We were able to snatch an hour this afternoon to do a hive inspection at a sponsor's property in Willow Springs. The weather was perfect for bee-keeping; warm, sunny and with a light breeze. Typically, Mike does most of his inspections alone, but today, I (Joanne) was able to go with and I brought my camera!
When Mike got into the hives, we saw some wonderful things. The first hive we went into was going gang-busters! They had 3 boxes on their hive, excellent brood pattern, and were even starting to store honey! It was a good thing we went when we did because they were just about to run out of room. We added a 4th box to the hive. If all continues to go well, we should be able to harvest honey from that hive.
The second hive we looked at wasn't as far along as the first hive, but it too was doing very well. The queen had excellent brood pattern, there was plenty of larvae and they were just starting to add some honey stores. This hive had been behind the other one for a while, so it only has 3 boxes on the hive so far.
There is a 3rd hive at the site; for the time being it is empty. We have a nucleus hive on order that we will be putting in once it arrives.
Reminder! If you're in the Chicago area and you want us to notify you when we have local honey available for purchase, please click HERE and fill out the form!
When Mike got into the hives, we saw some wonderful things. The first hive we went into was going gang-busters! They had 3 boxes on their hive, excellent brood pattern, and were even starting to store honey! It was a good thing we went when we did because they were just about to run out of room. We added a 4th box to the hive. If all continues to go well, we should be able to harvest honey from that hive.
The second hive we looked at wasn't as far along as the first hive, but it too was doing very well. The queen had excellent brood pattern, there was plenty of larvae and they were just starting to add some honey stores. This hive had been behind the other one for a while, so it only has 3 boxes on the hive so far.
There is a 3rd hive at the site; for the time being it is empty. We have a nucleus hive on order that we will be putting in once it arrives.
Reminder! If you're in the Chicago area and you want us to notify you when we have local honey available for purchase, please click HERE and fill out the form!