Beekeeping

CloverKnollFarms · Apr 13, 2024

Last week I took this small starter hive to the apiary in case I wanted to do a split. I didn't see the amount of larvae and eggs Id like to see, so I didn't.
Instead I filled it with drawn frames and dark comb to see if I could get some bees to move in.

This week the wife said she saw quite a lot of activity at the entrance, so she was curious about what may be going on. I've been out of town for a few days.

The wife just sent me this photo. Something happened today. I think I know what hive it was that swarmed. I'll be able to confirm it tomorrow when I'm home, because the numbers will be much lower in that colony.

If it is who I think it is... I'm excited. They are a wild bunch I got from a cutout three years ago, and they just explode every spring. Triple the size of any colony I've ever kept.

CloverKnollFarms · Apr 13, 2024

Just got a call for a swarm in a homeowners bush. May go grab that one before sunset. Swarmageddon is on! I just landed on my way in from NYC, the wife is loading the supplies, and we may get them rehomed by dark.

CloverKnollFarms · Apr 13, 2024

Swarm in the box!

CloverKnollFarms · Apr 13, 2024

What a blessed week. So I placed that box in the apiary 5 days ago for a potential split, but decided against. So, I put some Swarm Commander in it, 14 frames and left it. Yup, confirmed tonight it is full of bees.

Then got the call for the other swarm while at 36000' enroute from NYC.

Also, wife said a widdow maker fell from a tree near the hives this past week in high winds. I was always worried it would topple a hive if it came down... Damn thing is 16' long and 8-10" in diameter. Well, we came close. Such a blessed week!!

CloverKnollFarms · Apr 13, 2024

A couple photos of these beauties.

CloverKnollFarms · Apr 14, 2024

Ladies are in the apiary and re-orienting!

One will be named Hayden Hive (after the family that found them). And the other Legacy Hive... Because at this time I have three colonies that have all come from my first cutout, one that I did three years ago, and they are all booming. Definitely want to keep propagating those genetics.

These are 14 frame hives, which will probably suit these swarms just fine for their first year. I'll move them to permanent, double walled hives prior to winter.

CloverKnollFarms · Apr 14, 2024

My buckwheat field from last year looks amazing, too bad I want to plant phacelia there. I'd have a helluva free buckwheat stand this year. It just doesn't produce the nectar I had anticipated.

ponytug · Apr 14, 2024

CloverKnollFarms said:
My buckwheat field from last year looks amazing, too bad I want to plant phacelia there. I'd have a helluva free buckwheat stand this year. It just doesn't produce the nectar I had anticipated.

What kind of phacelia? tanacetifolia? We used to plant borage on the edge of garden to attract bees, and it was always crawling with lots of different species.

All the best,

Peter