Whoah! So much has happened. Life must be good. The original two hives have now divided into 3 and there have been at least 4 swarms that were witnessed leaving Hive No. 2 (the strongest).
WHAT is going on???? As Rudy said . . . let them go.
I found a QUEEN on my deck, captured her (she was annoyed), and inserted her into Hive No. 3. Life has resumed into a steady pace again and I observe the comings and goings. The surrounding landscape looks derelict as all the Dandelions, their first food, have turned into fluffy globes… and you know how unkempt that all looks to our Protestant sensibilities of that immaculate Cathedral on the sacred green.
With all the swarming, there is a lot of ROBBING going on. The new Rogue clusters send foragers back to the Hive for honey but the guards hold steady . . . guarding. I watch the incoming and they try everything, including tumbling onto the tarmac or wrastling the guards. The entry is barred.
Grapevines are about to bloom, year No. 3 now for Frontenac Noir and Gris. Hummingbirds are already inspecting the crop. Amazon’s “organza” drawstring bags will arrive to protect the grapes. There may be wine in September!
RitaK and her little eco-system signing off . . .
One of about 4 “bee spas’, they need fresh water everyday. After a rain or cloudy day it is standing (hovering) room only.
The Bee Blog by Rita Komendant 