Alexandria's Apiary

03/20/2026

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZThoVTDGX/

Check out Strawberry Koch’s video.

03/04/2026

Check out this incredible cluster on the hive tonight!

We are so proud of this colony. We had a warm 78°F day today in Bokoshe, and the girls are out "bearding" to keep the hive cool.

​Seeing a crowd this size at dusk means the hive is completely full, the queen is laying strong, and they are working hard on that spring honey flow. 🍯

​Busy getting the new equipment ready—we are going to need more space for these ladies soon!

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02/14/2026

🐝 February in Bokoshe: What’s Buzzing in the Cold?

​While we’re waiting for the Redbuds to pop, our local honeybees are already hard at work inside their hives. Even though you don’t see them, February is one of the most intense months for a bee colony!

​1. The "Warming" Workout 🌡️
Inside the hive, the bees are shivering! By vibrating their wing muscles, they keep the center of the hive at a steady 92–95°F to protect the Queen and any early brood (baby bees). This takes an incredible amount of energy.

​2. The Danger Zone 📉
This is actually the time of year when bees are most at risk of starving. They’ve eaten through most of their winter honey stores, but the big spring blooms haven't arrived yet. A few warm days in Bokoshe might lure them out, but if there’s no nectar to find, they burn precious calories for nothing.

​3. First Bites 🌸
On those 55°F+ afternoons, keep an eye out for bees on Henbit (those tiny purple flowers in your yard) or Dandelions. While many consider them weeds, in February, they are a vital "fast food" for a hungry bee.

​How you can help this month:

​Don’t mow yet! Those "weeds" are life-savers for early foragers.

​Wait to clean the garden. Many of our native solitary bees are still hibernating in hollow plant stems or under leaf litter. Leaving the "mess" until temperatures are consistently above 50°F saves lives!

​Plan your Spring. Now is the perfect time to grab some Eastern Oklahoma wildflower mixes (like Indian Blanket or Lemon Beebalm) to plant once the ground softens.

​Local check-in: Have you spotted any "scout bees" in your yard during these recent warm patches? Let us know in the comments! 👇

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01/14/2026

Swarm season is approaching between April and May. If you encounter a swarm in an undesirable location, please contact me to arrange for removal and relocation. I also provide removal services for bees that have established themselves in unwanted areas. Note that hive removal may be subject to certain conditions, such as requiring wall removal. Otherwise, the process should be straightforward. My phone number is listed on my page.

Bokoshe Poultry Exchange

01/02/2026

Did you know honey bees don’t hibernate? ❄️➡️🔥
​Instead, they hold a months-long group hug!
​When temps drop below 50°F, the colony forms a tight "winter cluster" (a ball of bees). They unhook their wing muscles and shiver constantly to generate heat.
​While it might be freezing outside the box, the center of that cluster is kept at a toasty 90°F+ to keep the Queen safe! They take turns being on the cold outer edge and the warm middle.
​Just another reason these little creatures are amazing. 🐝
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01/02/2026

☀️ Warm weather warning for Bokoshe Beekeepers! ⚠️

​Don't let this "False Spring" fool you. The warm temps are waking up our hives, causing them to fly and burn through their winter honey stores way too fast. Since there is no nectar flow yet, they are burning calories with no way to replace them.

​The Danger: High activity + No flowers = Starvation.
​The Fix:

1️⃣ Heft your hives today. If they feel light, they are in trouble.

2️⃣ Add emergency food. Use winter patties, fondant, or sugar bricks.

3️⃣ Check often. February is usually the hardest month for starvation!

​Save your colony now before the next freeze hits! 🐝❄️

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11/15/2025

This new area is designated for the relocation of the hives as their current placement is unsatisfactory and I aspire to revamp my yard, transforming it from a chaotic space to a well-organized and visually appealing environment.

07/21/2025