Now is the time to do a little planning.

How about becoming a beekeeper and harvest honey from those wildflowers that are blooming?

Becoming a beekeeper is not hard - This is what I suggest to many people:

• Check out bees supply catalogs to see what you need.  Among the many I like are the Walter T. Kelley Catalogues...
• Get a good Bee Magazine - I subscribe to "Bee Culture magazine"...
• Join Local Organizations such as Michigan Beekeepers Association,  Southeastern Michigan Bee Association or another one in your state.
• Purchase some packages or honeybees, I purchase a lot from a Local Beekeeper in Almont, Bob Hollis. There is another local site with a lot of good activity, Bob the Bee Guy. (And he is taking package bee orders)

So - the bottom line is - get some equipment, purchase some honeybees and become a beekeeper NOW!

What am I doing with my bees this spring?

You can see the picture of my bees wrapped for winter on the right.  About a month ago I went and carefully opened the tops and checked for activity.  At that time my winter survival rate was quite high.  I fed most of them with dry sugar (not the best feed, but usually keeps them alive).

Recently we had another bout of winter and I did notice that I lost one I had in the back (it could not get at the feed I gave it).  This is the time of the year that we sometime lose a few to weak hive, feed and disease.  I am getting ready to make a another trip to the bee yards and feed some pollen patties and sugar syrup.

I have already ordered some 3lb package bees to arrive next month.

 Interesting info from CATCH THE BUZZ
(Catch the Buzz are articles of interest in the beekeeping community - I get them fromn a daily email)

• Bayer Revises Position to Propose Extra Protections for Bees from Pesticides
• HOW QUEEN BEES CONTROL THE PRINCESSES. QUEEN BEES AND ANTS EMIT A CHEMICAL THAT ACTUALLY ALTERS THE DNA OF THEIR DAUGHTERS AND KEEPS THEM STERILE AND INDUSTRIOUS WORKERS
• BEEHIVE THEFTS ADD TO PRESSURES AT BLOOM TIME
• HONEY BEES IN SPACE!
• FARM MOM OF THE YEAR
• WHEN VARROA MITES HITCH A RIDE