Scenic Valley Apiary

Hi Bee people! Here's the over winter update. I checked on the bees the other day. Of course, I had to pick the windiest day. :( Lids were flying all over the place and I lost a piece of insulation. Oh no! Anyway, after four years of dying bees we finally had a bit of luck! One hive lived and is thriving. The hive farthest away from the house it the lucky hive this time. The entire top brood chamber was full of busy bees and honeycomb. Sadly, the other hive did not make it. Here's to hoping the hive lasts the rest of the winter through spring. We will let everyone know when we schedule bee day sometime in late April probably.

We installed the two new packages of bees on April 23. For the past month, we have been feeding them and checking on them to make sure all is well. The queen is laying eggs and both hives appear to be growing. Today I removed the reducers from the entrances and also added a second brood chamber to both hives. Each hive has a couple of more frames to fill before moving up to the second chamber.

It's almost bee time again! Over the winter, our bees transformed into mice. The good news is that our hives are magical. The bad news is that our bees turned into mice instead of more bees or surviving. So we once again have to purchase new bees start over. You will be receiving an invite to our Spring Bee Transfer shortly.

If you haven't paid yet, please pay Robert $68 by Oct. 1, 2016. If you have any questions or would like to see details of costs, please contact Kristel or Robert or send us a private message here on Facebook.

Robert has built up hives for anyone who would like to try raising bees on your own. He currently has one left that you can purchase for $275 + $94 for a package of bees. The covers and bottom stands are made from scratch and the rest were purchased and then he assembled. All they need is paint. Please see the attached pictures to see the building process and finished product.

Sweet News From U.S. Beekeepers: Colony Numbers At 20-Year High Beekeepers have changed the ways they're managing their hives and there are now more honeybee colonies than at any time since 1994.