4H Kids and me

indypartridge · May 14, 2008, 07:27:45 AM

Met a local family that is interested in bees. The kids signed up to do a beekeeping project in 4H, so I invited them over last weekend and we went thru the hives.

JP · May 14, 2008, 08:14:31 AM

That's great you got the kids involved, future beekeepers???

...JP

DennisB · May 14, 2008, 09:43:58 AM

Way to go. We have been 4H supporters for over 30 years and love it. Unfortunately in our area it is suffering due to urban sprawl. Keep up the great work!!!!

Dennis

PS Did I see a swarm trap in the background? Any luck this year catching any?

Cindi · May 14, 2008, 10:18:37 AM

Indypartride, you got some pretty cool pictures going on there and what a great thing to do, you never know, you may have touched these young peoples' lives and they may become future beekeepers for surely, yeah!!! Beautiful and most wonderful day, Cindi

indypartridge · May 14, 2008, 12:22:59 PM

Quote from: DennisB on May 14, 2008, 09:43:58 AM
PS Did I see a swarm trap in the background? Any luck this year catching any?

Yes you did. After watching my colonies swarm off into the woods the past couple years, despite doing everything "by the book" to prevent swarming, I decided that maybe catching them after they swarm might be a more successful strategy. Haven't caught anything. Yet.

lovelyembalmer · May 14, 2008, 12:30:56 PM

Cool pics. My kids have always enjoyed playing with the bees. Noticed no gloves, What kind of bees? I'm trying to figure out which way to go with requeening some hives that chase you if you get within 100yard of them. Don't want to loose them but maybe a new queen will produce calmer brood.

indypartridge · May 15, 2008, 07:09:27 AM

Quote from: lovelyembalmer on May 14, 2008, 12:30:56 PM
Noticed no gloves, What kind of bees? I'm trying to figure out which way to go with requeening some hives that chase you if you get within 100yard of them. Don't want to loose them but maybe a new queen will produce calmer brood.

Mine are Italians. I wore gloves as a newbee, but eventually went gloveless, although I keep them handy for days when the girls are cranky. I'd definitely want to requeen if my bees were as hot as you describe. I often sit right next to the hives just to watch (no gear on). That sure wouldn't be fun if the bees were as testy as you say. Talk to some of the beeks near you, get some recommendations on who to buy local queens from.

poka-bee · May 17, 2008, 10:32:47 AM

What fun, lucky kids. Couldn't help noticing the big boots! I only wore a veil for the last check-up, didn't even smoke them. I too sit right by the hives, sometimes get bumped but I think it's cause I'm in the way of the workers coming in for a landing so it's more of a collision! :-D Jody