White Owl Cigars

In the winter of 2014, I had gone down to the coast for my Dads funeral. During my time down there I got to  visit with my Mums brother,  Uncle Bill.
I mentioned to him that I had ordered bees and was really looking forward to finally get into beekeeping. He said  "Oh really?"  There was a long pause, then he said....."well then, you will have to get some White Owl Cigars"  I was kind of stumped. Then he preceded to tell me that whenever my Great Grampa (Alexander Forrest) would go out to tend the bees, he would light up a white owl cigar. It was his way of gearing up, I guess. No gloves, no veil or special jacket.... just the sweet scent of a white owl cigar.

Beeing Cranky

I guess Bees have a right to get cranky like we do.  But what is it that set them off. Some say, weather can make them cranky, either what's happening today or upcoming weather changes. Others say it could be a problem with the queen. Or maybe its just regular old crankiness. Who really knows?
I just know the other day I went out to put some Mite a way strips in all the hives to treat for Varroa Mites. I had done the Nuc first, then the Split (yes I have names for all our hives) I had decided to leave the Big Hive till the end. The first two hive went along smoothly. While I had the hives open it was a good time to see how the honey production was coming along. I kind of dreaded doing the Big Hive because of the weight of the honey super, it was full and I was afraid I may drop it.
Anyways, I preceded, I removed the top cover and inside cover, then lifted off the top super, then I was at the full honey super. I got it off ok and set it aside. Taking advantage of tearing apart the hive I decided to remove the queen excluder and leave it off. So far so good. Next came the second brood box, I slowly pried up the corners and lifted it off. Out of no where came an explosion of bees. 1000's of them, all ticked off with me for disturbing them. They was not happy, I was covered head to toe with bees and they were trying their best to have some pay back.
I decided when they didn't let up, I would go for a little walk and let them simmer down some. I got half way across the driveway and they were still bouncing off me, so I went farther and farther and ended up behind the motel. Slowly they started letting up a bit. By this time my legs and bum were starting to feel like a pin cushion, then I felt a sting on my ankle. I pulled off my gum boat and whipped off all the bees out off my pant leg. By the time I came around to the front of the motel the bees were pretty well gone.
Next to our bee yard is where we cut and stack the firewood, so its fairly close, and while I was working in the bee yard, James and Ray were splitting firewood. As I glanced over I saw Ray running across the yard waving his arms. Oops!   I then noticed James shutting down the splitter and walking away. Apparently the cranky bees were mad at them too. (teehee)
To be continued........

And so it begins. Part 2

So we watched the "weak" hive over the summer, checking to make sure the new queen was laying. It still didn't appear to be expanding as we figured it should.  Late Aug 2015 we tore the hive apart and had a real thorough inspection, and we found lots of Drones and Drone cells. So after much discussion we decided to get rid of the queen and combine this hive with the other hive for the winter. We felt the weak hive just didn't have enough bees to survive the winter.  Winter was quickly approaching so we had to move fast.
Near the end of Aug, we found out this was the time to check for Varroa Mites, so we did that. Then on the 30th we prepared to combine both hives. We were instructed to "disperse" of the queen, then  remove the top cover and inside cover of the good hive, place 1 or 2 sheets of newspaper over the box, then place the box from the weak hive over that. Place the inside and top cover on it and leave it for a few days to a week.
After a few days the bees from both colony's chewed thru the newspaper and by then they were accepted in and the weak hive accepted the other queen as theirs.
In the beginning of November we compressed the bees into 2 boxes for the winter and wrapped them up.
This spring we were excited to fine the hive was in great shape and the plan was in June 2016 we would get a second queen and do a split.
I can't believe what I learnt this last year from having a few problems like that. You have to learn real quick or lose the bees. I am far to stubborn to let them die without giving it my best. And this time it worked.

Checking things out

Appearing a little Beewildered

To swarm or not to swarm....

July 7th 2016. The day began like any other day at the Motel. Plenty of guests last night so lots of laundry and cleaning to do. We finished the cleaning by noon but the laundry had only been going a short time.
I decided since it was a nice day I should go check the bees water bowl. Everything was as it should be. Lots of action, going in and out, collecting pollen. James decided to cut lawns so I carried on with laundry. 10 minutes after he started, he come in the laundry saying "I think the bees are starting to swarm!" No it can't be I replied, I have never dealt with a swarm before.
So we hurried out to see and sure enough by this time they had begun to cluster in a Pine tree. Trying to remain calm, we ran and got 2 boxes, a sheet, a outside cover and a bottom board. But our supplies were slim pickins. I did get 2 boxes and the lid but there was no bottom board. The inside cover was the type that had a small 1 1/2" opening in it, I could use this as a bottom board. So armed with our supplies, we went out and laid out a plan. (ok so I didn't really have a plan but I hoped one would come to me soon.)
I made a quick phone call to a friend who has been on several recovery of swarms. She gave me a couple pointers and off we went.
Since I am the only one in the family with a bee jacket and gloves, I was the one who was going to retrieve them. We got the 11 ft ladder and placed under the swarm. I went up with my pruners and  a pruning saw. I clipped the surrounding branches, then James gave me a few pointers on where to saw the branch and so I begun.
I tried being gentle so I didn't shake off too many bees. When I finally cut through it I carefully grabbed the branch with both hands and made my way down the ladder and over to the box. I laid the branch inside the second empty box and left it. Then I wandered over and found the remaining swarm was clustering again on the branch above the first cluster. I decided  not to cut the branch this time, I chose to shake them into one of them 2 gallon ice cream bucket and then put the lid on . So that's what I did and it worked like a charm.
Once I got them over to the box I dumped them inside and put the lid on, leaving it propped open so the stragglers could go in. An hour later we checked them and they seemed to accept their new house and were busy coming and going. That evening, when they were all inside I closed the cover.
I worried they may leave overnight so was anxious to check on them first thing in the morning. To my surprise, they were there and already out collecting Pollen. Later in the afternoon, we lifted the box up and carried it into the bee yard. They are now part of the family and have the number 4 on their hive box. We haven't figured out which hive they split from yet, but in the next couple days we will look and see.

Me cutting the branch off.

A close up of the swarm

Tucked away in their new home

Too much excitement for a WannaBee

Today was one of them day. Very busy night at the Motel, so today there lots of rooms to clean and laundry to do.
I didn't really need this to happen, but it did. I will tell you all about it soon. Stay tuned. Here's a hint

"I see you"