I don’t have a swarm- the idea is to stop 'em from swarming. Basically, if you catch them [del]packing tiny suitcases[/del] starting to rear a new queen, they’re gonna swarm, which is basically the colony’s way of breeding, unless you stop 'em. You can stop 'em, by splitting the colony yourself, but only if you’re in time.
It takes 9 days from the time an egg is laid in a queen cell (much bigger and obviously differently shaped to the normal honeycomb cells that’ll hatch into workers), 'til the larva is sealed in to finish off pupating, at which point the old queen decides her work there is done and pushes off, taking most of the flying bees with her. This means you need to thoroughly check through the hive every 7-9 days during, in this area, April-July. If you don’t, and you’re unlucky, half your bees have now left, and are now happily moving into a neighbour’s chimney or wall cavity or car and generally improving your popularity in the area.
Today was the 10th day since my last check (friend originally was arranged to help yesterday, but it was absolutely chucking it down). Already a bit risky, I couldn’t really put it off another day.
My current queen hatched over a year ago, and the colony is a good big strong one, so I was fully expecting them to try swarm this year. But, the season ends in a few week, and they’re already starting to kick out the males, which is a good sign that they think breeding season is over. Fingers crossed, because moving house with one bee hive is gonna be daft enough without having to bring two.
So endeth the lecture.
As it happens, it was OK. It was heavy, but it didn’t seem to be causing too much wrist trouble. And heavy is kinda good, that means I may actually get to harvest honey this year, hooray!
Howdy Y’all! I have been to Dawson to visit JDD’s folks and taken care of a bunch of errands. Dindin shall be majik intartoobz pizza and sallit. I have also been informed that tomorrow we shall dine at the not too shabby Chinese [del]hog trough[/del] buffet due to a gnawin’ and a cravin’ on the part of OYKW. He’s buyin’ so I’m eatin’!
baker, I’m a fan of locally owned indy food establishments. Even if the meal isn’t five star, it’s usually interesting.
**{{{doggio}}}
{{{boofae and shadow}}}**
Today was a fairly busy day at irk, following a couple of slow days that saw a lot of side irk done. I’m giving reconnendations to two friends for positions in the company. Should they stay for one year, I will see a considerable bonus. Time to do the dishes and putter in teh studio.
My new tablet was delivered today, except no one was here to sign for it, so FedEx just left me a note. I tried to arrange to have it delivered on Firday - no way to do that on line. However, **FCD **will be home tomorrow, and with luck, he’ll hear the doorbell if he’s in the basement.
Once I get it set up, I’ll start downloading reading material for our cruise. Yay!
Today was day 2 of heat wave, which means it was 90°+; at 7:30ish (so after the sun is not so high up anymore) there was a guy on the trail wearing shorts over tights, & a long sleeve top while riding his bike. Ummm, just how hot does it it need to be for him to wear a short sleeve top &/or just shorts? :smack:
Tomorrer they’re calling for 97° or 98° with 70%+ humidity; in other words, truly oppressive. Of course I have plans for tomorrow evening…4 different places I should be. How did I get 4 things in one night?
I shall now help the freezer by giving it more space to circulate air, while at the same time not dirtying a dish (just a spoon). Bye-bye ice cream, bye bye.
Dinner was BLs without the T since I don’t like the texture of T. I added horseradish sauce to mine. Doing another double tomorrow; today wasn’t too bad so I think I may be safe.
I worked, came home, walked Gordie. Getting the Volvo running tomorrow. Making Spicy Black Bean and fish Bachelor Chow for dinner. Everett’s obituary It really doesn’t do the man justice. As sick as he was last year, he still made it to the 0300 last call in Lawn Guyland.
“90% of Irish atheists believe in the Divinity of Jesus Christ” - Fr. Ingham.
Sunny, Alex won. But no surprise since she out-weighed the spider by 17 pounds.
Yay Alex! When I was growing up in Southern California, there some moths around that the cats would get buzzed off of when they ate them. They’d catch a moth, eat it, and then stagger around, crash into walls, and then lay down and stare into space for a few hours. Insect catnip!
Pepper had her first puppy class today. It was very intense. She got treats for answering to her name, and she played with her new friends. It’s hard to be a puppy!
We played Risk after dinner and it led to tears amongst the kids. We may be a bit too competitive to play Risk. While the kids were trying to kill each other, a bit too literally, my husband rolled over the board. :smack:
Wow - Thursday and we’re still just on page 2??? Not a very chatty week, is it?
For some unknown reason, my internal clock seems to think that 5-6 hours of sleep is plenty. Nothing like being wide awake at 3:30 in the dark of the AM…
But it’s my Firday and my tablet should come today. Depends on whether **FCD **hears the doorbell or not, since he’s planning to work in the basement. Failing that, I’ll be home tomorrow.
Meanwhile, I’ve got a few drawings in the in basket and 3 emails listing many drawings that need to be done, so it’ll be a busy day for sure. Happy Thursday!!
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 72 Amurrkin out and clear with a predicted high of 94 and mostly N.O.S. for the day. The bug man will be here at eight-thirty to do his monthly thing. After that I get to go see the vampires and then go to the Pubic Sto’ for foodstuffs. I’m hopin’ for some quality time at the cee-mint pond this afternoon bein’ as I haven’t had any all week.
Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then purtification must commence. One must look one’s best for one’s bug man after all.
Good morning all! Up and perky earlier than I have to be. At this point Saturday looks to he Hell and I already have plans to blow off the one shift I am scheduled for. I have the UPT so why the heck not? If the weather is good I am going riding and screw adulthood.
