Jonny and I have found a new obsession. I am going to do my best not to bore you all with it on a regular basis, but goodness, why did we wait so long to get bees? I explained to a close friend the other day that this is the absolute perfect nerd outlet for Jonny and I. Beekeeping encompasses many of our interests and there is so much to learn. Oh, and the kids! With the exception of Seth, who claims that he just can’t get interested in being stung by bees (ha ha! but he’s reading all the books and will help eventually with the honey side of things) everyone wants to be a part of this!
These photos were taken over the course of the past five days, beginning with the day that we picked up our bees (they’re in order chronologically.) As of Sunday, everything is going very well; our bees are drawing nice comb and one of our queens is already laying eggs. We’re pleased ecstatic. The installation of our packages was a little rocky though, and I thought I would let Jonny tell that story. I’ll insert my two cents in aqua here and there.
Where to begin? I can’t remember exactly, but shortly after we moved into our wee house and made our first garden, we started to talk about getting bees. I bought Ginny a couple of books about beekeeping for her birthday. She never read them, but I did. (I was home with three small children. He had a long train commute.) A few weeks ago, with spring truly coming on, we finally decided to go for it. I searched for a local bee supplier and called him up to see what the dilly was about getting bees for this year. His reply was, “Ha! You better hurry up!” So, without much thought I gave him my credit card number and reserved two packages of bees.
Fast forward. I’ve been working like a mad man lately, so I haven’t had time to get anything ready for the beekeeping party. Ginny took it upon herself to get the hives prepared by sealing them with some sort of eco wood finish hippie juice. It was up to me to get a place set up in the yard for the hives. (I was envisioning concrete blocks with boards across them.) Because I knew that these hives were going to be photographed regularly, I wanted them to have a visually appealing resting area. (Whatever. This was all about him. He just wanted an excuse to start another project.) So, I used some of the flagstone left over from the two and a half year porch makeover, and created what I hope will be a nice home to our new friends. I’m very pleased with the way it turned out. I was able to make it in less than two days. Not sure how, seeing as how long it took to do the porch.
So, the morning of bee package pick up day began with a nice breakfast and then me rushing outside to finish the afore mentioned visually appealing resting area. By the time Gabe and I finished setting the top pieces and mortaring the joints, it was well into the afternoon.We had a little less than an hour to drive to get the bees; Ginny was becoming very antsy. (I was a little annoyed at him for creating this crazy fancy thing last minute. It seemed ridiculous. I bit my tongue, but he could see me squirming.) She tends to get that way when I float around in a daydream taking my time existing.
As we drove to get our bees, we noticed lightning in the distance. Ginny remarked that bees are very sensitive to barometric pressure and become very grumpy on days like this. She explained to me that you should never work bees on this kind of day. (I’m hardly an expert. In fact I have no idea what I’m talking about. Sue Hubbell just mentions this in A Book of Bees.)
When we picked up our packages, Ginny asked if we needed to put them in tonight, or if we could wait. He told us we could wait, or put them in. Being the man of the house, I decided it was best to go ahead and put them in; ignoring all things barometric. By the time we made it home, it was getting on into the evening. I still had to add some starter strips to some of the frames, so I headed back into my daydream bliss. (bee guy thinks we’re crazy for going foundationless and convinced us to add cut comb wax strips to a few frames) When that was done we got the hives all set up and all the tools ready. We’ve heard from everyone, and read in all the books, that you don’t really need to worry about package bees. They are confused and not feeling territorial, and we noticed that lots of people don’t wear gloves while installing them. Well, since this was the case, I figured I didn’t need to wear pants either. (just want to clarify–he did wear shorts) Anyway, it was getting late and a storm was just around the corner, so I didn’t want to waste any more time.
