It's Alive! We made it through the winter!

What a tough month February was around here! snow, snow, snow and freezing temperatures had us really worried about the bees making it through.  We had seen them out on a few sunny days in January and then BAM! February arrived and didn't let up.

The hive had been wrapped in insulation on the north and west sides and we kept the doorway free of snow and ice and added an entrance reducer to help keep the chill out. We started feeding the bees sugar fondant (bee candy) because it can be quickly placed on top of the frames, close to the cluster of cold, hungry bees and their queen. We actually made our own fondant because we didn't want to wait for an order to arrive. See how to do that- http://www.honeybeesuite.com/how-to-make-fondant-from-table-sugar/

On Feb. 22, we breathed a sigh of relief when we the sun came out, the temperature went up a bit and we saw bees flying! They were taking cleansing "poop" flights and bring out the dead and coming out just to stretch their wings. We were very proud bee parents! Our first hive had made it thought its first winter!  We have talked with may beekeepers since February and learned that we were very lucky. Many hives were lost this winter even though the beekeepers did everything possible to help them along.

Cleansing flights Feburary 22, 2015



We kept up with fondant feeding into March and then, at the beginning of April we were brave enough and the temperatures were warm enough to go into the hive for a quick inspection. The bees had not only taken to munching on fondant, they had discovered their own warehouse and were eating honey they had put aside. Some of them were venturing further from the hive in search of water. Take a look at these girls, finding snow melt on our back deck.

So here we go, into our second year as beekeepers with hopes of honey and pollination and good stewardship!