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