Installing new hives, Foster, RI

This Spring seems to be a rainy one and that's not great for beekeeping, though it's lovely for the plants in our gardens. Honey bees prefer those warm, sunny days with little or no breeze. I've been stung a bit more than usual this year as a result of having to install or inspect hives on those less-than-ideal days.

Earlier this year I wrote about acquiring a new outyard in Foster, thanks to Deb and Butch and their desire to share their expanding vegetable garden with some honey bees. It was a raw and overcast day on 13 April when I installed the two hives there.

After the hives were installed Butch did a lot of work on the site, and I am very grateful to him and Deb for their caring attitude. He installed a snow fence around the hives, giving me plenty of room to do my work. The fence offers the hives some protection against unwanted visitors, both two-legged and four-legged.

I purchased a veil for Butch, even though he was willing to go right into the hives with me without any protective gear. He is a natural beekeeper, I think, but wears a short beard, and bees do seem to get tangled in hair and beards quite easily. I thought he should be able to enjoy getting as close to the bees as he likes without taking stings to the face or neck. Besides, a sting in or near the eyes can be quite dangerous. I don't want anyone being blinded because of carelessness.

Maybe later this season we'll manage a photo of him wearing his new veil.