Honey Labs

Once the honey flow start, we will be bottling and distributing to our friend s and family under the "Honey Labs" label. Top management of honeyy labs, can been seen supervising the hive.

After exchanging email with John the Bee Mentor, I did reinstall the top feeder. We had taken the top feeder off a few weeks ago and were only feeding via the front feeder. As you know from previous posts, they have been eating alot lately. John mentioned due to the rain, that alot of pollen ahd been washed away and his foragers where not coming back with as much pollen. Appears to be a catch 22- bee need and want a heavy pollen season, and those who suffer from seasonal allergies want the rain to wash it away.

We had additional visitors to the hive today, our friends Tom and Gig came to take a look this afternoon. Tom suited up, while Gigi watched from a close distance.

Karen and I have been watching the guard bees with great interest. For the past 2 or 3 years a few bumble bees have lived in our yard. Bumble bees are very large and just bumble around. In recent days, "Bumble" has been making attempts to enter the hive. Every time he is met by the guard bees and bounced from the area. Howver yesterday afternoon, he must have made it in the door for a few minutes, because Karen saw an enourmous spike in noise, and activity from the hive. Then hundreds of bees started flying around the hive; it took close to an hour for the hive to calm down and activity to return to normal. What ever occured, "Bumble" wasnt harmed, and has been trying all day to enter the hive. I guess the yellow box, looks more appealing than his hole in the ground near the herb garden.

Overall the bees are looking good. They are still building out the brood frames. No activity in the Ross Rounds. Warm day (low 80's) and clear in the late morning and afternoon.