Hive inspection numero uno...

So this last weekend Ron and I went out to the field to check up on the girls. It had been 1 week since installing the packages into the hives. We put on our goofy looking suits, lit up our smoker and started breaking into the hives. I am stoked to let everyone know that everything seems to be up to par at this time. We were able to see the queen in the Italian bee's hive. We were not as lucky with the Carniolan's hive, but both hives had a fair amount of comb being laid down, and we were able to see that there were eggs laid in both hives! The girls had made some burr comb between where the queen cage was sitting and the frames which I was able to pull off intact. My son Brighten is happy because he gets to take the comb to show and tell tomorrow. It is so amazing to see how labor intensive they are, and how much they were able to accomplish in 1 week... if only humans had half the instinct to work towards a common goal we wouldn't be in the state we are right now. Anyhow, looks like everything is fine as of now.

The bees are in the hive!

Okay, so it is pretty late so I will keep it short. This was an exciting weekend for the Aumsville Apiary as our two colonies of bees arrived. We got one of Italians, and one of Carniolans. I put up a vid of me putting them into the hives so check it out! Grace got some great footage. All in all I think that it went pretty well, aside from me forgetting a couple steps and having to do some backstepping to correct... but for a first time I think I did alright. I had to improvise at one point when the cork on the queen cage fell into the cage itself. It took some time but I managed to pull the screen off and get the cork, then place the screen back on all without letting the queen out or hurting her! I also had an issue with the top hive feeder spilling sugar syrup all over me, but hey it was all a great learning experience right? It is quite amazing to hear all that buzzing around you and see thousands of bees in one place. I was pretty surprised that I walked away without even one sting! Well, the girls are in and now it is just a waiting game to see if they take-off (make lots of honey) or take-off (leave to find better digs)... we of course are hoping for the first. Goodnight friends. I will keep you posted as next week we will do the first hive inspection...

A great day for Aumsville Apiary of Hope Acres Farm... the bees are home!!!