The sky was getting dark when I started to work on the first package. (“Jonny, are you sure about this? It looks like it’s going to storm again.”) Gave them a little squirt of sugar water. Pried off the cover. Pulled out the staple holding the queen cage to the package. Gave the package a little bang to shake the girls off the feeding can. Lifted out the can. Took the queen cage out. Covered the hole in the package with the cover. Thinking to myself, “Who’s a rockstar! No gloves! Booyah!” I stapled the queen cage to a frame in the hive so that it was hanging nicely. Gave the package another bang. Rain started falling. No biggie, just some light misting. Another bang. Take off the cover and pour the 10,000 or so bees into the hive just above the queen. Here’s where it gets fun. I just poured out 10,000 somewhat confused but grumpy girls. 10,000! Remember…the whole barometric thingy Ginny was telling me about. Agitated…bad mood. (But really, we have no idea what the difference is between “normal” bees and “agitated” bees.) I really didn’t expect them to get all over me. Don’t know why I thought that. But, everything I read just kind of made me think that they would just fall out of the package and hang out where they fell. But, they didn’t. They went all over the place. I’ll admit, it was awesome but it momentarily freaked me out. I gave the package another bang and shook out as many of the rest as I could. Then I laid the package down and took a step back. At this point I was surrounded. (that “light misting” meant that bees were crawling on us rather than flying around.) I got stung. Right on the back of my leg. The rain started coming down much more. I backed up. I got another sting, right on the back of my other leg. And then another. At this point I wasn’t thinking about my legs so much as my boxer shorts. Not a good thought. I bailed and left my wife all alone. (I was panicked about the rain and the bees getting wet. I couldn’t put the lid on the hive because the bees were sitting in a pile on top of the frames and I was afraid to squash them. So I stood there abandoned in the rain holding the lid over the bees like an umbrella and tried to ignore the fact that they were crawling on my bare hands. It wasn’t my best moment.) After a few minutes Ginny was able to get the bees settled into the hive enough to put the cover on. She walked back up to the house. “You left me.” Bad husband. I had put some pants on. I also went ahead and grabbed my gloves and Ginny’s. The rain stopped. We laughed about how not smoothly that install went. It was kind of like we just showed the world how not to install a package of bees. The whole trying to beat the rain thing was a bad idea. But, now the rain had stopped, so we decided to attack package number 2. This time I took a couple of frames out of the hive so that there was more space to dump the girls. It worked about a bazillion times better. Instead of piling on top of the frames, they went down into the hive. There weren’t nearly as many airborne. After about 10 minutes I replaced the frames, put the feeder on top, filled it up, and put the cover on the hive. Install number 2 complete. Ginny got stung on the ankle. (Not anymore though. I sewed fashion elastic leg bands for my pants, although bees around the ankles hasn’t been an issue since that first ill fated day.)
When it was all said and done, Ginny and I couldn’t stop from smiling. There is definitely something euphoric and exciting about these girls (he doesn’t really acknowledge the drones-the boys.) I’m pretty sure that we have just taken the first step in a hobby that will be with us for the rest of our lives. (YES!)
I think I had a total of four stings. I’m not sure what kind of fool actually tries to tend bees with shorts on. But, I’ll blame it on being too punk rock for my own good.
I’ve been fascinated with bees since I was a young child. I read numerous book s about them as a young child, and that’s continued.
The past few years, I’ve thought about adding bees to our yard. We have four acres of land, so I’d put them near our woods. I’ve purchased books, forums, and watched videos.
The icing on the cake… my neighbor is good friends with a local bee keeper, and so I’ll be visiting them later this year. I’ll most likely get my bees next year.
Auuugghhh!!! I love bees but I’m also a little afraid! You two are awesome! Congrats!
We’ve raised bees a few times. Dang Bears get em every time. Last time the whole place was surrounded by fences, and we had two big dogs, the bees were right out in the front yard. Dang bear got em again… We’re going to try again…bigger stronger multiple fences this time. Loved your story… Nothing like home done honey, and pollen, and propylis…and wax.
I can’t wait to get bees! I’ve got the perfect (in my mind) space for them to be and lots of flowers and veggies for them. Oh. I can’t wait.
What a wonderful sharing! I will be adding Sue Hubbell’s book to my list of to reads! I am taking a beekeeping class in May as part of a women’s weekend and have already warned my husband that bees might be making an appearance in our yard.
Fantastic! I must get my husband to read this…he is mad about bees. I wish he’d just hurry up and get some! 🙂
When I read the title of your post, I thought of Queenie in Lark Rise to Candleford 🙂
I am glad that you both shared this bee story with us. I hope we will be able to read more about “your girls”.
Love, love, love, love, love it!! So exciting, and I really hope you post a lot more about your bees. (and you guys crack me up).
-Jaime
i love you guys. i think those are some lucky bees.
Thanks for sharing!
My husband Jeff was raising bees when we first met. Then a bear got them. We want to raise them again, so I’m learning all I can about beekeeping. I appreciate hearing about your experience. And thanks for the laugh- you guys crack me up!
