Help! Save the baby!

I have had a very eventful year as a beekeeper in 2013.

• Multiple swarm calls. About half of them have not been bees. Thank God for emailing digital photos.
• Colony removal. I chalk this up to the weather doing a number on the old trees with colonies.
• Beginning beekeepers. They keep calling me.
• Selling at Sweetly Said Gifts. A truly charming store.

I don’t know if TIME magazine is responsible for this local honey and beekeeper pursuit, but whatever the origin of  the phone calls and emails, I feel encouraged.

Here is one colony removal call that looked promising.

Here is one that is half-promising. It was dusted with poison. The bees are in a box now, but they might die. Or not. Which is why I say,

“Help! Save the baby!”

There was definitely brood that died in situ.

I struggle about what to do with the bees that left this hive. I removed the comb that you see in the photo because a few of them kept visiting it and got coated with the poisonous powder. Are they poisoning their sisters? Will they live another month? Is my equipment now contaminated? How many resources do I invest in this colony? They are currently quarantined near the tree from which they came.

I also started a Facebook group for local keepers. It is accessible to people who maybe don’t use email or aren’t fans of yahoogroups. About half are keepers currently; the other half are prospective keepers.

The most promising bee development this year is selling at Sweetly Said Gifts.

You can buy Iowa made gifts here, like candles, aprons, and HONEY and LIP BALM. For hours and location, visit the store’s website. I saw a few things I liked, and feel good about supporting Iowans. Here are (much fancier than mine) cutting boards.

And these windows are really cool! I liked the $40 price tag, too —