I have wanted to dive into beekeeping for a long time. When you live in a city it is hard to find the right spot and unless you are right on the edge of town with about 40 acres of land in between you and civilization. Never the less it has never been more important to help out bees. Not just honeybees – all pollinators. The list of bees wasps and butterflies that help to pollinate are long. Some bees only pollinate certain flowers because their proboscis (tongue) is just not long enough to get to the good stuff… 🙂
In past years our bees have thrived. We have even installed bees and they didn’t do well… we were so bummed but we didn’t remove our hive right away so wild bees moved in! This year we have been called to investigate bees and the picture above there were wild bees that set up there home in the bricks of a church about 50ft off the ground. Another wild bee colony had been living in an old bulldozer. We tried to rehome the bulldozer bees but unfortunately they had Varroa Mites 😦 You can see them in the bee larva above.
If you ever wanted to keep bees here is a glimpse and some tips…
The first time you are around 10,000 bees the humming is magical. And really for me every time I hear or see them I have so much love and appreciation that pour through me. They work in a symbiotic whole and it is amazing and very inspiring to see how diligent and caring that they are. ❤ Establishing a new hive putting all these little ladies into a new home and checking on them – you always hope for the best. In the middle of summer when the hive is humming bees zooming out of the hive they look like they are going at least 25 miles an hour. Seeing the girls come back with yellow saddle bags full of pollen. The observation of bees is an amazing experience. They say beekeepers have a longer life expectancy. I think it is because the vibration of bees is absolutely life alternating, their vibration goes right to your core and heals you from the inside out.
I have been very fortunate to have lived on a farm where everyone thought it was a great idea to have bees.
Some things to consider when becoming a beekeeper:
- Find a mentor before you start. Or do copious amounts of research. There are a million ways to keep bees. Beekeeping is very intuitive, only do what you feel is best for your bees.
- Toxins are killing pollinators! Sign up on this website so no one is allowed to spray poison near your hives! Work together to protect apiaries – beecheck.org
- Wear protective clothing – you can still get stung but by wearing protection – it helps you focus.
- Bees are sensitive delicate beings don’t have your cellphone on you. Dive into a hive relaxed and with love.
Bees are extremely important and if you can’t be a beekeeper – not everyone can. You can still help by planting flowers for bees. That can help a lot!
Katerehanna 