Here is a great link from a beekeeping exam about the bee waggle dance. I personally think the student should get full points for creativity.
http://myrmecos.net/2011/08/09/the-bee-dance-language-explained-at-last/
Tag Archives: beekeeping
It’s hot outside…
Since I haven’t hooked up AC to the hives, the girls will have to take care of the air flow themselves. Below is a photo of fanning behavior to help regulate the hive temperature.
Filed under beekeeping
Fantastic Mr. Fox
While I was suiting up to inspect Knives, a family of four foxes wandered up to the fence line of Baab-Brock farms. This area is known for its fox population even though it is within walking distance of downtown.
We only managed to capture one of the four on film. Here it is admiring the ink work on Knives’ hive.
Here is a closer shot.
I really wish we could have snapped a photo of the baby foxes, but they were hiding in the brush, and we couldn’t get a good shot. They were awfully cute though.
Filed under beekeeping
Blueberry Corn Pancakes
In my mind, nothing goes better with honey than corn bread, but to me this isn’t a very breakfasty type food. Luckily, I found this recipe for delicious blueberry cornmeal pancakes.
Recipe:
Combine 1 1/2 cup cornmeal, 1/4 cup whole wheat flour, 1 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp salt in a medium bowl. In a small bowl, combine 2 TBS honey, 2 TBS oil, 2 cups buttermilk, and 1 egg. Stir well and then quickly mix into the dry ingredients. Let stand for 10 minutes to soften the cornmeal. Preheat griddle or large heavy skillet. Lightly grease the hot griddle and pour on the batter about 1/4 cup per pancake. Then sprinkle the top with blueberries and cook until the tops are bubbly. Turn and cook into golden on the other side. Cover with honey and put them in your craw!
Brushy Mountain IPM Webinar
This is short notice, but Brushy Mountain Bee Farm is having a webinar on Integrated Pest Management on August 4th at 7:30 pm EST. You need to register to attend, so if you are interested, Click Here.
Filed under beekeeping, education
An Open Letter to Tropical Storm Don
Dear Don,
It is not too late to swing north and bring Austin some rain. We are really hot and would love to have some flowers bloom. You have no idea what it is like to wake up every morning to thousands of hungry babies. We can’t even hear ourselves think anymore with all the racket.
Love,
Marge & Knives
Filed under beekeeping, Fun
Knives is on Fire!
Queen Knives has settled in nicely and is an egg laying machine. She had great capped brood patterns and several nice frames of cells with eggs.
The second super had 6 frames completely drawn out with the 7th one almost done. I decided to add the third super to give them the space to build out as Knives definitely seems up to the task.
Filed under beekeeping
Ramona vs. Knives Commemorative Super
With Queen Knives recent ascension to power, our whole evil-ex super concept got thrown off. We will still add the evil-ex supers as needed, but decided to pay respects to Ramona by creating a super that depicts the epic battle between Ramona and Knives from the comic. We like to think this is what went down in the hive as well.
Thanks to the camera team for their drawing, inking, and lettering skills.
Filed under beekeeping, equipment, Fun
When life gives you 100 degree weather, melt wax.
The one good thing about the hot and dry weather here in Austin is the ease of melting wax in my homemade solar wax melter. It doesn’t hold a lot of wax, but with every day being hot and sunny, I can process a lot of small batches. Here is the before shot.
If you want to review how I made this contraption, check out this previous post.
Filed under beekeeping, equipment
At least it isn’t a bear…
Most beekeepers (especially urban beekeepers) usually worry about the pests that live inside the hive like small hive beetles and varroa mites. We now have documented evidence that a skunk has taken up residence in the beeyard.
Skunks can be a major problem for beekeepers as they like to eat bees and their thick fur protects them from stings. A single skunk can really damage a colony in just a single evening. So far I haven’t seen any signs that this particular skunk has been bothering the hives, but I am going to take some precautionary measures.
Elevated hive stands help as it forces the skunk to expose its underbelly to reach the hive entrance. My hives are on stands, but they are not that far off the ground so I’m not sure how much good it will do. I think I’m going to try a product they sell to deter cats from areas in your yard. Hopefully these spiky mats will prevent the skunk from investigating the hives and deciding they are a great all you can eat buffet.
Filed under beekeeping, pests
Urban Beekeeping in Austin, Texas 