After producing for most of the summer, the beehives on campus were ready to be harvested. Jim E. and Sonja took to the hives with confidence and calm, but also with the proper protective gear.
Jim assured us that this hive had already swarmed earlier in the summer and was likely to be more docile. But, he also made sure to have the smoker up and ready before beginning, though.
Here you can see the sticky red glue called
propolis, which is used to help the bees build their hive walls. Jim and Sonja had to scrape off the
propolis before being able to free the comb frames. Clean combs were swapped for those with honey.
The girls were calm enough to be gently brushed off the frame.
Jim was even able to find the hives queen bee.
In the end, over 14 quarts of fresh honey were produced. Jim assured me that, while honey can keep for thousands of years, the honey collected here wouldn't last the winter at this house. Someone loves his honey, it seems.
After producing for most of the summer, the beehives on campus were ready to be harvested. Jim E. and Sonja took to the hives with confidence and calm, but also with the proper protective gear.
Jim assured us that this hive had already swarmed earlier in the summer and was likely to be more docile. But, he also made sure to have the smoker up and ready before beginning, though.
Here you can see the sticky red glue called propolis, which is used to help the bees build their hive walls. Jim and Sonja had to scrape off the propolis before being able to free the comb frames. Clean combs were swapped for those with honey.
The girls were calm enough to be gently brushed off the frame.
Jim was even able to find the hives queen bee.
In the end, over 14 quarts of fresh honey were produced. Jim assured me that, while honey can keep for thousands of years, the honey collected here wouldn't last the winter at this house. Someone loves his honey, it seems.
14 QUARTS?!?! What a bumper crop!! -John v.d.L.
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