Hives in the "Blizzard of '09"

Winter is certainly a beautiful season, especially in the large snowstorm we had over the weekend when the hives' roofs got a hat. Winter can also be a tough time for the bees, however. This season is the real trial when the beekeeper sees whether the bees have stored enough to eat, have been treated sufficiently for disease and pests, and are genetically predisposed for getting through the winter. Colony Collapse disorder has also become an issue during the winter, although its severity is declining since its spike in 2007. Many times the hive will not make it-- last year there was a 25% loss reported.

First Batch of Honey

The story of 'Backyard Honey'

"Alison's honey is produced in Washington, DC. It is unfiltered and still contains the clean, edible, and very nutritious products of the hive-- wax and propolis."

CBS Evening News

This fall, I was interviewed by the Washington correspondent for the CBS Evening News about the urban beekeeping movement of Washington DC.
They were curious about me as the youngest beekeeper in DC, but they were especially interested by how the neighbors and my parents have responded to my interest in the bees--they are very supportive, and my whole family share responsibility of the hives.

Getting Started

Welcome to Alison's Bees! Obviously, I'm just getting started on this blog. I'm a sophomore at Sidwell Friends School in Washington DC, and I have two hives in my backyard. I'd like this to become a resource for caring for bees as I go through my experiences as a beekeeper. This spring I will have had my hives for 2 years, which isn't very long compared to the older and wiser beekeepers who are all over the area. Right now, urban beekeeping is becoming an increasingly large phenomenon, especially as more people realize how our existence relies on pollinators, which have primarily become honeybees, and how the population can be affected by the changes we humans are making to our environment. However, beekeeping is still illegal in DC, despite the many wonderful outspoken beekeepers in the district and changes around the country to legalize it. So as I discuss what I've gone through, I'd like to be helpful to anyone who is looking to start a hive and help others understand what it means to be a backyard beekeeper. Hopefully anyone who may read this blog can come to find something here, whether it be education or entertainment!
-Alison-