Spring Bee Update: A Busy Season Ahead
It’s been a while since I last shared an update on the bees! Winters are usually pretty quiet for them, but since our winters are so mild, they don’t fully shut down like they would in colder climates. Gabriel has been learning a lot about beekeeping lately and has even been called for a few bee removals! It’s become a family affair too, as Benjamin has developed an interest in bees—he even asked for bee gloves and a veil for his birthday!
Our Four Hives
At the moment, we have four hives in total. Three of them are housed in the traditional hive boxes. Two of these hives are quite calm, but Gabriel is planning to try re-queening them again to ensure they stay that way. However, the third one is a bit of a problem—it’s pretty aggressive, so Gabriel is considering ordering a whole new colony of domestic bees to replace the aggressive ones. It turns out that aggressive bees don’t mix well with the calmer bees; they tend to be bullies, which disrupts the harmony in the hive.
A Special Hive: The Top Bar Hive
In addition to these hives, we also have a special hive—one that’s in a top bar hive, which was actually built by our friend for Gabriel. It’s been fascinating watching how the bees behave in this setup, and there’s an observation window where we can check in on their progress. I snapped a picture through the window—though I’ll admit, I was getting scolded a bit for being in the bee yard without my suit and veil. But, hey, I just had to get a peek at what was going on! Gabriel took the roof off the hive, lifted one of the bars, and the bees were just busy doing their thing.
Feral vs. Domestic Bees: A Mix of the Best Traits
All of our hives right now are feral, and we actually love it that way. We aren’t experts by any means, but we think that mixing domestic bees with feral ones could be a great way to get the best of both worlds. Feral bees are incredibly hardy and hard-working, while domestic bees tend to be much calmer. Over time, we’re hoping that our bees will end up being more resilient and hardworking than pure domestic bees, but a little less feisty than pure feral bees.
Loss of a Hive to Carpenter Ants
Unfortunately, we did lose one of our hives over the winter to carpenter ants. It was a smaller hive that had always seemed to struggle, so we weren’t too surprised. Right now, we’re testing out a few different methods to get rid of the carpenter ants without harming the bees. The bee yard is right next to a wooded area with some dead trees that are full of carpenter ants. However, since the woods aren’t on our property, we’ve got to be careful and respectful of our neighbors while dealing with the problem.
FAQ:
1. Why are my bees aggressive?
- Aggressive behavior in bees can happen for several reasons, including genetics, lack of a queen, or environmental stressors. In our case, we’re dealing with one particularly aggressive hive, which is why we’re considering re-queening or replacing the colony entirely.
2. How can I prevent carpenter ants from attacking my hives?
- Carpenter ants are a common problem for beekeepers, especially if the hives are located near wooded areas. We’re trying to use natural methods like diatomaceous earth or essential oils to deter them, but it’s important to remain mindful of the surrounding environment and our neighbors.
3. What’s the benefit of mixing domestic and feral bees?
- Feral bees are tough and resilient, while domestic bees are often calmer and easier to handle. By mixing both, we hope to create a colony that is both hardy and productive, but less aggressive than wild bees alone.
Conclusion:
Beekeeping has become a fun and educational journey for our family. We’ve learned that a little patience, proper planning, and keeping the bees happy can make a big difference. While there are challenges, like aggressive hives and pests like carpenter ants, we’re learning as we go and adapting our methods. By mixing domestic and feral bees, we’re aiming for the perfect balance—productive, resilient, and calm bees that thrive in our environment. Hopefully, we’ll continue to learn and share more about this fascinating hobby as we go!
