Class Photos

These are some of the photos from the Beginner Beekeeping Class held at The McGregor Home. This was the last class where we installed a 3 pound package of bees into a new hive for The Gardens of McGregor. A special thanks to Dave Stack for sending me these photos.

The McGregor Hive

Good news. I checked the hive today, Friday, April 27th, and the queen has been released from her cage.
Congratulations class on a job well done. By the way, I had a lot of fun.

Any one who took photos or videos at the McGregor bee installation please post them here.

Stan Hockey

Help Win An Orchard

Here is a link to help win an orchard for a local foundation, The Gardens at McGregor. I'm kind of torn because The Farm at CWRU is also in the competition. Go to the link, click VOTE NOW, theN click the tab that says, LIST BY STATE. You will find both McGregor and Squire Valleevue Farm of CWRU. You will have to register to vote. You can cast 1 vote per day.

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE

I Decided to Post the Video Here

My 15 Minutes of Fame

Here is a link to a video interview that was conducted by Michelle Simakis, of ClevelandHeights.Patch.com,

Click HERE to view the video.

BAN NEONICOTINOIDS NOW !

Follow this link to read about whats killing our bees. Major manufacturer of neonicotinoid pesticides is Bayer Chemical. Yes, the same people who make the aspirin you swallow!

Click HERE

Cleveland Heights Swarm Collection

I have entered into an informal agreement with the City of Cleveland Heights to respond to reports of honey bee swarms. In the photo is a "bee vacuum."
There is a fee for swarm removal. Contact me through the City's service department. If anyone is interested in starting a hive with the bees I collect you must have on hand the hive structure for immediate installation. Swarms can't be kept while you wait to order, receive, construct and paint the hive. You want to do this as soon as possible so that the bees can build the comb and collect enough nectar to make it through the winter. Remember:

A swarm in May - is worth a load of hay.

A swarm in June - is worth a silver spoon.

A swarm in July - isn't worth a fly.

JULY IS TOO LATE.

Other Pollinators

Honey bees aren't the only pollinators that can benefit your garden. If you don't think that beekeeping is for you here is another idea. Build a simple Orchard Mason Bee house. It's simply a block of wood at least 4 inches deep and drilled with 5/16" holes, spaced 3/4" apart. Sand the edges of the holes smooth and make sure when you paint it that you don't get paint in the holes. Also, do not use preserved wood or coat with wood stains. The block in the photo is cedar wood.