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Unfortunately, there are no feral
bees in Alaska. This leaves Alaskan beekeepers only one
option... Package Bees. |
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| Yes, it is just exactly what it sounds like - a wooden "package" with screened sides. The package includes three to four pounds of worker honeybees, a queen bee, and a can of syrup for them to live on while in transit to Alaska. They are placed on pallets and flown from the lower 48 on a cargo plane. When they arrive in Anchorage, I load them into the back of my Suburban, and drive them home - 160 miles! I have had some interesting rides, but I've never been stung in the car while transporting the bees back to the Kenai (knock on wood). |
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Once they arrive at their final destination, they are shaken from the box, and into their new home. They work from dawn to dusk all summer long, bringing in pollen and nectar, and building up the strength of their colony. With our long Alaskan days, these girls are putting in some hours! |
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Many Alaskan beekeepers do not try to winter their bees over, but I think it's very important. Colony Collapse Disorder has not affected us here in Alaska to a great extent, but it may in the future. I attempt to winter-over my honeybees - every colony, every winter. I have had winters with 100% success, and winters with 100% failures. I average about a 60%-70% success rate. Usually, I winter the smaller colonies in my garage, making it somewhat of a hazard zone. I don't know how they get out, but when I have half a dozen or so "fliers", I know it's time to find the leak and plug it! |
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| Honeybees are incredibly
fascinating and incredibly misunderstood. Yes, getting stung
hurts. No, I don't like getting stung. Do I get stung often? Not
nearly as much as I did when I first started keeping bees!
Learning to interpret their behaviors, and how to care for them
has brought me ridiculous amounts of joy and pleasure. There is
just nothing better than sitting beside a beehive in the morning
sun, with a fresh cup of coffee, and seeing the girls busily
filling their larder. It's pure peace... |
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Cool Alaska Links:
Alaska's newest and coolest online magazine - TerminationDust.Net
Custom Alaska Vacation packages - www.alaskavacationstore.com
Custom Alaska Honeymoons - www.alaska-honeymoon.com
Custom Alaska Winter Vacations alaska-winter.com
"Is That Like, the Board?"
Wigi Tozzi's blog
Meet Sarah - Meet the Girls - Our Products
Sarah's Alaska Honey - Kenai, Alaska