Scientists and Apiarists have noted in recent years a new malady which affects bees. It has been called colony collapse disorder and generally happens in the fall. The bees fly away one day and simply fail to return to the hive. It is almost like INS came in and deported all of them. They simply disappear. No bodies left behind; No warning signs; No apparent reason. Theories have run the gamut from some type of virus to cell phone towers to pesticides but no definite reason has been found.
Unfortunately, this fall my hive suffered from CCD. So we are preparing to put the hives in the freezer to kill any pests which may have moved in after the bees moved out. But before doing that, I decided I would take at least SOME of the honey for our use instead of saving it all for the replacement bees I'm planning to get next spring.
It is mild and tasty honey.
For my birthday/Christmas present to myself this year I got the professional Kitchenaid mixer. (heckuva deal at Bed Bath and Beyond on Friends and Family night--30% off!) I used it today to make spun honey. WOW is that stuff wonderful. It brought back memories of my youth when my Mom would buy it at the store and let us have it as a special treat. The taste and texture of the homemade stuff makes the cost of the mixer a moot point. YUMMY. I did share some with my Prairie House neighbor, but I'm keeping the rest for myself! Selfish? Undoubtedly. Delicious? You Bet!
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2 comments:
That is a real shame that you lost your bees to CCD. Unfortunately as you pointed out, this is an increasingly widespread problem. Some beekeepers are split about how to treat the hives - some like yourself say freeze them. others say radiate them & others to burn them & replace to be sure. There's a good article below from The Daily Green. Whatever you do, good luck with the new bees.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/blogs/bees/colony-collapse-disorder-55040702
I remember that spun honey. It really was a treat! Congratulations on choosing a wonderful birthday/Christmas present for yourself. You did good.
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