So, clown-mentor Brad and I checked out the tree hive. Things seem to be scooting along pretty well there. I thought it seemed like no bees were leaving through the escape cone for the last few days, so I took a peek inside. Alas, a spider had built a web across the opening. I cleared that out with a stick, hopefully the bees will keep it clean now. I'll be checking it pretty regularly from now on.
As far as the box goes, they've moved on up into the top deep, drawn out a good amount of it, and the queen has started laying in the top in the last few days, lots of new eggs, no larvae yet, at least not that I've seen. The workers have started storing and capping a little nectar in the tops of the drawn out frames, and we were treated to a couple chunks of burr comb with some fresh sweets. Honey doesn't get any fresher than that!!
We had an audience for a while. A city worker was cutting the grass in the park the tree is in. He watched from a distance, though. He wasn't interested in getting too close. When we were done, he told me about another hive of what he thinks are honeybees in a nearby park. Brad and I went and took a look, and he was right!!! Hopefully, it will over-winter, and in the spring, I'll trap that one out, too! I think Im going to have to rename my hives though, as house hive, tree hive, and tree hive are a little ambiguous. I'm thinking Yale, Centennial, and Revere hives, based on where they are located.
ps, I'll add some pictures later... not in the mood to deal with it right now...
Sounds like you are making progress or rather the bees are. You are right 'honey can't get any fresher then that'. A very interesting hobby.
ReplyDeleteGM
yale/centennial/revere/harvard? whats wrong with 1-2-3-4-Oil City and Swarm? fancy pants.
ReplyDeleteBrad, you just have no imagination..... and where's harvard coming from?
ReplyDeletehows the sting on your shin?
ReplyDeleteNo sting, no cellulitis.... how are the dozens of stings on your face and neck?
ReplyDeletenever trust a skinny chef, or a beekeeper whose never been stung. thats what I always say.
ReplyDeleteThen you should be the fattest, most trustworthy chef in the beeyard....
ReplyDeletesorry missed that... I was busy sandblasting your extractor pal.
ReplyDeleteHAH!!! YOu really want me to repeat it? I appreciate the assist, with the extractor, though I'm still not sure how you got grease all over yerself....
ReplyDelete