Cleaning, repairing and getting ready

I spent some time last weekend repairing my hives.

• painted some deeps in colors instead of just white.  Nothing gaudy.  I had some paint samples in little jars and since they're too small do print anything large, I decided to use them to paint my hives.
• Scraped off propolis and any remaining beeswax from hives and frames
• Used a propane torch to scorch the inside of the boxes or frames to remove any trace of mites or anything else living on or in them.  What was great about this is the wonderful smell in the house afterwards.
• Ordered any additional supplies I might need for the season.  This year, I needed some new foundation so I ordered enough for 20 frames (hoping to grow my hive from one to two)

Getting the bee yard ready

I recently  electrified my fence around the empty bee yard to begin getting ready for bear to show up. I'd like them to get zapped early if they come by so hopefully they won't come back this season.

I am sticking with the marine battery to charge the fence.  It's the best way to go since I don't need to worry about replacing D cell batteries once a month.  Even after the battery sat down cellar over the winter, when I recharged it, it only took a short time ...under an hour...to fully charge again so it didn't lose much charge at all.  I even hooked it up myself which was a first for me.

Of course, I had taken pictured in the fall to help me do it correctly..and thankfully there is the Internet when I get lost.  I can usually find what I need by researching.

It looks like it's early to mid May before my bees will arrive.  I might have prepared my yard a little early...could I be overanxious?  I think I am.  I have to admit that I missed looking out every morning at my hives to make sure they were intact.  And I missed having a Christmas wreath on them during the season.  This year will be different.  I can feel it.