Nothing lifts February gloom drdddddddrdddddddxddddddfor a beekeeper quite like the sight of bees buzzing at the entrance of a hive.
And this year that sight was greeted with even more enthusiasm. It means that our bees could have a fighting chance of surviving the winter.
Iowa, like most of the rest of the country, had just seen record-setting cold from a polar vortex that just didn’t want to move on. Temps plummeted and wind chills crashed to 30 and 40 degrees below zero. Not fit for humans. Or honey bees.
I knew we had done all that we could for the bees last fall to help survive an Iowa winter.
- Reduced entrance opening – check
- Black plastic “quilt” wrapped around hive box – check.
- Insulated board under top cover – check.
- Plenty of honey and a winter patty on top of frames – check.
But still, would it be enough for these hives? The bees cluster in a large ball in colder temperatures, shaking their bodies to create enough heat to keep the queen alive. Their goal is to keep her at a steady temp of about 90 degrees, quite the task!
So this week when temps warmed to the mid-40s, the bees broke cluster and left the hive to stretch their wings. What a glorious sight!
I wanted to congratulate these happy-looking bees. Well done! Enjoy this weather, you deserve it!
They were buzzing about. Some landed on snow, getting a drink. Many others must have been heaving sighs of relief, at least from the many dots of bee poop that dotted the snow surrounding the hives.
I know they’re not out of the woods yet. Many hives die in February and March from starvation and moisture buildup in the hive caused by fluctuating temperatures.
I’ll be checking their food supplies as weather permits. And I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for moderating temperatures.
It’s a good sign to see the bees, a sign of hope. And that’s what spring is all about.
Bee Lady Honey 