How it all started
I grew up on a homestead, where we raised some of our own produce. Gardening was a way of life for us. We had free range chickens, who were more like pets to us than livestock. Each had their own name, and we knew their unique personalities.
In time, my dad decided he’d like to get bees. His birthday was coming up, and we decided it was the perfect time to surprise him with BEES! We had $500 to spend. He decided to get four colonies. He found a guy selling them for $125 each. And you guessed it, he used all $500 to get four colonies, leaving him no money left to get anything else. No suit, no veil, no smoker, not even a hive tool.
Each hive was a double deep box, with a feeder. The colonies were booming. Too booming. Before long, we had swarms. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Bringing home the bees
This journey was exciting for our whole family. We all took our cargo van and a trailer to go get them. We were thrilled we’d have bees. I don’t think we had a clue how little we knew about beekeeping.
When we got there, I remember being a bit nervous. How could I walk into a man’s backyard, with more than 30 hives of STINGING INSECTS, and not be attacked? I didn’t understand it. But it was time to go. We got out, and cautiously walked into the bee yard. The gentleman we were purchasing them from smoked, ordinarily nothing noteworthy. But what surprised me, was that he would take his cigarette out of his mouth, and proceeded to wave it in front of the entrance to smoke the bees. Who knew? (This isn’t a practice I’d recommend, but it worked.)
The more I learn about beekeeping, the more I see there are many ways to accomplish the same thing, and sometimes it really doesn’t matter what approach you take. Other times, it actually can be very important as “alternative” practices can be harmful to the bees.
At 13 years old, I was excited and wanted to learn all I could about beekeeping. After all, I was saving for my own hive someday. So when I got stung on my wrist, I proceeded to take out the stinger, and then I didn’t know what to do beyond that. I eventually bit my wrist quite hard thinking somehow this would help. (Again, not something I’d recommend.)
My dad picked out four hives he thought were strong, and they loaded them up in the trailer. We moved them at night so they wouldn’t be flying. They wrapped ratchet straps around the hives, and thought that would be enough… and it was- for three of them. That fourth hive slip around and opened, so in the middle of the night, my dad went and put it back together, with no suit. I don’t know how many times he got stung that first night.
We got them home, and set them in our newly cleared bee yard. We were SO excited by them. I remember waking up that next morning, and rushing out to see them. My younger brother stuck his eye right up to the entrance hole looking in. We had to tell him they could sting him. He seemed to have no fear.
Everything went well. A neighbor and dear friend of ours came up, with his two sons, and they helped teach us the ropes. Did I mention this neighbor and friend is very allergic to bee stings? You know that’s a good friend when they are willing to be stung to help you out even though they are allergic.
Paint scrapers and pocket knives became hive tools, sweat shirts and window screen became a bee jacket. And 2” lumber nailed together became boxes. You read that right- there was nowhere for frames to hang, so that setup became a simple cutout needing to be done.
The hives were so healthy they almost immediately swarmed. We lost so many of our roughly 20’ tamarack trees because a swarm decided it was the perfect place to rest. My dad had to catch as many as possible.
I kept getting bees caught in my long hair, so I took a white bandana to cover my hair when it was put up in a bun. It kept them out of my hair, but created the perfect spot for them to get stuck between my head and ears. That bandana didn’t last for long.
My own hive
I worked the bees with him, and he gave each one of us a hive. I chose a big, healthy hive. (For a bit more of the story, see my Father’s Day post: https://agirlandherbees.com/dad-gives-daughter-beehive/
At 14, I became the proud owner of my very own beehive.
Twelve years later
Twelve years have gone by since we brought home those first four beehives. Most years I’ve kept bees. The two or three years I didn’t have any, something just didn’t feel right. A part of who I am was just missing. I’ve learned so much during that time. I’ve also acquired a few of the “right” tools. I have a standard canvass suit with a fencing veil from Mann Lake. I have a wonderful, breathable, extremely lightweight jacket from another great company, ComfortPro. My cheep hive tool from North 40 (bought back when it was still Big R) is still the one I use. It’s seen much wear and tear, but still works just fine. Same with the gloves I got at the same time. (For links to these items and more, see my post. I do not benefit in any way by recommending these products. https://agirlandherbees.com/helpful-resources/ ) I have seven hives of my own now, and am raising a batch of queens as I type this. https://agirlandherbees.com/my-apiary-today/ My dad still has a hive, and it is doing well.
My hope for this blog, and my accompanying YouTube channel is to share what I’ve learned, the funny situations I find myself in, and the mistakes I’ve made. I hope you are blessed by it.