Back at it again after 25 years (with my daughter this time)

[tineseeker]

bee package.jpgsierra w bees.jpgworking with the bees.jpg

Starting with 2 4lb packages.. One Italian and one Carniolan. The Caniolan lost its queen late June. Did a split late summer to control varro. So far all four colonies are alive. They were flying today here in Iowa (crazy). Extracted 5 gallons of honey from the Italian bees.. Built a 10 frame observation hive this winter (hoping it will enhance my daughters interest in working with the bees..(She has not been stung yet) I'm nervous that when she does get stung it might be game changer.. I have learned quite a bit from this forum and would like to thank every one for their input... My goal this year is to be more active in posting and less of a lurker...

[Bsweet]

Welcome back and its nice to see your little one helping out, Good Luck, Enjoy and be safe. Jim

[megank]

Nothing wrong with just being a lurker....

[beeware10]

welcome back. good to see young people have an interest. good luck this summer

[New Ky Beekeeper]

My suggestion is you get your daughter into the harvesting of the honey first. Then let her curiousity lead her to the hive....

Just my $0.02

Good luck!
Phil

[tineseeker]

swarm.jpg

Daughters first swarm

[KQ6AR]

Welcome, you guys are having too much fun. She doesn't appear to be timid about the bees.

[Dana]

That's great! And nice kid's size bee suit. I need to get one of those. I always put my the ankle parts of my suit on the outside of my boots though. Not sure if it matters. I found a few easily captured drones a while back and enticed my 6 year old with them He loved them.

[tineseeker]

Welcome, you guys are having too much fun. She doesn't appear to be timid about the bees.

She hasen't been stung yet ... I am a little worried that after the first sting she won't want any thing to do with the bees...

[AstroBee]

Yeah, I'd be concerned too. I've worked with my son some when he was very small (3-4), but he burnt his hand on the smoker and gave it up. Now he's 9 and wanted to get back into helping Dad with the bees. We started working together this spring and he was feeling particularly invincible just until the first sting occurred. He had been stung before, but this time it got him right through the glove. He hasn't been back since. I blame myself for not giving better instructions and watching his interactions better.

Hope you have continued success.