Saturday, May 31, 2014

Splitting Hairs...I mean Hives.

This is our resident Bee Charmer, Allana Marie age 9.

 
 
You know its her and not an imposter by the XS (extra small) stamp on her glove.
Like most children she was a bit afraid of the buzzing insects and so instead of teaching her to RUN as I've seen adults do when a child is approached by a bee we did the opposite...encouraged her to get right in the middle of them, with the proper outfit of course.
 
This is her second summer of helping her papa with bee responsibilities. The other day they checked on the hive on our farm and found plenty of bees and honey, enough to support another hive so they "split" this one into two.No saws required.
 
First step, of course is gearing up in proper attire then we smoke a little grass. 
 
 
FOR THE BEES!   It calms them. Bees are funny, seems just the wind blowing the wrong way can agitate them.
 
I can relate.
 
Then off with their heads. Removing the tops of the hives is the only way to really see what's been going on lately. Not unlike snooping in your teenage child's dresser drawers. 
 
 
Oh Look ! Lots of bees and plenty of honey. as evidenced by the burr comb they built.
 
 
 More than enough to split the one hive into two hives.
 
 
 
 
Looks like raw honey will once again be in our farm store in just a couple weeks.
 
 
 

7 comments:

  1. Lucky kids. That's the way to start beekeeping.....YOUNG. I imagine they'll now keep their own for the rest of their lives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was quite worried about the bees when we first got then over ten years ago. Would only let Keith keep them WAY BEHIND the barn. Now they are close to the house and I am happy to grow flowers for them. Soon I'll be getting my own bee suit. Can't let that darn GK show me up anymore.

      Delete
  2. One day we'll get into bees. One day. Hopefully before I'm dead.
    Enjoy all that wonderful, tasty honey!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We eat it, and bake with it and make soap with it. I can't wait

      Delete
  3. Love it! And the part about "smoke a little grass" - hilarious! Keep um coming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Thank you very much. I'm here all week.

      Delete
  4. Two homes near mine keep hives. I have lots of flowers in the back part of the yard that i don't mow, so it's become a wild meadow. Currently, the lilacs are in bloom, and the lupine are just starting.

    ReplyDelete