Honeybees improve the entire area around their hives by providing pollenation. All fruit crops and many
vegetable crops will increase in productivity due to their presence. Locating the hives at a distance from
growing fields will conceal their presence and they will go about their business and only be seen occasionally.

A prime swarm of bees near the ground. The bees in this swarm have their bellies loaded with honey and are not prone to sting. They are also very ready to secrete wax and draw combs, for without a hive to sustain them, the bees will starve to death over the winter.

The Director of OAFPI installing the swarm in a hive. Three frames are removed to accomodate all the bees, the swarm is shaken to dislodge the bees into the hive, and then the frames are gently replaced. The little branch is removed to reduce confusion over just where the queen is located, since her scent is on the branch and now around the hive.

The entrance to the hive after installation. The guard bees at the entrance are fanning a scent which attracts all stragglers into the hive. Each hive has its own individual scent.

Tip: When growing tomatoes, let the seedlings get tall and leggy. When you plant them, pinch off all the side shoots up to the top crown and bury the entire length of stem. The little hairs on the stem will quickly develop into a mass of roots and give your young plants a running head start.