Hey everyone, it has been a rough dry few months, no honey what so ever in atleast 4 months. Last year around this time of the year we already had honey. This year due to the drought little to no rain at this stage still nothing.
We sadly also lost a few hives over winter as in dearth season bees leave in search of greener pastures. What I have done is retrieved all the empty hives from the fields, cleaned out and started laying bees wax foundations in preparation for the next honey flow, hopefully coming soon.
We attract new swarms by 'baiting' the hives with honey as well as two drops of lemon grass oil. In season this works very well attracting new swarms to your hives!
A bee-wax foundation is great for new swarms just moved in. This saves them atleast 6 weeks as instead of building combs from the start they simply extend their combs from these wax foundations!
My 'ol faithful' Tinkie making sure I am doing a great job and keeping me company as she does, gorgeous animal..
I use a blow torch to melt the old wax from the groove at the top of the brooder frame and then quickly push the new wax foundation in, waiting around 30 seconds for the wax to set and dry, hey presto, good to go!
Really hoping to catch some swarms soon and get the honey flowing just like last season.
Nature the incredible. I trust you have an amazing week further.
Cheer$;)