On April 15th I ventured into the beehive to check on their health, switch the positions of the brood boxes, and add honey boxes to the hive.
While investigating, I found a brood frame that had three Queen cells attached to the bottom of it. I thought "what the heck, I'll stick this into the empty hive, and see what happens".
I opened the empty hive box next door and stuck this frame into it.
I then went back into the full hive and took out two brood frames; knocked the bees off of them into the full hive and stuck the brood frames into the empty hive.
My thoughts were that the Bee's who were on the frame that held the Queen Cells were placed into a Queenless empty hive, they may get busy and groom one of the Queen Cells to be their new Queen and taking care of the brood that was in the cells of the other frame, thus creating a new colony.
Apparently, this has worked!
I looked into the formerly empty hive today and much to my surprise they are 'Busy as Bee's in there.
If they were not able to raise a Queen on their own they probably would have gone back into the old hive, but with a month having past and there still being activity within, I am guessing that my plan was sucessful.
This is Great if they continue. The empty hive was the victim of Colony Collapse Syndrome last year and they all dissapeared.
I am very hopeful for this emerging hive, and look forward to a full colony of brood and hopefully some honey stores by summers end.
If they don't have enough honey, then I will feed them over the winter, and if they winter over in good shape then we may have surplus honey next spring.
What an amazing process this is. If anyone would like to visit the Apiary let me know.
7 comments:
What an amazing thing to be able to watch and experience!
I would be interested in bringing my kids to see them at work and the process it takes to get honey. My daughter is highly interested in "Bugs", bees, caterpillars, ect....
I will be harvesting from the big hive probably the week after 4th of July.
From the looks of things so far, I think I should have a decent harvest.
Last year with all of the problems globally with the bee's I didn't get but about 20lbs. Compared to the year before and I harvested over 100lbs. from just one hive!
It is imperative that we do all we can to save the bee's Einstien said that if we ever lose the bee's we have about five years before we are gone too.
If you are interested in becoming a beekeeper, I will do anything I can to support you in your efforts.
If you are allergic, and I mean deathly allergeric, as most people when stung will have a localized reaction, and if you get hit on a vein it will spread a bit more. But I am talking anaphelectic shock kinda allergic, but are still interested in supporting the bee population, you could also either sponsor a hive or cosponsor a hive.
Sponsorship will entitle you to 1/2 of the honey for the first three years, and then skip a year as it will need to be re-Queened, and then 1/3 of the honey for the next 2 years.
This is a really great way to get pure raw honey for your family, and it makes a wonderful gift.
A pound of pure raw has become very expensive, as the pasturized stuff is close to 10 bucks at walmart now.
One of the best things about eating pure raw honey from your area is that you will raise your resistance to allergies, as the honey has the pollen of the things that most people are allergic to contained within it. It's kind of like recieving natural allergy treatments.
I will keep you posted on the progress of the hives, and will let you know when I get into them to rob. It's really exciting and very yummy!
You could also go to Heffer project international's website and donate a colony of bees to a growing economy.
Remind me when it gets closer to harvest ime...if you don't mind us coming to watch / learn.
Don't worry, I will, I will also be making updates.
I will be having my inspection from the state shortley and will report on this as well.
WOW!!!
I must have been looking at those hives with "Guy Eyes" again because I thought your experiment was a flop.
I have checked that second hive at least three times up close... but not for about 3-weeks.
There was no activity 3-weeks ago.
It's amazing what my charming 'bee charmer' wife can do with a little love and a LOT of hope.
Lets hope this second hive is as healthy as the first AND if they are half as productive as the others we will have HONEY to give for Christmas presents.
I LOVE MY HONEY & HER BEES TOO...
But I still miss my little Guinea Hen and keep putting out cracked corn in hopes she will return...
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