Love, Taryn
How exciting! Congratulations! I look forward to hearing all you wish to share of your bee keeping adventures. What gorgeous pictures!
Oh my, what an adventure. I am laughing so hard my hubby keeps asking what is so funny. Great post!!!
Please keep the bee posts coming, looking forward to learning lots from you before we get ours next year 🙂
This post is awesome! I just finished The Year of the Flood by Atwood and one of the main characters talks to her bees. It was a wonderful love for nature and the gift the bees give to us… I can’t wait to hear all of your adventures!
What great photos! I’m glad you were able to get them installed, despite the minor trauma. My kids’ school principal is getting bees and if it goes well is planning to put some hives on the roof of the school. I can’t wait to see if that pans out! 🙂
ok, that was pretty fascinating! when i come see the bees, can i wear the cool spaceman suit??
What does foundationless mean?
I’m glad you’re doing this, and I’m glad you’re having fun. I appreciate that bees are terrific for their surrounding areas (pollination of course), and I like honey (both for food and as allergy medicine, though I’m not doing that currently.) But I had a bad reaction to stings as a kid (not anaphylactic but swelling that didn’t go down for weeks until we applied topical coritizone) so I wouldn’t ever take the chance. But I’m glad you’re doing it and I can see what it’s like… safely from this side of the computer screen. 🙂
Wow! Just wow.
I love the little banter and rock star pats on the back. Reminds me of m husband and I.
The only thing that makes me nervous of bees are the stings and the possibility of getting stung so often that we or the kids form a terrible allergy…must read more on the bees…I am thinking next spring! Glad to hear that there are no regrets 🙂
Oh and I LOVE that picture of the bee on someone’s fingers. Gorgeous. You should sell it.
e.
Ginny, now that you have the bees, I highly recommend as a family read-aloud the book *Linnets and Valerians* by Elizabeth Goudge. It is one of my favorite of her books and has much mention of beekeeping in it (plus, the children are homeschooled by their schoolmaster uncle and it’s quite charming.) My kids always loved it when they were young.
My father-in-law has almost 200 families (that’s what they call hives) in the old country.
he does recommend trying to not get stung all the time- for some people, allergies/sensitivity can build up with too many stings.
Have fun!
Oh dear, I’m so sorry Ginny and Jonny, but I’m laughing fit to burst!! You both have a gift for writing – especially comedy!! Thank you and please keep up with the bee tale!!
Hilarious! You are both very punk rock. I’m impressed. 🙂
Loved this post–so fun to read both of your thoughts on the bee installation. Glad it all turned out well, and the elastic ankle bands are great!
thank you for the laugh!! Great post! I love to hear about your bees:)
OK. I just read tons of books on bee keeping. My husband wants to do it. Me? Well, not to be negative, but it seems like so much work! and then to dress up & smoke bees so I don’t get stung?! Someone will have to really convince me before I attempt that hobby. In the meantime, I’ll watch you guys…from a distance. On another note, you & your husband have to share posts more often. Very funny.
I SO enjoyed this post, thankyou. And PLEASE don’t be shy about posting pictures often, I am so encouraged to see you are trying foundationless – our bees for our farm arrive on the 23rd of this month and I really want to go foundationless but having a hard time finding any support in the bee books or community save Michael Bush’s book. I’d love to see your pics as the comb progresses.
Definitely–we didn’t get much support from our local bee guy either-quite the opposite. So far the bees are doing really well though–no crazy comb. We’ll be checking again in the next few days because we need to make sure our other queen is laying.
It was so much fun reading ‘his’ side and then hearing yours too 🙂 Looking forward to hearing more.
Nice! Our bees arrive on Friday. I’m getting so excited!
I am getting my first bees this year, too! That stone foundation? TO DIE FOR.
Thanks for the great post, I am excited for the arrival of my new buzzing pals. (AND I have 52 new chicks, too! I love spring.) Daryl
Thanks for writing such a detailed report on installing the bees. You two are so funny. I had quite a few laughs. Glad your hobby is off to such a fun start. Bee stings are not my cup of tea. One sting and I would’ve been out of there for good. Besides I’ve had allergic reactions to bees. Good luck and have fun!
