🐝💗Our Backyard Beekeeping Journey!💗🐝

[drstratton]

After we watched bees draw comb on empty frames, we understood what they said at our bee club: The Queen is the queen, but comb is king.

It's pretty amazing.
Speaking of watching bees. My birthday is coming up and I put a bee...lol into my husbands ear about wanting an observation hive. I will use it as our resource hive. I think it would be so awesome.

 

[drstratton]

Please tell us about that! I *think* that may have been why one of our hives swarmed....?

That could be. Space management is key in keeping those girls happy. If the queen feels like she's running out of room, she packs her bags and leaves...lol That being said, some breeds are more prone to swarming. We're planning on using the demaree method for swarm control next year, hopefully we can make it through winter with healthy bees and then make it through swarm season with strong hives.
I'll share what we found, but I will also need to research a bit. I don't want to share information based on my supposition.

 

[Apis mellifera]

Wait a minute... you ate them?

Yes, they are a delicacy in other countries. I keep toothpicks in my beekeeping bucket when I get the urge. Overseas honeydew honey is also something we aren't familiar with in the US. But as the Spotted Lanternfly spreads people will get to know it. Research just came out that samples of Spotted Lanternfly honeydew honey from PA and NJ have medicinal properties that blow away Manuka honey from New Zealand.

 

[drstratton]

Yes, they are a delicacy in other countries. I keep toothpicks in my beekeeping bucket when I get the urge. Overseas honeydew honey is also something we aren't familiar with in the US. But as the Spotted Lanternfly spreads people will get to know it. Research just came out that samples of Spotted Lanternfly honeydew honey from PA and NJ have medicinal properties that blow away Manuka honey from New Zealand.

Thank you so much for sharing this information.

 

[Sally PB]

Yes, they are a delicacy in other countries.

So... I'm curious... what do they taste like?

 

[Apis mellifera]

So... I'm curious... what do they taste like?

Kind of creamy, nutty flavor with a bit of sweet. I once had another beekeeper say to me, he now knows why bears go after the brood. Although, when I was hit by a bear, I got lucky, and she went for a honey super.

 

[drstratton]

Kind of creamy, nutty flavor with a bit of sweet. I once had another beekeeper say to me, he now knows why bears go after the brood. Although, when I was hit by a bear, I got lucky, and she went for a honey super.

That would have been terrifying! So glad you're still here to tell the tale. Also thankful we don't have bears where I live...lol

 

[N F C]

Wow, thank you Debby, I've never thought of myself as any type of writer. I just love to share.
Do you think a synopsis of what I've written?
Now I'm a little nervous...lol
Maybe label it:
Basic Beekeeping and Terminology?

The basic beekeeping & terminology would be great! Even just the terminology would be a place to start.

All of this is just an idea...please don't be nervous or feel like you have to do anything you don't want.

 

[drstratton]

The basic beekeeping & terminology would be great! Even just the terminology would be a place to start.

All of this is just an idea...please don't be nervous or feel like you have to do anything you don't want.

Thank you Debby. I've actually already started working on it. It’s the combo of beekeeping & terminology. Is there any way you can look at it before it's published. I'm not sure if I'm putting in too much information. I'm separating it into sections. There is so much information that goes with explaining the terminology.

 

[N F C]

Thank you Debby. I've actually already started working on it. It’s the combo of beekeeping & terminology. Is there any way you can look at it before it's published. I'm not sure if I'm putting in too much information. I'm separating it into sections. There is so much information that goes with explaining the terminology.

I'll go take a peek!