keeps

trying to catch one. She'll be sorry if she does....