And just like that, they are gone...

And just like that, they are gone! I was noticing yellow jackets coming out of one of my hives a couple of days ago and I knew what that meant, something has happened. I blocked the entrance until I could get in and take a look. I got out of work today and rushed right home, suited up and went up to take a look. As I suspected there was an issue, the girls in Hive 3 had absconded. There was not a honeybee to be seen, not even a dead one! They must have been under such stress from yellow jackets to just leave like that.

All the way down to the slatted bottom board, not even a dead honeybee!

I then noticed that Hive 2 had the same thing going on there. I opened it, not a bee to be seen. This was very discouraging. 

Lots of wax was harvested as well as...

lots and lots of capped honey too! Hive 1 is thriving and doing quite well. It looks like we head into the winter with just one living hive. So the big question lately is, do we have honey and the answer is: YES!!! We will have various sizes available for purchase is a few days.

Getting ready!

It's just 2 weeks until the New England Fiber Festival and I am working during every free moment I have! This time of year is crazy busy with birthdays, parties, events and work! This is my production line for some new kits I am making. I have quite a bit of soap so I made some new kits.

These will be added to our kit line. Make your own felted soap. We will have a variety of scents available. These will make great gifts for that someone who likes to do it their self's! Each kit includes everything you will need along with complete instructions. Each kit is just $8!

Yarns are on the wheels too! My knee is feeling better so I need to get back on the saddle seat and get spinning!

Getting ready for the weather ahead...

A much needed day off gave me time to get caught up around here. Some knee issues have side lined me and put me behind on much needed things around here.

A Drone looked very scared as he hid away from the worker girls. As I inspected today there were still some lucky boys left in the hives, but most have been evicted from their hives.

I fired up the smoker but with a misty day in Connecticut, it was hard to keep it going.

All the Queen reducers were removed...

As well as the Supers. 

The entrance reducers were changed to the smaller opening. A lot of pressure is on the hives because of yellow jackets. This will help the Guard bees do their jobs with a lot less pressure.

These two had a stand off and both lost

This year we are trying something new, a Hive body and a Medium. So all the girls are still bringing in some food. The best I can hope is for them to do their best to get ready for the long winter ahead.