Maine

[Widget]

Thanks for the reassurance. I was a bit worried they'd just say "no thanks, lady" after all the work I've done and fly off. But they're still out there.

What do you use for mite control?

You would have to ask that. Um I think it was Apiguard that I used last fall. Haven't done anything this year. In fact I haven't even disturbed the hive. They are so active that I haven't been too concerned especially since I have so much else to do around the house this spring.

 

[CoopChick719]

Thank you hoppy! The poor little thing passed.

Thank you bucka. Sorry about your hen. It's never easy!

I did the old bait & switch with the Sizzles and their unhatched eggs tonight. Gotta get up early to check on everyone's progress!

 

[CoopChick719]

Love the bee suit pic! I think the caption should be "A watched hive ...."

 

[lazy gardener]

how cool is that!!! I'm truly impressed. How often do you get stung in a season?

 

[Widget]

how cool is that!!! I'm truly impressed. How often do you get stung in a season?

In three years I have been stung only once. Keep in mind the only thing I wear is the veil. No suit, no gloves and short sleeves. Usually if you move slow and careful the bees don't get agitated enough to defend the hive. With the smoker you get them thinking that there is a fire and that they need to get ready to evacuate so they are more concerned with that than you.

 

[buckabucka]

The bee photos are fun to see. DH thinks they may have all come out because it was so hot yesterday. Like Widget, he rarely wore the bee suit. Once in a while he would get a sting. The time he got 3 stings was the time he gently squished a mosquito on his arm. The dead body fell into the hive and they erupted. That was also the day he came in while I was rolling paint on the walls and said, "I feel kind of funny" and our harrowing ride to the hospital.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

The bee photos are fun to see. DH thinks they may have all come out because it was so hot yesterday. Like Widget, he rarely wore the bee suit. Once in a while he would get a sting. The time he got 3 stings was the time he gently squished a mosquito on his arm. The dead body fell into the hive and they erupted. That was also the day he came in while I was rolling paint on the walls and said, "I feel kind of funny" and our harrowing ride to the hospital.

I kept an epi pen in the pocket of my suit. I will continue to do so.

 

[Widget]

I kept an epi pen in the pocket of my suit. I will continue to do so.

I have the liquid children's benadryl on hand. I'm not allergic to the stings but it does help with the reaction if I do get stung.

 

[MustardTiger]

So much going on for all. Bees are really interesting. I hope to get some next year. It seems intimidating.

The garden is 99% in! Today we got up early and were out there at 7am to beat the heat and get the peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, cukes, pumpkin and zuchini in. Now all I have left to plant are succession lettuce, radishes and beans and some watermelons. We have no room left for anything so I am going to have to be creative.

Yesterday we finished up the tractor and moved the Meaties outside. They are probably about one month old now and they did fine out there in the shade and stayed out all night. They seem to enjoy it.







We are going to shingle the roof of the tractor with some left overs we found in the shed from when the previous owners had the roof redone.

I can't get over the Turkeys. I am quite in love with them. This is the first time we have done meat birds and even the red rangers freak me out. They are so huge already. I may just stick with dual purpose birds in the future depending on how these guys turn out. They still feel a little franken-bird to me.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

What a cute tractor!

I'm pretty smitten with turkeys, too. My upstairs turkeys are really stinking and are working on throwing all their shavings onto the floor on an hourly basis, but when you look into their big eyes, you can't help falling in love with them.


Those of you considering bees, take a class. I took the one from Knox-Lincoln County Beekeepers Association which was in Thomaston one night a week for 6 weeks. It was about an hour drive from me here near Augusta, but it was only once a week and worth it. There are many other classes across the state, especially down south.