Installing a new queen

We requeened a few of our hives this weekend. We buy our queens from a local supplier. I took a short video showing how we install the queen cage. You can see the bees immediately smell the queen and come towards the cage to release her. The tip of the cage is full of fondant. The worker bees will eat through this and release the queen into the hive. We usually go back in 24 hours to check and see if the queen has been released. If not, we open up the cage and set her free into the hive. The next week will be crucial to make sure that she is fully accepted and will begin laying eggs. It is best to leave the hive alone for the next 7-10 days.

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Painting hives

So my husband and I spent some time this weekend assembling and painting new hive bodies.  We buy our hive bodies unpainted and unassembled to keep costs down.  We use 9 5/8″ deep bodies for the brood chambers and 6 5/8″ shallow supers for honey.

Assembled and ready for paint.

More hive bodies waiting for paint.

Instead of using plain white, I like to add a little color to my hives.  I’m using Glidden exterior water-based paint in a satin finish, color called Pistachio Ice Cream.  White or light pastel colors are best so that the hives don’t get too hot sitting in the sun.

All done for now.  More hives are on the way.