2009 Beekeeping Plans

Over the winter I've thought about what I would like to do with my beekeeping during the 2009 season. Last year was my first year and I spent quite a bit of time reading, researching, and just figuring it all out. This year, I plan on doing a few new things, here's what I was thinking about:

1. Podcasting "The Beekeeping Podcast" - Last year, I actually did two episodes of this, but I really wasn't committed. This year, I've got a new microphone and much more material. My main goal is to encourage other people who are just beginning or thinking about getting stated in beekeeping. I hope you'll tune in.

2. Catch a Swarm - After reading so much about swarming, I now want to catch one. I just don't want to see my hives swarm. I've got a swarm box ready and I'm waiting for a phone call from someone who knows where an easy hive to catch is. Last year, I got several calls about 'removing' bees from the inside walls of houses or eradicating hornets, no way. This year, I'd like to start a third hive with a swarm.

3. Photograph More - I've thought about trying to photograph all of the relevant honey flow sources here in Kentucky. The idea would be to share this with other beekeepers to help identify bloom times and kinds of honey they are getting. I also enjoy looking back over my first year in pictures and have committed to taking more detailed pictures for my blog.

4. Enter My Honey In The Local Fair - Last year I only saw one jar of honey at the fair. This year, I'll be entering mine and I hope to encourage others to do the same. Non-beekeepers can't appreciate what they don't see. Besides, I like those blue ribbons!

5. More to come...

They've Survived

Today's temps got to 50' so I went to check on the hives. I gently tapped on each one and heard them respond with buzzing. That means they're alive and well. I'm so thankful because here in Northern Kentucky we've had a cold, wet winter here. Beekeepers across the country dread this time of year because, in some parts of the country, winter losses are over 50%.

Both hives seed to have good food stores, although Exodus was a little lighter than Genesis.

Now, I'll prepare for a little late winter feeding, and on the next warm day, load them up.

A New Year in Beekeeping

With the turn of the calendar so begins my second year as a beekeeper. I'm very thankful to all the people who helped me my first year, including those of you who read my blog. I'm encouraged every time I look at the visitor map and see the red dots from new locations and those that grow bigger. I know some of you are non-beekeeping friends and family. Thank you for allowing me to share my experience with you.

As for 2009, I have a few interesting ideas, including cataloging local honey sources here in Northern Kentucky, entering my honey in the local county fair, and continuing to encourage new people to start beekeeping.

There are several beekeeping schools coming up in the local area. If you are interested, please check out this link to the Kentucky State Apiarist. There, Phil gives all the details of upcoming classes, but you have to sign up early for most of these as they fill up very fast.

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Precipitation Data - Cincinnati Area

At the beekeepers meeting last night we discussed the dearth and how it was effecting the local beekeepers. I decided to do a little research and come up with some monthly data on the local area and what the actual precipitation was. Here is a chart of the results:


For data on your area, visit NOAA's Website.

Northern Kentucky Beekeepers Meeting

Last night the Northern Kentucky Beekeepers Association had its November meeting. I've been looking forward to getting together with my fellow beekeepers and having a chance to compare notes and discuss a few ideas for the club.

We decided to spend a little money and purchase a couple books for two local libraries here in the area. 'Beekeeping for Dummies' and 'The Beekeepers Handbook', both excellent books for beginners were selected and we'll be buying two copies of each for the local community.



One set will go to the Boone County Library and the other to Campbell County Library.

We also had a few new beekeepers visit the club, one from Ohio and one from West Virginia. They both brought some interesting ideas about their clubs as well as lobbying activities in West Virginia where the state subsadizes beekeeping costs. Interesting...

I also got ahold of a homemade frame display case. I'll be attempting to make one of these this winter.

Goodbye to 2008 Beekeeping Season

Date: October 28, 2008
Time: 2:00 PM
Temp: 47'
Weather: Cold, Dry, and Windy

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye...the 2008 beekeeping season is done. Today I closed up the hives and did a final check in the bees. Nothing much to report as the temperature was only in the 40's. I didn't even use a veil. Although I nailed in the mouse guards, I would recommend screwing them in. I was only challenged by a bee or two which promptly went back inside after not finding me too interesting. There was plenty of activity inside the hives and they seem like they have plenty of honey stored up for the upcoming winter.

I removed the top feeders, added the mouse guards, tilted the hives forward with a few pieces of scrap wood, spaced the top cover for ventilation, and closed up the screened bottom board.

Thanks to all of you who have written me e-mail or have simply checked out the website. I have some very cool ideas for next year and promise to keep the website interesting and informative in the months to come.

In the mean time, I'll be attending and working to build up our local beekeeping club and look forward to meeting all of the local beekeepers who have contacted me.

First Frost

Here in Northern Kentucky the weather has definitely turned towards winter.  The leaves have been changing, the grass has stopped growing, and while deer hunting near my hives last week, I noticed minimal activity coming from the hives.  The temperatures here have been in the 60'-40's range, but tonight is expected to be the first frost of the season.

Tomorrow, I'll head out to the hives for one last seasonal visit.  I need to remove the top feeders, tilt the hives a little more, install mouse guards, remove the ApiGaurd, and say good bye to the 2008 beekeeping season. 

Visits from Around the World

I'm amazed at the number of people from all over the world who have visited my website.  To date, visitors from six continents have visited.  

Thanks to all of you who have sent me e-mails and continue t0 make my website interesting.

Cleaning up and a Bee Battlefield

Date: October 3, 2008

Time: 2:00 PM

Temp: 67'

Weather: Cool and Dry

This afternoon I went to the hives to install the second round of Apigaurd treatment in both hives. Apigaurd is used to kill off the Varroa mites that have infested my hives. I picked up a few leaves of tobacco from the field and added it to my smoker...mmmmm good. It's said that tobacco smoke is also good for treating Varroa. Both Genesis and Exodus were pretty quite. I checked the weight of both hives and both seem to have a good amount stored up for the winter. I'm terrible as estimating weight, so I'll just say 50lbs? Here's a video of Exodus. (Notice how slow the bees were moving)

I removed the empty supers that were on top of each hive and fed the bees a winter syrup mixture. The recipe is 2.5 qts water and 10 lbs of sugar. Each hive got about 1.5 gallons.

Bee Battlefield

On top of Exodus, underneath the empty super that the bees had been cleaning up, I found dozens of dead bees, cut in half. Strange...I suppose they were battling robbing yellow jackets.

I also saw a field mouse in the area of my hives. So, sometime very soon I'll be installing the mouse guards on each hive.

"You are an adequate beekeeper"

I took an online beekeeping test.  I scored 29/50.  The result is the title of this post.  I suppose that that's not too bad because the questions were pretty difficult.  

Here's the link:  Online Beekeeping Test

Let me know how you did...