This is a shot of Steelbelly chunking up a large hickory which contains a wild swarm of bees. We were successfully able to rob the honey but we weren't able to save the bees.
With temperatures in the low 80's my bees that I captured last May were very active. Because the swarm I captured last spring was small it hadn't build up large enough colony numbers to keep its self warm through the winter.
So, late last fall I moved the hive body to the protected area inside the stone sauna to overwinter. Thus, the sod roofed sauna was out of commission last winter and Susie wanted to get on the roof for some spring time weeding of the succulents and moss roses but the bees had to go. At dusk when most of the bees have returned form gathering pollen from the nearby pussy willow and crocus blooms, I closed up the opening of the 30 lb. hive body and lifted loaded it onto the wheelbarrow for the move to the lower end of our 1 acre garden near the orchard. Honey bees have become the primary source of pollination for approximately one-fourth of all crops produced in the United States and some other countries. The value of the crops that rely on such pollination has been estimated as high as $10 billion annually in the United States. Examples of fruit crops that rely on honey bees are almonds, apples, apricots, avocados, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupes, cherries, cranberries, cucumbers, pears, raspberries, strawberries and watermelons. The seeds of many vegetables are also produced with honey bee pollination; examples include alfalfa, asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, clover, cotton, cucumbers, onions, radishes, squash, sweet clover, and turnips.
Many species of wild pollinators have disappeared from the land as their habitats have been destroyed or altered by humans. The honey bee has taken over as pollinator of many of the wild plants that remain; its ecological value in this regard is tremendous.
Honey bees are the sole source of honey and beeswax, a fine wax with unusual qualities. Honey bees also produce propolis, a gummy substance made from tree sap that has antibacterial properties, and royal jelly and pollen for human consumption. Honey bee venom is extracted for the production of antivenom therapy and is being investigated as a treatment for several serious diseases of the muscles, connective tissue, and immune system, including multiple sclerosis and arthritis.
Looking forward to taking off some early honey in late June.
