Mastodawn

Here's how this works. Some beekeeper without any bees (died off, or just dishonest) goes to a farmer and says "I have 20 beehives to pollinate your farm... pay me $$$$ upfront in cash and I'll move them here!" That dollar figure is half what other beekeepers charge. The dishonest beekeeper goes to a random orchard, LOADS UP SOMEONE ELSE'S BEES from another farm n the middle of the night, which is the usual... and moves it to that new farm. So, the original beekeeper no longer has any idea of where his bees went, the farm they contracted with has no bees, and the dishonest beekeeper abandons the stolen bees, having obtained cash upfront from some farmer.

#beekeeping #crime

AI6YR Ben 1d ago

Criminal beekeepers in Australia (have them here in California, too.)

Gizmodo: Police Looking for Jerks Who Allegedly Stole $150,000 Worth of Beehives

https://gizmodo.com/police-looking-for-jerks-who-allegedly-stole-150000-worth-of-beehives-2000755716?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

#beekeeping #beehives #crime

Police Looking for Jerks Who Allegedly Stole $150,000 Worth of Beehives

Bee theft has “escalated” into a million-dollar black market, beekeeper associations warn.

Gizmodo

bees and nature 1d ago

Not impressed with Sherriff bee suits. Ordered a new suit 6 weeks ago Saturday, told 3 to 4 weeks. Just phoned for a progress report, we have heard nothing, to be told they may be cutting them on Monday! At this rate they'll be here for next season. #beekeeping

bees and nature 1d ago

We didn't find the swarm in the hedge this morning but we did find a small feral colony in this birch tree. May even be where the swarm came from #beekeeping

bees and nature 1d ago

This is where the bees from the home apiary gather water, one of the many jobs worker bees undertake. There is plenty of wetter, cleaner sources around, including a stream which is nearer, but bees like mineral rich sources. These can include water with rotting leaves and the run off from the manure heap😳. Bees use water to cool the hive and also to dissolve set honey within the hive to make it edible. #beekeeping

AI6YR Ben 2d ago

Three new queens successfully laying. Will see how their brood compete against the SoCal ferals. 4 more ordered, we are replacing two queens regardless of their performance. (spicy!) #beekeeping

bees and nature 2d ago

This is a sad spot today for us. We have to move this apiary as the land owner died, fairly unexpectedly, last year and the farm is being sold. We had intended to move them to their new home tonight but closer inspection showed 3 leaking floors and 2 leaking boxes which need replacing before that can happen. It must happen soon as they need supers but it was too wet until now. #beekeeping

bees and nature 2d ago

Off out to a swarm we were told about yesterday evening. Should still be there as quite chilly. #beekeeping

MountainWitch ⛤

2d ago

My bee inspector is so awesome. I was low key freaking out because my double deep hive was completely full of bees but no queen cells even tho the drone cells are abundant and the dandelions are almost over their first flush and it's hot as hell now. I was worried that somehow it wasn't queen-right. But the inspector found that the hive was perfect, and he helped me do a walk-away split. So, in a week I check for queen cells in one of them, and in a month check for new eggs in that hive. He also explained the other possibilities, and how to deal in case something happens to my awesome current Queen. Hail to the Queen Bees and to the lovely experienced inspector that always makes me feel "not dumb"... 🐝 🐝 🐝
#beeks #beekeeping #homesteading

Tom 2d ago

The scene of the new beehive location. It's a little sunny in the morning, then shady underneath the white spruce tree (yes, it shoudn't grow here), and then a few hours of blazing hot sun in the afternoon. It's probably not colder in the winter but more exposed to any north wind. This will only be for new hives, too close to move existing ones easily.

#beekeeping #apiary