Distinctly Montana Magazine

d i s t i n c t ly m o n ta n a • s u m m e r 2 0 1 5 50 More advice from Melissa Picoli, owner of Kettle Care Organics, Whitefish, on how to enhance the well-being of bees just by planting some of their favorite flowers: • BEES loVE BotanICalS — borage, mints, basil, sage, thyme, oregano, lavender, chives, berries, dandelions, calendula, and geranium. ese all grow easily in Montana. • uSE non-gMo PlantS and aVoId ChEMICal fErtIlIzErS and InSECtICIdES. To feed your herbs and flowers, try keeping eggshells, coffee grounds and plant-based organic matter in a bucket throughout the week. Fill with water about two hours before using and then mix with plain water to feed plants. • grouP PlantS togEthEr to attraCt thE MoSt BEES. About a square foot of each type bunched together is both beautiful and compelling for a hungry bee. • allow your hErBS to flowEr. You can plant one for yourself, and one that you'll allow to flower for the bees. At the end of the season, allow plants like broccoli and cauliflower to flower fully. ese become crucial food sources when other flowers are done blooming. SCOuT OuT THE BEST lOCaTiON FOr yOur HivES While there is no simple formula on this, Rick Molenda, general man- ager and president of Western Bee Supplies Inc. in Polson, offers some suggestions. Pick a spot with full sun coverage. Like an alarm clock, the sun will motivate the bees to get up early so they can get in a full day's work. Make sure the hives are out of the wind. is avoids the cold western or northerly winds from blowing hard against the hives and possibly tipping them over. Have convenient access to the hives. A full box of honey can weigh up to 100 pounds — you don't want to be toting that or several five gallon buckets of syrup to feed the hives back and forth any distance. Pick a safe location. Bees take the quickest path from their food source to the hive so make sure their flight path will not disturb or pose a threat to neighbors, livestock, or family. Buy THE rigHT EquipmENT Besides the hives, there are two indispensable items you need. First is a smoker. It is used to puff smoke into the hive entrance before opening and over the frames once opened. Smoke causes bees to gorge themselves with honey which makes them calmer. Second is a hive tool, which is used like a lever to pry apart boxes and lift frames out for inspection. jOiN a lOCal BEEKEEpEr CluB is is one of the best ways to learn more about bees and beekeeping. You will have the invalu- able opportunity to meet other experienced beekeepers that you can exchange ideas and opinions with. Associations also host classes and annual conferences that offer educational and networking opportunities. Visit the Montana Beekeepers Association's Web site at www.montanastatebeekeep- ers.wordpress.com to learn about the different clubs in your area that you can join. Bees eating sugar water CAM LAY CAM LAY 3 4 5

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