As of August 2026, both of our hives are thriving and have grown far beyond what we expected during our first season of beekeeping. The painted hive, which began with purchased bees and a queen, has developed into our strongest colony, filling two deep brood boxes and making impressive progress filling and capping honey in its supers. Our white hive, established from a captured swarm, has also grown remarkably well, drawing out most of its two deep boxes and beginning to build and store honey in its first super. Together, we estimate the two colonies now contain roughly 75,000–105,000 bees, and despite the heat, humidity, and occasional challenges that come with learning beekeeping, both colonies appear strong, active, and well positioned as we begin preparing them for fall and their first winter.
Helen's Bees Make Honey