Our Newest Pets

Not really.  They certainly aren’t welcome in our home and they are lucky to be allowed on the edge of our property, but last week Jacob purchased 20 nucs of bees.  Nucs are basically just starter hives.  He bought these and is waiting for them to mature, then will move them to their new hives and return the boxes to the seller.

Here are four such hives.  The one in the front on the  right is ready for a new larger box.  You notice all the bees hanging out in the front.

Here are the 20 nucs.

Jacob is transferring the bees to their new box.  I think he got stung once on the finger.

In their new home.  All 20 nucs will be moved to this type box.

I find it very ironic that most people pay to have bugs exterminated, but we pay GOOD money to have them.  In fact, if you find a feral hive, call him, he’d be happy to come catch it.  It seems a little backward, but then again, most things we do are a bit backwards.  All I wanted was a couple hobby hives so that we could have some honey, but no, Jacob always has to go big.  We are well on our way to having 27 hives (with a goal of 50 by the new year)  instead of 2.  With these goals of growth, it should still be a couple years before we see substantial honey/income from these little guys….um, girls (Jacob says the boys only eat and mate).  I hope this little business venture pays off!  Of course if anyone can make this kind of thing work, it is Jacob.