Bees not flying, still takes getting used to

[Terry Small, Jr]

We've spent the week pulling honey in the Imperial Valley. If we're lucky we'll be done Friday. (writing from the motel room)

After lunch today, about 2:00 pm, we pulled into an apiary with 128 colonies. There was not a single bee in the air. It was 110 degrees, 20% humidity. While I know that the girls won't fly when it gets this hot, they are busy fanning the hive, it's still kind of eerie.

After we started with the fume boards a few would take flight, but they would just land on me and hang out, maybe crawling around a little. Sometimes 10-20 on me at a time but not a single sting. Even when I brushed them off they were reluctant to take flight. They weren't aggressive at all, they seemed kinda confused by the whole thing. They didn't even react when I was pouring ice water over my head.

[JohnK and Sheri]

Wow and I feel sorry for John when he has to pull honey in 80 degrees. But at least yours is a dry heat.

What sort of honey are you harvesting? And where to with the bees next?
Hopefully somewhere a little cooler? Or do you stay put and feed?
Sheri

[Terry Small, Jr]

They're out there for the alfalfa seed crop. After the hottest part of the summer we'll bring them back to San Diego County and store them in the avocado, pomegranate, persimmon & citrus ranches (no money involved) to build them up for the almonds.