New Hives for GA's Bee Keepers!

Science teachers Becky Pizzino and Maura Saurman work with middle and upper school students to maintain the Apiary at GA. Currently, there are two colonies of bees on the roof. "One was installed in the spring of 2012 in a Langstroth hive which is 3-5 stacked boxes of comb which hang in frames.  The other colony was installed in the spring of 2013.  It is in a Thomasville hybrid hive which is like a boat on legs with bars of comb which hang down from the top," Reports Saurman.   "That hive also has a viewing panel in the back.  We check them at least twice a month when it is warm to make sure there is plenty of brood and food as well as no infestations of parasites.  We use no chemicals on the hives and try to use as little smoke as possible when we open them to inspect.  The colonies are still young which means we can’t take much honey from them yet." The Apiary resides on the Green Roof and has been visited by many students across the school.