Honeybees & blueberries

Freezing temps here this morning but the bees are working my blueberry bushes this afternoon.

Getting My Swarm Trap Ready !

One of my important early spring activities is checking my swarm traps.  I have one that is placed about 100 yards north of my bee yard.  I have caught a swarm in this trap every summer.  Sometimes it is a swarm that has left my own hives and at least once - it was a swarm from another apiary or a wild colony.  My swarm trap is made of an old weathered deep hive box with a nailed on top and bottom.  Ten Frames are inside the box and there are a few frames of old comb that will smell good to a bee and will not represent a real loss to me if they are destroyed. After the cold, windy weather -
I could see that the box had shifted and needed some attention.

 It is rare to get out to this box without being accompanied by the goats.  Who would have guessed that they knew so much about honeybee swarm traps ?! They certainly do not like the boxes that are full of bees !

Daisy is especially concerned that some of the frames must have too much propolis or (bee glue) on the ends to fit properly in the box. As for me, I feel that old frames are especially attractive to scout bees.  Scout bees leave the mother colony in advance of a swarm and select possible new home sites. Blake has become bored with the whole process and laid down to rest.  Daisy and I finish putting the box back up in the tree.  It is only about 6 ft off the ground but I have to place it low enough that I can get it down later when bees/honey are inside. 

All finished and ready for Spring.  I will need to walk by this box every week during the swarm season.  If a colony moves in,   I will remove it quickly or it will be so heavy I will not be able to get it down without help !

We have just finished and a scout bee is already checking it out !

Cleaning Your Smoker - a serious beekeeping tool.

I use natural local dry pine needles in my bee smokers.  Over the course of the season they can get quite grungy and the lids don't close well !

 

The top may get so clogged with soot that air flow is restricted or stopped completely.

First, I removed the grates from the bottom of the smoker and will set them aside.



















Using a propane torch I actually set the sooty residue on fire.  Being VERY careful of burns or fire !!

 

I repeatedly apply the torch to the congested area to get a good burn going.  This is hot people, be careful. Do not let the fire or torch come into contact with the wooden parts or plastic/leather bellows - or yourself.
 In a few minutes the flames will get lower as the resin is burned out of the soot.

You will notice the change of appearance.  We have some black residue still but also some white ash. Let this cool - let this cool - let this cool - get the picture !

 

You did let it cool right ?  Now take a hive tool or screw driver and scape the residue off.  It will flake away rather easily,

 

Be sure to clean well around the inside rim of the hood where it fits the body.

 

 

 Be sure to clean well around the outside of the smoker where the lid fits.

My Dadant smoker has a small hole in the bottom of the bellows.  It is notorious for getting clogged up and I have to take it off the smoker and clear the hole.

Ahh,, all I need now is a handful of dry pine needles, a match and a warm day to work bees !  :)