My bees were shipped today (supposedly), so I expect to get them either tomorrow or the day after. I ended up ordering a package from Pigeon Mountain Trading Company out of north Georgia.
Daddy and I spent part of the afternoon moving my hive from where I had set it up (too much in the shade--like completely in the shade) to a better spot. Yesterday Daddy got the frames fixed up with a strip of wood from the top to give the bees something to work off of since I'm going foundationless.
Upon further reading, I think I am ready to address myself to installing my package of bees. I'm a wee bit nervous and so grateful that tomorrow is supposed to be fairly cool--which will cause the bees to be even more docile than they might otherwise be.
I made myself a hat net yesterday since I didn't buy any protective gear. You may raise your eyebrows and open your eyes wide, but when I saw that the stuff is simply cotton suits and net and generally leather gloves, I figured I could do without spending the extra money for "special" gear and just wear jeans, a long sleeve shirt, my leather gloves (probably rubber banded down over my sleeves), and my cowboy hat with a net over it. That is why I took a piece of netting yesterday and made a net to drape over my hat. I think I had better go put a ribbon through my hat like on my old hat so I can tie it on in case the wind is kicking like it is today when I need to wear it.
At any rate, I look forward to the adventure!
Daddy and I spent part of the afternoon moving my hive from where I had set it up (too much in the shade--like completely in the shade) to a better spot. Yesterday Daddy got the frames fixed up with a strip of wood from the top to give the bees something to work off of since I'm going foundationless.
Upon further reading, I think I am ready to address myself to installing my package of bees. I'm a wee bit nervous and so grateful that tomorrow is supposed to be fairly cool--which will cause the bees to be even more docile than they might otherwise be.
I made myself a hat net yesterday since I didn't buy any protective gear. You may raise your eyebrows and open your eyes wide, but when I saw that the stuff is simply cotton suits and net and generally leather gloves, I figured I could do without spending the extra money for "special" gear and just wear jeans, a long sleeve shirt, my leather gloves (probably rubber banded down over my sleeves), and my cowboy hat with a net over it. That is why I took a piece of netting yesterday and made a net to drape over my hat. I think I had better go put a ribbon through my hat like on my old hat so I can tie it on in case the wind is kicking like it is today when I need to wear it.
At any rate, I look forward to the adventure!