Whatcha doing today?

[addy1]

Trying to get some work done at our house, rain delay again! So came over to our boat, spent the time redoing the kitchen counters with stonecoat. Pleased with how it turned out. Thanks for the suggestion @JamieB to use their product.

The epoxy flowed towards the back of the boat, a slight tilt and also blended as the boat rocked around. A neat effect when done.

 

[mrsclem]

Really nice!

 

[addy1]

Really nice!

Thanks it was a little scary, not sure how it would turn out, did do a test coffee table. These counters are not easy to remove. But figured could always redo. The boat counters are made by something tough, but have gotten stained over time. The boat is 34 years old.............

 

[j.w]

Love it @addy1 !

 

[JamieB]

The grey “feathered” beautifully!

 

[addy1]

Thanks Glad you said something about using that company @JamieB

Out cutting some bushes this afternoon. No where near the bees, flowers or their water. I hear a buzz in a blink the sucker stung me right between the eyes! Geez! It never gave a warning just a sting.

 

[j.w]

Bad, bad bee!

 

[addy1]

That one is deceased now, but right after it stung me another showed up. I gave up came in. Now I have the smell of being stung and the other bees smell it and come running.

We are replacing queens as soon as nectar flow is over, I think we have some bad genetics, the queen runs the temperament of the hive. This one huge hive has been testy for a while now. In case it is not them the other queens will be gone also. To keep healthy hives it is best to requeen every year. They go into winter stronger.

 

[JamieB]

Do you have to kill the old queen for it to work, or can you sell/ give it to someone else? One of the things I’d love to do but probably won’t get to, is having a bee hive. I really only want it to help the bees, for wax and propolis, but I’d have honey to give away and use a little. I prefer it’s medicinal properties to its taste!
I slept in almost 2 hours this morning! Now in my seat as coffee brews and kittens take over my lap.

 

[addy1]

Do you have to kill the old queen for it to work, or can you sell/ give it to someone else?

You have to remove the old queen, leave the hive queenless for a day or so. The hives worker bees will kill the new queen until they learn her smell. Then you put the new queen in a cage in the hive with a sugar plug, they need to chew her out which takes a few days. Then hopefully they accept her. OW the workers will kill her if they have already have a queen in the hive.

We can give the queens away, but they have to be given quickly, they don't last long on their own, even with nurse bees in the queen cage with them. Most likely will pinch them. Hate doing it, but.................. the mean hive I would not give her to anybody. A few of the packages are not laying well a indicator of a queen not bred well. The best thing to do is put them in alcohol and use in your swarm trap the queens smells attract a swarm .

 

[JamieB]

So I brought home a 7th kitten. She’s roughly 2 weeks younger. Apparently mom was a feral, the folks who took the kitten in saw her trying to carry two babies at once, ended up dropping this one, and they never saw her return for it. I’ve got a lactating mom, and she looks like the rest, so intro went along the lines of bringing her in, a sad unhappy little orphan, and plop her in amongst 6 rambunctious kittens. A few sniffs, “ what did YOU get into?!!! Attitude, then after a lot of play, she was the bottom of a kitty pile, loving the warmth of siblings around her again. My moms already started the weaning process, so I’m giving her KMR too. She’s still a bit tender of gut and backed up a bit, but I’m working on that. Need a tiny bit of stool softener, some probiotics, and time.

 

[addy1]

You are the savior of everybody!

 

[JamieB]

I’ve heard lemon grass oil attracts swarms. I need another lemon grass plant. I should have a suitable tree around here somewhere! I like saving animals. They don’t lie about their agenda, they want food, shelter, and love. The problem with humans is they want drugs, alcohol, or things, and some folks will abuse a helping hand to get them. I don’t do drugs, rarely drink, but I’m also willing to work for the things I want. Which will hopefully be this weekend, if the weather stays nice, to work on my pond! I want to be able to enjoy more than just a hole in the ground!

 

[Mike in Vermont]

I'm still waiting for the first Hummingbird to come to the feeder. Taps foot 3 times...

 

[addy1]

I’ve heard lemon grass oil attracts swarms.

Yes it does, we also smear propolis on the inside of the swarm trap. Put in old brood comb.

I'm still waiting for the first Hummingbird to come to the feeder. Taps foot 3 times...

Ours showed up a few weeks ago, now darn cold again. 37 this am