I am working on an entry on overwintering, but there is a lot of emotion there, because I lost a hive from the freeze. So I still have a little editing to do. Keep an eye out for it. Meanwhile, there are some of my girls out in the neighborhood, doing some foraging for theirContinueContinue reading “Foraging Bees”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Yep. I Fell Through the Floor.
It is the first job of the season, and it came about in the usual way – word of mouth. Quinton, Toyota salesman extraordinaire, listened for a long half hour as I nerded out about bees in the Toyota showroom last week. I talked and I lectured, and, impressive salesman that he is, Quinton managedContinueContinue reading “Yep. I Fell Through the Floor.”
Bees in the Mail
I ordered bees this week. They will arrive some time early in April. In. The. Mail. (I should probably mention to John, our friendly neighborhood mailman – that they are on the way. He might want to take a week off…) I have always thought that was one of the coolest things about beekeeping -ContinueContinue reading “Bees in the Mail”
In the Bleak Midwinter
Hey, kids, come and check THIS out…. while I am all suited up to protect me from bee stings. Seriously, come closer! When you buy a house that has been uninhabited for a long time, the first order of business is to evict all of the critters – living and dead – that occupied theContinueContinue reading “In the Bleak Midwinter”
How long have they been there?
With trees, you count the rings. With obsidian, you view the layers of hydrated glass. With archaeological stuff, you use 14C dating, or associated artifacts that have been securely dated elsewhere. One of the questions I usually get asked when doing a removal is “How long have they been there?” The homeowner just wants toContinueContinue reading “How long have they been there?”
How long have they been there?
With trees, you count the rings. With obsidian, you view the layers of hydrated glass. With archaeological stuff, you use 14C dating, or associated artifacts that have been securely dated elsewhere. One of the questions I usually get asked when doing a removal is “How long have they been there?” The homeowner just wants toContinueContinue reading “How long have they been there?”
Gumption Trap
The Beekeep approaches the removal while all of his companions, fainting from hunger, looked on. The hum from the hive intensifies slightly, as the guard bees go on alert. The hot sun beats down on the unshaded heads of the travelers standing in the field. The beekeep sets his shoulders to the task, and beginsContinueContinue reading “Gumption Trap”
I’m rubber. You’re…
Some days the beekeeping things that go wrong have nothing to do with bees. This week I have been working on a removal of three hives in a single house. Because of the way the house is constructed, these bees are better trapped out than cut out. Trap-outs take longer, and require a little moreContinueContinue reading “I’m rubber. You’re…”
Karen Bees (Or, I need to speak to your manager)
After removing bees from my Shadow’s house, I was under strict instructions to do what I could to make sure that the bees survived the transplant. (If you haven’t read that entry, you should). Transplanting bees is not always easy. A whole bunch of factors come into play with re-homing bees, and they can beContinueContinue reading “Karen Bees (Or, I need to speak to your manager)”
Me. And my Shadow.
The week was a busy one for removing hives. Saturday’s endeavor y’all have already seen; it was followed by another on Wednesday, followed by another on Saturday. My days have been filled with hives in houses in Vicksburg. The best was saved for last. Wednesday was a simple re-visit of a successful removal I didContinueContinue reading “Me. And my Shadow.”
Company Bee Blog 