This is an important post for our record keeping and it is just a fun way to thank all of our new beekeeper friends we met since our move. What better way to thank them for their help then telling everyone about our bee adventures in the city!
First we would like to thank Rick for willing to help us when we first brought our bees to San Antonio. We were bringing the bees from East Texas in the middle of the night. Michael would be the only one to unload the hive and he is not the beekeeper of the family. Rick did not hesitate with his willingness to help should he be needed. Thankfully Michael was able to move the hive without any trouble. But, it is always good to know someone had his back! (January 18)
Now skip ahead two months and we went to our first beekeeper meeting in March (yep...I am that behind!). This was so different from our other association (not in a good or bad way...just different!). The older boys and I arrived to a FULL parking lot and we were wondering if we were at the right place or if there was another activity at the same location. I think there were at least 100 beekeepers! (March 18)
The meeting began with general information and then the program for the evening began. The program was presented by Cynthia and was inspired by her visit to the USDA Bee Research Lab in Baton Rouge. She gave a great talk about all the research done at this site as well as the research throughout the country. The boys especially enjoyed learning about the genetics of bees since we were discussing genetics in science at this time. We were not able to stay until the end, but Cynthia was kind enough to send us her slide show so we could view the rest of the information.
She spoke about:
- Current Research/Future Bee Research;
- Varroa mites;
- Molecular Genetic Bee Research;
- Fungal Bee Research; Insemination of Queen Bees;
- Honey Extraction at USDA;
- Sun Shading-Hives;
- Africanized Bee;
- US Range Penetration/Rainfall Correlation;
- Pesticides – Correlation with Colony Collapse Disorder.
Another surprise for us was the potluck dinner (said to happen at all the meetings!). This was midway through the presentation, so we were able to stay for a short time. This was a nice surprise and showed that this was a group that really encouraged family involvement It was just a nice way to get to know other beekeepers in a relaxed setting. At the beginning of the meeting, all the newcomers were asked to introduce themselves, so I was able to ask if anyone was interested in helping us split our hive. So, at the dinner portion of the meeting, I met a couple who was in need of a hive who wanted to help.
NOW...jump ahead another six weeks...and we are at the annual bee field day...April 25th. We met at Rick's family ranch early in the morning. We first met Diana in her beautiful full garden. The children enjoyed walking through the walk ways and trying different vegetable fresh off the plants! 
They also liked meeting their dog Shiner! Henry spent much of this time taking pictures throughout the grounds. Michael and I went about meeting the other beekeepers.
After a brief introduction, we were sent about to different stations to learn different aspects of beekeeping. We were able to learn about:
- Honey extraction (the association has a nice portable set up for members to borrow when honey harvest comes around!)
- How to make lotion with bee wax (an easy recipe I look forward to using!)
- Local fauna for best pollen, nectar and honey production (for our use and for the bees)
Then we enjoyed a potluck meal and met more of the beekeepers. This is when we met up with Dan who would follow us home to split our hive. It did not take long for the younger children to find play mates for the day. This was great because they were able to play while we went out to the apiary.
Thankfully, after the meal we were taken out to Rick's apiary to learn how to go through the process of splitting a hive and re-queening. I spoke to several beekeepers in the field also, including a man from the Beaumont area who is working on a bee that is resilient to the Varroa mite that also works well in the high humidity of East Texas (mix of Russian and Italian bees). Then a young man came and told me that he was glad to see the boys out in the field as we needed more young beekeepers (the next generation). He told me that he would love to help us in any way to keep the boys interested. |
| I had to add this picture of the little guy (not one of ours)! |
We then headed home with Dan so we could split the hive. It had already been a long day but it was good to get it done while the method was fresh on our minds. It was actually very easy. We found the queen in the first frame we pulled. (NICE!) so we were able to then pull from our second deep and not disturb her set up. We pulled the frames needed for Dan's new hive (eggs or larvae that just hatched from the egg, drones flying, pollen and honey, plenty of nurse bees) and enough to remain in our hive. 
The only big surprise were the ants. Three weeks before we had checked our hive and noticed ants around the bottom. We had placed cinnamon around the hive and it seemed to help (April 5). We did not check the hive again until this split. The ants had taken over the entire top of the hive (even laying eggs along the inner cover of the hive!). We were really worried that the ants had gotten deep into the hive! However, we do have a strong hive and the bees had kept them out of the inner depths of the hive. We were able to sprinkle the area around the hive with cinnamon and Diatomaceous earth. This seems to be helping and is not harmful to the bees. After all was done, we were free of stings and walking away from the hive. Dan started removing his suit and ended up with a bee sting on his forehead! I felt so bad, but he seemed to be okay with it all. He took his split and headed home!
All is well in our little apiary in the city! We are looking forward to a good harvest in July.
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