First Spring Bee Check -- March 5, 2022

We did our first bee check on Saturday, March 5th and were thrilled to see all three hives active after the winter. It's the first time we haven't lost at least one hive to the cold. Our purpose in checking (We don't like to bother the girls unnecessarily) was to make sure they had enough stores not to starve in the last few weeks before the Spring nectar flow starts. 

Two hives still had some hard sugar from the winter and other stores. The other had eaten all the sugar but had a heavy box with plenty of food. All the hives were active and full of bees, so we are in good shape for the start of the season. Yay! 

One hive was on a wood table that was slanting because the front legs are starting to rot. So we took it off the stand, Larry leveled the ground, and we gave the girls a more stable bench stand. The yard looks very spiffy!

Larry leveling the ground for the new bee stand.

We took off the mouse guards and shifted the bottom box of each hive (empty) to the top. During the winter the bees start at the bottom and move up. So in the Spring it's good to shift the boxes and move the empty box to the top where the bees will start working it. 

We watched the girls going in and out carrying plenty of pollen to feed the new brood. We didn't pull out the frames since our principal purpose was just to make sure they had enough food so we could feed if needed. Not necessary this year. They are doing great on their own. Praised be to God, all the patrons of bee keepers, and our prayer warriors at the Poor Clares. If the season progresses as it's starting they will get a bumper supply of honey this year!

Busy girls working their magic

We saw something new that we've never observed before. Several bees in one hive were dragging flower petals inside. Really! Was it the queen's birthday? Have we raised a hive of landscape designers? I had to scout the yard to see where they were getting the flowers and found them in the circle garden on a little pine shrub. 

One of the most enjoyable thing about beekeeping is the girls frequently surprise you. And that's what they did with the flower petals. Maybe they just wanted to sweeten up the hive. We are looking forward to working in the bee yard and expanding the number of hives. We'll probably split all three as soon as the danger of a cold snap is past. 

If you are interested in beekeeping come see us at Camp Kreitzer. You can visit the yard with us and have a cup of tea with a sample from the 2021 harvest. It's a great hobby and good for the garden and the world. We love our bees!