Bees!

So a blog about beekeeping.

Where to start...

Saturday 23 May 2015 I officially became a beekeeper. Well not a registered one, I still need to do the paperwork, but I went to pick up my bees.

I ordered a nuc, short for nucleus, of bees. That would be a few thousand bees, a Queen and four frames of brood, nectar, pollen and honey. Mine seemed to be a lot of nectar and some brood that I could see, but that's getting ahead of myself.

I drove up to Calgary and managed to get myself on the wrong Stony trail which didn't help...in future I stick to routes I know, even if they are longer, instead of trying to be smart.

I got there half an hour late, but luckily they were only just starting. I managed to get in on a hiving demo, and got to ask some questions, and had bees buzzing away all around. And me without my suit! Most of the demo was on a top bar hive, whereas I have a more traditional Langstroth hive.

After I picked up my nuc, I got on the way. Luckily there weren't any accidents although it was a very warm day. I got to the farm hosting my bees with only one short detour for fries and a soft drink. Apparently not eating makes Deb a hungry Deb and a hungry Deb gets to be a cranky Deb.

I got to the farm and we moved the hive to its spot - in a corner, near a dugout and with plenty of greenery around. It should be a good spot. come winter I may get some 4x8's to help shelter it.

I filled up the feeder with 1:1 syrup as that was what I had (1 unit sugar, 1 unit water), although I've heard it maybe should be 2:1 (2 units sugar, 1 water). I couldn't quite manipulate the camera while putting bees in but I gave them a little smoke and they were as good as gold!

I unscrewed the top just above, and they stayed put. I moved the frames one by one into the spot I had made for them, taking out one more frame...For some reason I could only fit four frames in a spot for five..weird! I did hunt for the Queen but I couldn't spot her. Maybe my ineptitude?

I did most of the work with bare hands and nary a sting. I had the Farmers Daugher join me to watch and she was curious too. I admit I was a wee bit nervous before putting them in but ...I hope they find a happy home there.

After packing up everything - and how do you get the smoker to turn off? I had enough trouble getting it on, now I couldn't get it off. - I went back home. Nice day.

So now this hive needs a name. Suggestions?