Today's video brings me so much joy!
For any of you following our Natural Beekeeping journey, you know that we recently caught a swarm on our land in one of our Swarm boxes! Super exciting news!!
In the vlog, Ini shares the Next Steps, namely closing up the box and relocating it for at least a week over 5 miles away...
I have taken down the first (of many I hope) honeybee swarms that we've caught in our cedar swarm traps. We were blessed with a swarm within 36 hours of hanging it and are so happy about the success. A fine new home for these bees smelling of lemongrass and propolis.
The video takes place 15 feet up a tree and is up close and personal with the swarm.
As sunset approaches, the last of the foragers are returning to the box. The next step now that we have attracted a swarm is to move the hive to its final location. Because it is so close to the current location, we have to move its several miles so the bees will reset their orientation. Otherwise if we move it only a short distance the bees will become disoriented=not good.
The first step is to turn the openings to the vent only setting so the bees can be safely moved. I then must carry the whole box down the ladder and drive the box to our mentor's house for a week long visit. Next week I'll bring it back and will place it in its final location in our apiary!! We'll be preparing the space for it before then.
Exited to hear and feel the buzz of the hive.
It's a great reminded of the power of nature, how strong an organism the honeybee colony is and of the wonders of life. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to work with honey bees and are hoping to catch more swarms in the other 4 boxes we have around the county. What a blessing!!
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