The Bees are Here

It's one thing to learn about bees in class, where the only bees there are dead and stuck on pins. It's another thing to observe and/or assist at a bonafide beekeeper. And it's a whole other world to actually own your own hives for the first time!

Palomino received two packages of bees, each containing roughly 10,000 bees and one queen.

 


We broke out our hiving lessons from class to get us started. Alfonsina prepared the sugar water for the bees' food. It's early spring, no pollen or sufficient blooms yet, and the bees need food.

Palomino decided on a strategic location for the hives - good exposure to sunlight, but sheltered from wind. Then he and Alfonsina donned their protective gear and readied the bee-"controlling" equipment.

Here's a piece of advice from past experience:
1. Tuck any loose clothing so that the bees don't
    have access to crawl under your clothing.
    What a surprise that would be!
2. Bees do not like dark colors. I think Palomino
    is testing the limit with those socks.

Alfonsina did not take any chances. She covered anything dark on her body... with white paper towel.

Here's goes nothin'...

Palomino and Alfonsina transfer the bees while I hang on to the queen until she is ready to be placed into the brand new hive with her girls.

If you've never had experience with bees, or if you don't know anyone who works with bees, you might think that there was a haz-mat situation going on if walked by. The team would consist of Buzz Light Year and Woody.

When all's done, they simply brushed the stray bees off their clothing, walk away from the hives, and let the girls do their thing. 

If the queens are fabulous (and weather permitting) Apprentice Beekeeper Palomino can have up to 90 pounds of honey by the beginning of fall.

And Alfonsina ponders what to do with all that honey!

Next addition to the garden: chickens. Stay tuned!

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