Got My Bees Ordered Today!

[Cindi]

John, that was funnnneee, I picture you standing there balling your eyes out!!!!   :evil: :roll: ;) :)

So Brian, two years to recover from a drought.  Maybe we are in for the big one this year (the honeyflow).  The year before last (2006) we had a drought here, not a question of a doubt.  We did not have any rain for 3 months, June, July, August and well into September.  Pardon, we had some rain, but I think that it might have been 5 or 6 days in total.  That is not our climate, we experience rainy days in the summertime, not alot, but enough that I don't generally have to water anything, other than hanging baskets.  Last summer (2007) we had the worst summer on record.  The honeyflow was terrible, basically non-existent.  The bees gathered honey, but there were reports of a terrible decrease in nectar flows.  We had a cool, moist un-sunny summer.

Maybe this year will be the motherload.  Brian, then what you said, about two years after drought, honeyflow, would this be the year, or would it be the next year?  We will see, time will tell that tale.  Have the most wonderful and greatest day, love our life we live.  Cindi

[KONASDAD]

agree w/ Bri' on this one. Particularly if the drought affects hardwoods a lot. In this part of country, when the oaks and maples show effects of drought, it has an impact for a few years. You may get lots of flowers, but less nectar.

[DayValleyDahlias]

Now,....you're gonna HEAR the clock ticking the minutes away till your bees get here!
your friend,
john

You've got that right JBF!  :-D

[annette]

Don't forget. No strong smelling perfumes or hair conditioners when you install. Perhaps I should remind you again later on. Good Luck

Annette

[Robo]

I did mine by opening the top, you just have to do more shaking since the opening is smaller.

We all know how much the bees enjoy that :shock:

Sharon,  whether you use syrup or smoke open the side,  it is much easier on the bees...... and you :-P

[Kathyp]

whatever you do, get down close to the hive to  do it.  i think the syrup has an advantage because it kind of sticks the bees together and gives them something to do right away. it also keeps them happy while you are fishing that queen cage out.   i have done mine from the top.  shook most in and put the box in front of the hive.  the rest found their way in pretty quickly.  i was more concerned with getting the queen cage in securely. 

brian and MB.  i thought our weather last year would have been great for the bees.  just the right amount of rain and a great black berry crop.  i was wrong.  it sucked.  the year before was much better.  this winter has been really wet.  i hope it does not continue into the spring or both my bees and my crops will suffer.

[DayValleyDahlias]

oh my now i am getting nervous,,,hhhm

[Cindi]

Sharon, you will be just fine, when you start the process, it will all fall into place, it will feel like you have done this a hundred times.  It is amazing how instinct takes over.....have a wonderful, awesome day, Cindi

[DayValleyDahlias]

Cindi, Annette & All,

Thanks for the information and encouragement...heehee...oh but I am still a bit nervous  WHOA hahaha

[KONASDAD]

If it makes you feel better my first hive was a full deep of bees. My first inspection I dropped the entire brood nest area. Covered in bees everywhere. Not one sting. You'll be fine. Take care of queen and evrything else will fall into place.

[annette]

If is makes you feel any better, I am also nervous whenever I have to do anything unusual or different with the bees. It is not that I afraid, just that I never want to make them unhappy.

Always some adrenaline rushing in me regarding the bees.

I just accept it now, and do the best I can.

Annette

[DayValleyDahlias]

Oh golly, I love you guys!  Hee hee thanks for all the advice a support...hhhmmm..nothing ventured nothing gained eh?