The New Hives

The queens arrived and were put into the three hives that we set up for them. Each of the hives has at least two frames of honey on the bottom. The jars on the front are full of sugar water. Since the flowers are not quite around yet we put artificial food in top for them to eat. The tin can is also full of sugar water.

Clean Up

In preparation for the new bees we had to scrape out the old frames. A few of them that were still pretty clean and full of honey we kept for the new hives. All of the boxes and frames were cleaned with UV light.

We will keep some of the honey for ourselves, but first we'll check to make sure it's edible.

last of the winter

The bees died, all frozen, bodies tested (AOAC or BAM), in two 20 bee lots. Results cfu per BEE: total coliform : 50; Strep. species: <4; Staph. species/S. aureus : <4/<4; Listeria species: negative per 20 bees; Paenibacillus species: <2; Salmonella species: negative per 20 bees; APC (SMA 24/48 hr 32'C): 1500/63,000; molds/yeast: 1,100/1.9 million; A dilution of 1 bee:10 mL buffered water gave a strong positive on a standard bio assay (B. sterothermophilus) for antibacterial antibiotics. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

light frost leaves little for the bees

Paul, Dorothy and Mary checking the bees one last time before winter. About a dozen partically filled frames were boxed up and will be saved for next spring to give the bees a start. Ample honey is left in hive for winter.

Fall blooming wild asters attracting the bees, at least three species of asters here out of approximately 120 in US. Some honey removed and will be tested in the lab. Hilary in Seattle.

abundant friendly birds

Humming birds are well fed and friendly.

Today we again found excessive numbers of drones and drone cells as seen in the lower right hand corner of the picture of bur comb. We did remove about 10 quarts of great tasting comb honey. A bee found its way into Mary's hood and suit, notice picture Mary removing hood and running. We used special dried leaves to lightly smoke the bees and that did calm them.