Best of luck to the bee queen! And this also answered the questions I had, particularly why you needed new queens and not just got them from the next beekeeper, als the German beekeepers I know do it. So, also the best of luck to a future wintering!
I'm hoping this is the start of an era where local bees and queens are easier to find. Beekeeping is becoming really popular in this area, so I'm sure people will be willing to meet this need. (Heck, I would if I wasn't still a clueless beginner! :D)
I keep my fingers crossed for you! I thought about keeping bees for a while, but after following my friend's adventures since two years now I decided against it - I /we wouldn't manage. And we are already having several varieties of wild bees and two bumblebees in the garden, so we're rather cultivating them and their dietary needs, which is much simpler but also important, of course.
Wild bees are awesome! It's great that you're providing a habitat and food for them. :)
This is our fourth year with bees. It's been challenging; our first colony was actually our easiest (and even overwintered once successfully!). Last year's colony absconded, and this year has been adventures with queening (however, this year's bees are bringing in a ton of pollen and nectar, so if we get it queened, we should have a good run).
I love messing with the bees, but come the blazing hot 35+-degree days in July and August, putting on a bee suit and dealing with angry bees is not something I usually feel like doing! :D They are another animal to take care of and not always a cheap one either ... :^/
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not just got them from the next beekeeper
I'm hoping this is the start of an era where local bees and queens are easier to find. Beekeeping is becoming really popular in this area, so I'm sure people will be willing to meet this need. (Heck, I would if I wasn't still a clueless beginner! :D)
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This is our fourth year with bees. It's been challenging; our first colony was actually our easiest (and even overwintered once successfully!). Last year's colony absconded, and this year has been adventures with queening (however, this year's bees are bringing in a ton of pollen and nectar, so if we get it queened, we should have a good run).
I love messing with the bees, but come the blazing hot 35+-degree days in July and August, putting on a bee suit and dealing with angry bees is not something I usually feel like doing! :D They are another animal to take care of and not always a cheap one either ... :^/
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