Who are the Vine's Resident Beekeepers?

[mothhawk]

Grow lemongrass - rub a couple of leaves inside the bait hive - it makes the hive much more attractive to bees, they seem to find the scent irresistible.

I've two hives in use and another ready to go come swarming season. I've just finished making a clear 5mm polycarbonate crown board for it. It's lovely to be able to look into the hive and see what's going on without disturbing the bees by opening the top or letting out the heat.

[DWSmith]

I kept bees for about 6 years in southern Iowa until the farmer next door sprayed his fields and then the girls were all gone in less than 2 days (3 colonies). I have 3 3# packages arriving in April so I'm a beekeeper by heart without any bees for a bit longer.

[DWSmith]

I kept bees for about 6 years in southern Iowa until the farmer next door sprayed his fields and then the girls were all gone in less than 2 days (3 colonies). I have 3 3# packages arriving in April so I'm a beekeeper by heart without any bees for a bit longer.

No longer just a beekeeper 'by heart'. Three packages of bees arrived yesterday and were installed after the winds settled down. I think everything went well but I'll watch them closely over the next few days to make certain.

I am now officially a beekeeper again! I'll be hanging out here a bit more.