Some days, it is simply hard to focus.
Those are the days to avoid working with the bees.
Yesterday, the smoke wasn't coming out right - I was alternating between dragonfire and snuffed candlesmoke. I was pushing to get done before dark. I was rushing through steps and feeling awkward. And I was dealing with a whole new crop of emerged workers, who had never been worked before, and they were cranky about the whole process. I think the worker who stung me was as surprised as I was that she was angry with me.
I never quite got to that Zen moment where I am just breathing and working with my bees.
I completed all my steps. I dosed the ladies and brood with some powdered sugar to help with the mites. I smashed dozens of hive beetles. I marked down in my journal where the grubs were and where the honey was and where the new comb was being drawn. I removed a couple of queen cups so that she wouldn't raise other queens and swarm off. I found the queen, and she seems happy.
And after getting stung, I pulled on some gloves - I have been working without them - so I wouldn't risk reacting to a sting and dropping the frame. I even harvested a couple of teaspoons of honeycomb, to share with Kathe.
I did what I needed to. But days like that, when I am a little off of my game, and the ladies are feeling stabby, it might be best to just put the work off for a little bit.
Sting count: 1. Cumulative sting count: 1.
Those are the days to avoid working with the bees.
Yesterday, the smoke wasn't coming out right - I was alternating between dragonfire and snuffed candlesmoke. I was pushing to get done before dark. I was rushing through steps and feeling awkward. And I was dealing with a whole new crop of emerged workers, who had never been worked before, and they were cranky about the whole process. I think the worker who stung me was as surprised as I was that she was angry with me.
I never quite got to that Zen moment where I am just breathing and working with my bees.
I completed all my steps. I dosed the ladies and brood with some powdered sugar to help with the mites. I smashed dozens of hive beetles. I marked down in my journal where the grubs were and where the honey was and where the new comb was being drawn. I removed a couple of queen cups so that she wouldn't raise other queens and swarm off. I found the queen, and she seems happy.
And after getting stung, I pulled on some gloves - I have been working without them - so I wouldn't risk reacting to a sting and dropping the frame. I even harvested a couple of teaspoons of honeycomb, to share with Kathe.
I did what I needed to. But days like that, when I am a little off of my game, and the ladies are feeling stabby, it might be best to just put the work off for a little bit.
Sting count: 1. Cumulative sting count: 1.
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