We have a corn crib. One day we hope to restore it.
Unfortunately our plans have been on hold ever since moving to the farm a year ago last June.
The reason?
BEES.
We knew the bees were living in the wall of the building but weren't about to try and evict them.
We want the bees to stay around but we would really like our building back.
Last February on a very cold day DH sawed out part of the inner wall to see what was in there. He came across this...
( You can click on the pictures to enlarge them )
He saw no live bees.
He asked me to come out and take a picture of the comb and since it was winter I knew there would be no problem with the bees if there were any.
I'm afraid of bees.
As I got closer to the hive to take a picture I thought I could hear a buzzing sound. DH who has severe hearing loss could not hear anything. I put my head up against the wall that hadn't been taken apart and sure enough there was a distinct buzzing.
DH proceeded to cut more of the wall out
and this is what he found...
We decided to just leave them until he made a hive for them and then we'd move them but we just
had too many other things to do around
the farm so we just left them alone.
A couple of days ago DH came into the house and asked to use my camera. He didn't say what he was doing but he came back and said..."put this on your blog"!
I uploaded the pictures to my computer
and this is what I saw.
I couldn't believe it!
This was a warm day and those bees didn't even fly when Keith climbed up into the crib.
And look at the size of that honey comb!
This thing is about 3 layers thick
and if you look closely you can see honey seeping
out between the boards!
We have no idea of how big this hive is but you can see
the honey and bees in the cracks in about a 3 foot wide area and I have NO idea how far up into the wall it goes.
This summer I saw bees swarming around the top of the corn crib door and also around the peak of the building so I'm sure the hive is way bigger than we think.
So...I guess we won't be restoring the old place
for a while....but I think maybe we should start
reading up on becoming bee keepers!
What do you think?
Enjoy your weekend.
Maura :)
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25 comments:
I don't think that's a corn crib at all Maura ... I think it's just one HUGE BEE HIVE!! But I bet you could make a few dollars selling all that honey.
Warmest Hugs,
Sandi @ Ess D'Ess Bears
Maura, that is such a interesting thing with the honey bees! I guess they just needed a place to put their honey and they loved your corn crib!! We had a swarm in our yard one year. I called a guy we knew that kept bees and he was able to "capture" them and take them to his hives! The girls were younger then and they just loved watching him put on his suit and take the bees to their new home! I think you should be beekeepers!! Good luck!
What a great post! They've chosen you! A few bee classes, a hive, and a snazzy suit and you're all set. Love it!
Maura! I've NEVER seen a hive so large or so many bees before! Just think of all the help they're giving you around your garden... I've been considering taking a class in bee keeping, but haven't gotten around to it. It's on my to-do list.
Hello! I realy love your blog! Nice photos! I came back soon! Have a nice weekend! Hugs Nina
WOW! That is something to see Maura. You have your own bee colony for sure. Amazing to look at. Seems as though your corn building has turned into a giant bee hive. Honey bees are great to have and I want to start a hive this spring but I would have no idea what to do with the bees there. You have hone comb for walls. It is amazing. You should reach out to the local chapter of bee keepers and get someone out there that is a specialist. You could smoke them out perhaps? I bet they have some good honey for you. Great post!
Amy xo
Thanks for sharing this. Wow! I would say building some hives this winter is ah must do or call the DNR and they could find some bee keeper to take the bees to their hives.
Are you going to set up hives for honey? We had bee and red wasp troubles this year. One of my dogs like to eat them. He keeps getting stung.
Go to Billy the exterminator's web site and see what he says to get them moving. It is under the name Vexcon. He did a show on bees in a house that was over taken just like your corn crib.
I think I would call a specialist for this bi job. You could always talk with a bee keeper.
Great photos !
They will clear out as it gets colder, then all you have to do is remove the old hive and your on your way to referbishing the area where they were! Thats what we had to do when I was on the farm as a kid, my dad and I did it when we thought they were gone cause it was late fall but the weather was still warm, we didnt think they had still been around but they were and I was swarmed with thousands of them all over me and in my cloths, thankfully I wasnt allergic to them cause I muct of been stung over 100 times, I hate oatmeal and calamine baths ! Have a great day !
My friends just starting bee keeping. It has taken them months of hard work to acheive what nature has done right in your lil' crib. So cool. ;)
Ah, another project. (o:
Hugs,
Joyce
Good heavens! You'll have to become beekeepers yourselves or call someone in to move the hive out.
I had one on an apple tree once and i called a friend who is a beekeeper and he took it.Or you must get a hive and make your honey, that would be a great idea!...and i will buy you some!lovely Sunday Catherine
I think I'd be calling beekeepers. They say if you have bees a lot of times they'll come out and take them. I so love that chicken in your banner!
Brenda
Oh WOW, I've never seen anything like that. It's kind of cool as long as I can stay far, far away! Although bees are pretty interesting creatures.
Last summer we saw a bee swarm that came right through our "yard". I'd never seen a swarm as it moved to a new hive, it was very interesting but I was glad to not be too close either. It was this black cloud of bees, about 10 feet in diameter.
Do you have any plans for your corncrib honey?
Chris
PS I'd be getting one of those white suits and helmets for your husband if he want to keep heading out to the corncrib.
Hello, Maura! I found your blog through Brenda's. I am so loving the farm-y feel of everything here! (I grew up on a farm and miss it EVERY day). I am going to follow you and check back often. Thanks!
Kelly
Hi Maybe you should consider going into the honey business. lol. Thanks for these great pics.
what a lovely name for a house
"The Corn Crib"
I will remember that
Be careful, Maura!
wow....lots of bee’s...I’m scared of them too and allergic to the stings. I love honey though...yes I guess you will be beekeepers next..Lovely little corn crib however, what a cute little retreat that would make.
Beautiful corn crib. What a charming little getaway that would make. Hope all is well with you and yours.
oh my! i think you would want to consult with bee pros and wait until it freezes...would there be a way to keep the bees on your farm? it seems as though bees are getting scarce. we didnt see many this year. good luck and i am so glad you weren't like so many and selfishly burned them out, etc. jill
Wow, that honeycomb is huge. Love how your darling hubby thought about photos for your blog! How wonderful is that? I don't know much about bees, just that I'm always nervous around too many. Can't wait to eventually hear of their status. Have a fabulous week, Maura.
Maureen
Hi there.....Found you over at Aunt Amelia's....what a pretty spot you have...so cozy and homey. I'll be back often.
Xo
Jo
WoW! Maybe bee keeping would be a great idea! Plenty of honey! New follower! Hope you're haveing a good week!!
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