Protecting our bees

beehive after curious cattle

Honey bees and native bees are vital workers on our farm as they pollinate our berries and increase our yields. We lost 2 hives late last year and thus needed to clean the hives and frames to prepare for new colonies purchased from the UGA Bee Lab in Watkinsville. We hope to enjoy the fruits of their labor with some delicious honey in the coming years. We have 3 colonies behind our farm house and another colony in the lower field where the cattle are located. Cows are very curious animals and like to explore their territory. Given the enticing aroma of sweet honey, the cattle knocked over the lower colony in March. To protect the bees, we placed everything back together minus one super which had severely damaged frames and installed a fence with 8 posts and 4 cattle panels around the colony. We also protect our bees by not using pesticides or herbicides.

cleaning beehives

cattle proof protection for bees in lower field