Transporting Bee Hives

The bee field of the last post had bees in it too. These were the ones that we were collecting. Normally you need to get bees in the dark, so they have all returned home before you close up the entrances and take them away. But these ones were in a very windy place (which you can't really tell by the bee dudes' hair styles) so the bees all came home early. Meant we got to load a lot early. We, means I sat in the ute.

And then a whole load of strapping is required to stop them all flying off down the motorway. Um...that would be the beehive boxes, not the bees - the bees are all locked in with special doors across their entrances and won't be released till they get to their new homes.

Oiling Bee Hive Boxes

At this time of year, in spring, all the bees start multiplying like mad. So they need bigger houses to accommodate all the extra family. So many new boxes are required. Here they are, not quite made yet.

And once they have been made they need to be preserved in some way, so they can withstand the weather better. Often you see beehives painted in some lurid colour that looks like the cheap leftovers from the local paint shop (or all beekeepers are a bit colour blind?).

But these boxes are going to be dipped in hot linseed oil for preservation.

The oil comes in huge drums. And it is being added to the heating trough.

 Which is then heated up, the boxes added 6 at a time and left to soak, then fished out.

 Dripping on the side for a while...

 And isn't this just a beautiful sight? Golden and oiled, waiting for new homes.