June 2024 - Jovin's Apiary

First Free Bees in SD

June 16, 2024 By Chief Bee Herder 0

First swarm of 2024

The Video (above) shows the bees flying in and out of the swarm trap. I left the trap alone for 3 days. I have replaced the broken bungee cord. The picture to the left is hard to see but there are about 3-4 frames of bees. I smoked them while removing the inner cover (reflectix insulation). There was also a cluster under the frames already drawing out small burr comb. I would estimate 8K bees with a beautiful blonde queen. What a great father’s day present from mother nature!!

I removed the frames from the trap and placed 3 of them in the bottom blue box (right) with 2 frames of drawn comb. There was already about 2 frames of nectar and 1 frame with eggs/larvae and pollen. I placed the remaining 2 frames in the top white box with 1 frame drawn comb and 2 frames of foundation. They should have plenty of resources to start their new colony. I laid the trap at the front bottom of the Nucleus colony so the remaining bees can find their new home. I caught this swarm at the IWL wildflower plot. I moved the swarm temporarily to my home apiary to get established. I plan on returning the colony back to McCook Lake later this summer.

Apiary

KTIV News 4 Interview

June 13, 2024 By Chief Bee Herder 0

We interviewed with local journalist Morgan Jones from KTIV News 4. The weather did not cooperate, but we didn’t let this stop us from sharing our partnership with McCook Lake Izaak Walton League in North Sioux, SD. Our little ladies eagerly showed off their frame of nectar and pollen for Morgan. We were honored with the presence of royalty, as the queen made a brief appearance. Please click on the link to see our interview and read more about the partnership.

McCook Lake Izaak Walton League helps the environment by teaming up with beekeepers (ktiv.com)

Apiary

Colony Swarm

June 10, 2024 By Chief Bee Herder 0

One of my home colonies tried to swarm, so cutting to the chase, we now have 4 colonies in 2 hives waiting to see if the Queen cells hatch. This will increase our apiary by 4 more colonies (if successful). Fingers crossed. I will not check these hives for 2 weeks giving the new virgin queens time to mate and start laying. Please check back for an update if these colonies successfully created a laying queen.

The original colony swarmed underneath the bottom board of the original hive. First time this has happened to me. So, we will take this opportunity to break the mite cycle, let the original colony start all over hoping they continue filling the honey super. Things are looking really good to have honey and wax products available for sale this fall.

Month: June 2024