Marj
This was so funny! You (two) should write like this more often! =]
Jonny, as I scrolled through the photos, I immediately took note of the fashion shorts and bare hands. I also thought the showcase for the bees was quite gorgeous. Good job on the bee stand. Glad to know Ginny was able to take care of the first install. I think she must be very good to have around the home. Sounds like the second time went better. It looks and sounds like the two of you are quite a good team. good luck with the bees.
Ginny and Jonny, You are a comedic force to reckon with. Hilarious. I wish I could have been a bee, er fly, on the wall. (Sorry, couldn’t resist).
xo Jules
You guys are too funny!! What an awesome post. I can’t wait to hear more about your adventures in bee keeping.
Ok, so I am sitting here laughing really hard! Because that’s exactly what we did last year when we got our first package of sweet honey girls! Except for the rain part! But the shaking the box to get them out part? Totally! So much so that we had to rush the kids back in and shut all the doors (small yard)!! And I went in while my knight in shining armor stayed out… But just like Johnny not very covered and got stung quite a few times too!
It is a wonderful adventure for the whole family! One of our hives is getting ready to swarm and we are getting ready to catch them before they fly too far away… They are so amazing and fascinating!
Have fun! oh and the honey will be fantastic! We just harvested our first full harvest and we can’t get enough of it…
Thanks again for everything you share!
Oh please do talk about the bees–everyday if you want to! This is such a great story. Hopefully, I’ll be able to learn from your experiences someday soon!
This is a great story and so, so cool. PLEASE keep us updated! I loved reading about it and i think this is a really great thing you guys are doing! ROCK STARS for sure, no gloves, shorts?!?! crazy.
This may be one of my favorite all time posts. (Besides Seth telling about his treasures!) I’ve recently started thinking about keeping bees, and have started reading up on it. My husband thinks I’m crazy. We’ll give it a few years. 😉 (By the way, he loves this blog as much as I do, although he doesn’t have much “blog reading time.” I’ll have to make sure he reads this one by you and Jonny together. He’ll love it!)
Hilarious!!!! Fun times- glad you shared. I’ve been thinking about bees…..
I love this post. It is so fun to hear from both of you. Good luck with your bees. I used to help my father raise bees. I was not as brave as you. I wore the whole suit, no bare legs or hands for me. I loved, loved, loved making our own honey. The whole process was so much fun and fastinating. Best of luck with your new hives.
You had me smiling this morning, thank you you! what a great story and I’m wanting bees even more! What’s been your favorite bee book so far? Love your elastic pants too Ginny 🙂
The pair of you is hilarious! Please tell more about your choice to go foundationless and the starter strip idea. I’ve never seen this and am intrigued! We didn’t get around to bees this year (our first pigs took priority), but I’m preparing for next spring. I’m reading Sue Hubbell’s book on your recommendation and can’t put it down! Thank you!
I love how your leg bands aren’t just plain elastic. Beekeeping fashion.
Gorgeous photos, amazing story. (and yes, Jonny, those bees are living on prime real estate. I hope they appreciate the artistry!) Not sure we’ll ever be brave enough to keep bees ourselves, but I’ll enjoy yours from afar. How long until you’ll harvest honey?
Lol! This is great, I love this story! So awesome you guys are doing this!!
This is awesome. Honey is awesome. I just noticed streaming on Netflix there’s this documentary about the disappearing of honeybees around the world so hooray for you repopulating them!
Ginny and Susanne,
Being passionate about the idea of beekeeping with the white-hot passion of a thousand suns, I rented The Vanishing of Bees from Netflix, and thought it really fascinating, and I think that anyone who is going to keep bees ought to watch it.
The kids’ room at our local library has an observation hive. I’ll have to go visit it and stand there like a kid in front of a candy shop without pocket change!
Personally, I really don’t think that beekeeping is nerdy, and I don’t know what makes you think so, Ginny! I think that it is the height of rural sophistication…! You go, girl!
I am enjoyoing all your bee posts Ginny [and Jonny]. Please keep them coming!
Beautiful staging, lucky bees – loved the whole story (including the aqua) I will look forward to learning about bees – thank you!
You guys make me laugh! I would love bees too! Yet to con my husband…. ( I am allergic!) Best of luck and dream about that beautiful honey!!
Please keep sharing all you want about the bees! This story made my morning.
My Gramp never had arthritis and Mom swears its because of his bee stings. All he ever wore was the net over his head.