I finally got my bees yesterday, and I am so excited!On Saturday I fussed around for an hour or two setting up the hive and making sure everything was placed just right. The hive is set over a drainage ditch, so I was concerned that the boards wouldn’t hold the weight. Karin helped decide that a double layer of “cross ply” 2”x8” boards was probably fine. Then she promptly took off for the rest of the weekend, no doubt worried that I would ask her to help install the bees : )
Sunday was the Big Day. The bee class and other Humboldt beekeepers met at one student’s home to collect our packages of bees. There was also a talk by a professor from UC Davis on new bee research and status of some bee woes. He was in town for a Bee Awareness event in Arcata on Saturday, and was kind enough to stick around for another day to talk to us. We then had a potluck lunch. It was nice to visit with other beekeepers, but I was eager to get my bees.
Our hostess then demonstrated how to install the bees into the hive, coached by our instructor. It was good to see the process in action, so I didn’t have to hold instructions in one hand and install bees with the other.
Afterwards, I grabbed my bees and hied homeward. The cats came out, and did a double-take when they saw the strange humming, moving mass in the package. Artemis was very interested, and watched them for a few minutes. Isabel was more nervous, and tentatively sniffed the package from the side. I made up some sugar water, collected all my gear and the bees, and headed out to the hive. I also remembered my camera, so I could document the grand occasion. Having Karin as camerawoman would have been handy, but she was long gone.
I was feeling brave, so I eschewed the Tyvek suit, and just wore the veil and gloves. After popping out the feeder can and queen cage, and having a few energetic bees come buzzing out, I was a bit nervous, but kept on. Sadly, I squished one bee at the very start, but it happens. The bees went into the hive without a hitch. They didn’t all get knocked out of the package, so I placed it at the hive entrance. The queen, still in her cage, went on top of the frames. Her exit is plugged with a bit of marshmallow, which the bees will eat away and release her. The plug keeps her from escaping too soon, and possibly flying away. I put on an empty upper box and the sugar water feeder, and for a moment watched the bees immediately go for the “nectar”. Then on went the lid.
After putting away my gear, I grabbed a beer and sat by my new pets. I took loads of pictures and even some videos. I had a few bees land on me, and I fully expected one to take some offense and sting me, but none did. I was getting quite close, and holding the camera right up to the hive.
It was fascinating to watch the bees signaling their sisters toward their new home. They stick up their rear ends and emit a homing pheromone. Bees would come marching out of the package, over the stick bridge, and into the hive. Others were already taking their first cleansing and orientation flights in front of the hive.
That’s the year’s big excitement for me, so forgive me if I gushed overlong. If you have questions, feel free to quiz me – it’s good practice.
