Wrapped and Ready

Let it snow!!!

.

…..None too soon !!

It had crossed my mind that being a bee keeper may also require a few bee stings along the way. I tried to put it out of my mind or at least aside as I got to know and love my bees. After all I was protected by my suit right? Even after my friend told me her angry bees stung her right through the suit I just did not think about it -I was prepared , had my suit, gloves and my 500$ Epi pens.  As the season wore on and I spent so much time observing and caring  for my Bees I (naively? ) thought they recognize me as their kind, benefactor/beekeeper.  So I can say with a deep breathe I was not stung all season well almost . So It was a good season the bees built 2 strong hives, appeared healthy and produced lots of honey for all of us.  Winter in upstate new york can be harsh and snowy.  Our Bees are located in a field with west and north exposure and not too much natural wind and weather block ( … we are working on that but..).   The Beekeeper club and my mentor recommended that we wrap the hives in roofing felt , add mouse guard and some insulation  inside the top cover.  I talked with my mentor, went to the club meeting and viewed overwhelming information and videos on you tube .. easy but confusing every one seems to have a different opinion and does it differently. Some is related to local weather and locations of hives. So One sunny day in mid November I wrapped my hive in 15 weight roof paper making cuts and openings for the entrances on the bottom and top and staple it to the hive and staple it to the hive.   Wrapped and ready cold weather coming the next day!!  … whoops Martin said I should add a empty super with board insulation to the top of the hive .  Okay , It was very cold now but I cut some green board insulation and jammed it into a super  box.  I am feeling like I don’t know what I am doing, how far down do I put the insulation?  I leave a couple inches at the bottom of the board .. Thinking air insulates too  and close up the hive again  Should I wrap the new top boxes too .. Oh poor Martin.. another stupid question from me. Yes Jenny, wrap the top too. So I go back out with Joe for some more wrapping . Now they are ready! I begin to think about what I have heard and read everywhere about Bees in the winter.  Cold sometimes kills bees but wet and cold always kills bees. Ventilation is important as they keep the hive warm 95 and the cold outside makes moisture that needs a way out to keep bees dry. Bees in the winter form a large ball with the queen inside of it. They take turns being on the outside rotating in to keep warm.  Okay now I am worried about that piece of insulation I put in there– hows is the moisture going to get out?  So another text to Martin – Should the insulation have a hole in the top?  Yes Jenny …..ohhhhh . Now it is really cold and snowing. .. but wet kills the bees so  I think I will open the top carefully sliding it half off and use Joe’s hole saw bit by hand .. and I will be in and out quick as to keep the bees as warm as possible . I don’t think I need a bee suit they are very inactive  so out I go with winter coat and gloves.  It goes so well a nice little hole, pretty quick, Hive 1 ,Hive 2 , close it up Now I am ready!!!!  I notice that there are a lot of dead bees which is normal but with the mouse guard I can not sweep them away so I put my head down and blow across the entrance to get rid of the dead bees and open up the entrance for them … Whoa some angry guard bee comes flying out buzzing my head and gets stuck in my hair? I run take off my coat and scarf  to cover my head … when I feel it…  I think I got stung right it the back of my head .    Oh No .     Those Bees take care of business and  protecting their hive is their major business.    Have a warm, dry and safe winter bee friends see ya in the early spring.