Feeding the Bees - September 21, 2017

Today I fed the bees.  Beeatrice still had about 1/4-1/3 of a pail full of syrup, so I topped hers off.  Penelobee's was totally gone so I re-filled hers!  Here's a video from the day.

Day 21 of 21-Day Mite Treatment, + Fall Feeding!

Today marked day 21 of our 21 day mite treatment using MAQS! Now that we're done with the strips, we're clear to start feeding the bees for fall! Today was a quick visit with the bees...I just took off the strips and put on the feeder pails (filled with 2:1 sugar syrup).  Here's a video from today...watch below or click here to view on my YouTube channel!

Checking the Bees: Day 14 of 21-day Mite Treatment!

Today marked the 14th day of our 21 day treatment using MAQS (Mite Away Quick Strips)!  Today's task was simply to remove the old strips (optional, but they get crusty and gross so we remove them), and replace with a new strip.  These will remain on the hives now until next week, when I'll go back on day 21 to remove them and start some heavy feeding for fall!

Scraping off some extra wax

Nice ball of wax today from inner covers and a few frames!

Here's a video of what I did today!

Bee sure to stop in again next week! :-)

Minnesota State Fair!

If you live in Minnesota, you have to go to the state fair. And if you are a beekeeper, you of course have to check out the honey and bee exhibits!

 
As an artist as well, I of course love to check out all the bee themed art! This year it was SO fun to see this gorgeous piece, done by my very talented niece, Lucia!!

And speaking of art, inside the Honey and Bee building there is a painting that has been hanging there for as long as I can remember, painted by my mom, of my dad! 

Painting by my mom Rollie Brandt of my dad, Phil Brandt

Mom says, "Yup a professor bought that original for $100 and donated it to the fair. They hang it every year! That was back before Dad could afford a full bee suit! He just had the hat!" We always stop and check out Dad hanging on the wall in the bee building!


It's always such a cool sight to see all the beautiful jars of honey on display!

 Gotta pose in the photo cutout boards....awe, my boys are such good sports!

Next year I hope to actually enter some art in the fair! This year I was out of town on entry day, so hopefully 2018 will work out! :-)