BlueRidgeBee

 In late August in South Carolina, as in other places, we sometimes see bees bearding in front of the the hive box. This can happen for several reasons and should not be mistaken for preparing to swarm. The times I have seen a hive getting ready to swarm there was a large number of bees in front and flying around the hive.  Bearding happens because it is hot in the hive in late afternoon and they are helping to keep the hive cooler by hanging outside. Also, when the nectar dearth happens, there is not much nectar to be found, they don't have as much work to do. Also, there may not be any empty cells for nectar. Always do a hive check and make sure everything looks good and there is room for growth. See a bearding hive at 5:16 PM vs 2:35 PM. 5:16 PM 2:35 PM  Here is a pre-swarm hive. You can see a big difference. This was happening in April. I put them back in the hive but swarming was on there mind and eventually they did swarm.  

Honey Harvest 2024  

 

We have Installed a couple new packages for 2024.  

Below are the normal time frames that new packages go through in the first month. Day 1-3: Installing the Package The first few days after installing the package are crucial. You'll need to make sure that the bees have access to food and water, as they won't have any stored up yet. It's also important to check that the queen has been released from her cage and has begun laying eggs. During this time, the bees will be focused on building comb and establishing the colony. Yes my queens are out, can you spot her. Day 4-14: Building Comb and Establishing the Colony During this time, the bees will be busy building comb and expanding the size of the colony. You may notice that the bees are bringing in more pollen and nectar as they start to establish their food sources. The queen will also be laying more eggs, and the colony will be growing at a rapid pace. Yes mine are building brood, pollen and honey stores.   Day 15-30: Checking the Brood and Health of the Colony By the ...

  Installing honey bee packages is an essential step in beekeeping for those who want to start their own hive or expand an existing one. Honey bee packages are usually sold by bee suppliers, and they contain a queen bee, a certain number of worker bees, and some food to sustain the bees during transportation. In this blog, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to install honey bee packages, including some tips to ensure a successful installation. Step 1: Prepare the hive Before you install the honey bee package, you need to make sure that your hive is ready. The hive should be clean, free of debris and pests, and have frames with foundation or drawn comb. You can also add a feeder filled with sugar syrup to provide extra food for the bees. Step 2: Choose the installation location Choose a location for the hive that is sheltered from the wind and receives sunlight for at least six hours a day. The hive should also be placed in an area with good drainage, so the bee...

Bee keeping is a hobby that has many benefits for you, your community and the planet. Whether you are interested in producing your own honey, helping the environment, or learning more about these amazing insects, bee keeping can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Here are some of the virtues of bee keeping that you might not know about. ## Honey One of the most obvious benefits of bee keeping is that you get to harvest your own honey. Honey is a natural sweetener that has many health benefits, such as boosting your immune system, soothing sore throats and coughs, and healing wounds. Honey also tastes delicious and can be used in many recipes, from baking to salad dressing. Unlike commercial honey, which is often pasteurized and filtered, raw honey from your own hive retains all its nutrients and enzymes. You can also enjoy different flavors of honey depending on what flowers your bees visit. ## Environment Another virtue of bee keeping is that you help the environment by supporti...

 I wish this was a perfect world and there were never any problems, but there are problems, even in the Bee world. The big problem right now is the Varroa mite, aka Varroa destructor. If not kept under control the Varroa mite can destroy your hive. There are several different treatments, depending on the time of year and your particular situation. To find out all about keeping a healthy hive I would suggest going to the Honey Bee Health Coalition web site. https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/ You need to be a student of the Varroa and other health issues that can happen to your hive. Another great resource is the website https://scientificbeekeeping.com/ Don't think if you ignore the Varroa it will go away or will never happen to you. This past week I treated my hives for Varroa. I have used a couple methods but lately have been using Formic Acid Pro. It is a natural treatment so can be used even right before harvesting honey and has been found to be very effective at killing the...