The Bees Are Back in Town

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The Bees Are Back in Town

…. emerging on sunny days from the hive and returning with pollen. This brings to an end the first of the emotional beekeeping cycles I go through every single year - anxiety.

I’m sure older and wiser beekeepers are spared this cycle of emotional turmoil, but in case it rings bells with anyone (I’d love to hear from them if it does), I thought I’d share it – with suggestions for herbal treatments!

1. Bee Anxiety - January - February

You haven’t seen the bees. You know they existed last autumn. Are they alive? Did they cope with all that snow, heavy frosts, torrential rain? You daren’t look, in case you give them a condition known as Chilled Brood.

Chamomile Tea will soothe the nerves. Calm your fears by sniffing lavender oil. Beer helps, too.

2. Bee Guilt - February to some point in March

You’ve seen the bees going in and out, but haven’t got round to checking they are alright for food, that the brood nest is healthy, and that the queen is still performing. You know you should, but it’s always raining, or you forget…

You need to clear your head of the winter fug, and liven yourself up. An infusion of rosemary should get the system going, and a whiff of basil oil will clear the head and help your memory! Beer won’t help, not much anyway.

3. Bee Fever - March – July

You’ve inspected the bees, and now you must keep at it regularly, checking for disease, adding honey supers and thwarting their swarming instinct. Meantime, you have fallen in love with them again and they occupy most of your waking thoughts….

Bee Fever means sleepless nights – relax with lemon balm tea, or take valerian in severe cases of Bee Insomnia. Keep lavender oil handy in case of stings! Boost energy levels with curries, groaning with coriander to combat fatigue. Beer goes well with curry. Fennel and peppermint help to digest it.

4. Bee Complacency - August – September

You don’t need to be at the bees so regularly as they are unlikely to swarm now. You lie back in the garden and watch them bringing back honey……BUT beware, bees can be sneaky and you may have to ACT!

Treat as for Bee Guilt, if required. Meditate regularly to keep you mindful of the needs of small six-legged creatures. Beer absolutely no help at this stage, but goes down well.

5. Bee Fatigue - September to mid November - in my case

Oh dear. All those boxes of honey to get off and hump around, all that faffing around with varrous treatments, feeding to do and preparations for winter. Will it EVER end? You are irritable, tired, and ache all over.

So steep yourself in a bath with juniper berry and lavender oils. Anoint the sprains and bruises with arnica. Massage aching muscles with sweet birch oil. Hops are great for soothing the irritability and helping you sleep, especially in the form of beer.

6. Bee Oblivion - November – December

The bees are fed, mouse-proofed, medicated and tucked up for winter, and it’s Christmas!

Mulled wine with herbs and spices, home-made mead – and, of course, honey beer!

©Margaret Lear