Each of us has something that marks the coming of spring. This year, that something happened yesterday. It was a sunny day and the temperature actually felt mild. We went out – feeling a kind of crossed-fingers excitement – to open the beehives.
I'll admit that as the deep cold settled across Northwestern Ontario (and many other parts of Canada) in this winter, I was worried. How, I wondered, could our honey bees possibly survive? But survive they did; four out of five hives made it through which is a positive return. I say, brave little insects!
This is a photo-post to show you what we found in our small bee yard.
I'll admit that as the deep cold settled across Northwestern Ontario (and many other parts of Canada) in this winter, I was worried. How, I wondered, could our honey bees possibly survive? But survive they did; four out of five hives made it through which is a positive return. I say, brave little insects!
This is a photo-post to show you what we found in our small bee yard.
 Snowshoes & a shovel were part of our beekeeping gear.  A frame with clustered bee from the hive that did not survive. It's surprisingly warm inside a beehive. While the hive is insulated with a Styrofoam sleeve and snow, it's not air-tight. Bees need air flow during their season of rest. Inside the hive, they cluster together in a slow-moving swarm to conserve energy and share body heat. |   Removing heavy snow from the insulated hives.  Healthy, disease-free bees are actively moving in their hive. |
Late winter is the time when honey bees are most vulnerable. Their honey stores are depleted, but the warm days of foraging for pollen and nectar are still a long way off. They need food to make it through to the true arrival of spring. Beekeepers start now to feed their bees sugar syrup – and often commercially prepared pollen – as a substitute for foraged food.
 Pouring syrup into smaller jar to place in the hive.  Syrup in place. Bees eat it through the screened opening in the top board.  Everything in place inside until next feeding. |  Draining a little syrup to gain surface tension. This prevents leaking and drowned bees!  Clean, dry burlap insulates the top of the hive.  The all-important hIve cover goes back on top. |
We'll be back out often to check the hives and replenish the syrup stores. A jar may last a few days, maybe much less. It all depends.
I was fascinated to see the bees flying, even walking on the snow in front of the hives. This is proof that they have broken swarm and are beginning their cleansing flights. They fly after their long confinement and well, defecate. It's nature, after all.
I was fascinated to see the bees flying, even walking on the snow in front of the hives. This is proof that they have broken swarm and are beginning their cleansing flights. They fly after their long confinement and well, defecate. It's nature, after all.
Apis mellifera - European honey bee
Just so you know ...
The genus Apis is Latin for "bee" and mellifera comes from Latin melli- "honey" and ferre "to bear"
— hence the scientific name means "honey-bearing bee". – Wikipedia
All photos therebloomsagarden.com
The genus Apis is Latin for "bee" and mellifera comes from Latin melli- "honey" and ferre "to bear"
— hence the scientific name means "honey-bearing bee". – Wikipedia
All photos therebloomsagarden.com
