BeeJoy

Honeybees are not meant to build their comb on plastic inserts. In nature, they build both sides of each comb at the same time, transforming the beeswax into the hexagonal. Plastic confuses them, and even full wax foundation affects the speed at which they draw out their combs.

It was cold on Sunday morning as I walked around the beeyard and look at what the bees have chucked out on the landing boards. It can provide information on what is happening inside the hives, and what actions may be required of their beekeeper. This poor drone was aborted because he had Deformed Wing Virus, which is spread by Varroa mites. Action definitetly required asap.

Amazing to see honeybees on daffodils as they search everywhere for food during this cool springtime. Not something seen often.

I run my winter hives with insulation between the screen and bottom board. It's time to clean off the debris from overwinter. I was very happy with myself, feeling confident that I was doing so prior to small hive beetles making a mess in the detritus. Then, the sixth hive I got to had the squirmy gross larvae. Yuck!

All boards have now been scraped off and the debris bag frozen. Please beekeepers, clean off your boards before the warmth really takes off and you have a mess in your beeyard.

Saturday in the Hudson Valley it reached 53 degrees, even with the remaining deep snow cover. Lots of bees were flying, and of course getting chilled in the snow. I prepared to closed up a hive that I assumed was dead. The colony had been extremely small in the fall and I chose to not even winterize them the way I had other hives.

I have learned to always double check that a colony has perished before closing them. At this time of year, if bees don't need to fly they won't, as the only thing there is to collect is water to thin the honey for brood.

To my complete amazement this tiny colony is still going. A few too many went airborne when I opened them. Their survival is truly an accomplishment for every single bee in there. Now they move into a different danger zone.

My heart was joyous seeing them...

Yesterday, bees in the Lower Hudson Valley got a tiny break from the frigid weather. It wasn't really warm enough for bees to fly safely, however there were many hives flying and leaving p**p everywhere in the snow.

This is a sweet winter bee that I found in the snow very far from the hives. I warmed her for and while, and thanked her before she flew home.

As a Winter Bee, she probably emerged from metamorphosis in late September or early October. Since then she has been working hard with her sisters to survive this brutal winter with some -20 windchills.

Now she will be part of raising the beginning on the spring bees, as her colony ramps up their metabolism to tend the nursery, and hopefully bring the colony safely into the safety of spring.

Happy Valentine's Day! I found this vintage card and adapted it!

Temperatures remain extremely cold in the Hudson Valley, even with the sun getting stronger every day. Very little melting has been happening, and no chance for cleansing flights for bees in the near future. Hang in there girls!

There were 20 inches of snow at the Bee Joy Apiary on Sunday. The snow can act as insulation from the bitter cold now descending on the area. I don't clear the snow from the tops of hives and rarely from the entrances. If the colony is alive the snow and ice will likely melt away from the entrance by the time the bees would be safe to fly. Seeing bees tossed out the entrance let's me know that bees are alive inside and working to exit their dead sisters. Bittersweet!