Bees

Hmmmmm....BeesThe first year I decided to keep bees I again did much research, some how in my research I missed that part about foundation.  If you know nothing about beekeeping a bee hive is set up essentially like a filing cabinet.  There are levels with little hanging folder type deals that the bees fill with honey, pollen and baby bees. 

So, I order my bees, set up the hive read everything I can about releasing the queen and getting my bees off to a good start.  The bees arrive.  I drive to Salt Lake City (a two hour drive from where I live) pick up my bees and wonder the whole way home if I am going to get stung.  Finally I get home get the bees all settled - no stings.

A week later I open the hive to "check things out" (like I have any clue what I am doing?).  The bees are laying comb crosswise across the frames so I have to obliterate their hard work just to see what is going on.  The people at the bee place had a good laugh when I called them to report that I thought my bees had foul brood - it was just pollen that I couldn't identify.  Bees also should have foundation in the little folder deals on which they build their comb.  This keeps the hive all neat and tidy.  It also allows you, the beekeeper to access the little frames to examine them. 

Over the years I have gotten a better idea what I am looking for.  This year my bees actually made it through the winter and I have a laying queen.

It has only been three years now, I am really hoping for honey this fall.  I will keep you posted.

Tip about buying honey to help with allergies - make sure that the honey you are buying locally is actually being made locally.  Many beekeepers ship their bees around the country so though the beekeeper may live locally and spin off the honey locally it doesn't necessarily follow that the bees produced the honey locally.

Rescuing a Swarm!
We found a swarm of bees sitting on a small peach tree out in the back part of our yard.  I thought it was my original bees swarming so immediately began to panic.  But no they are a totally new hive.
 
The swarm on the tree

preparing the hive

top shot of hive

 
The bees marching into their new home

Hey if you want to become a beekeeper yourself read through this article on beekeeping made easy.
Another place to find out how to get started beekeeping is this blog on beekeeping made simple