Santa Rosa Plantation Wildflower Honey: SWARMS, SWARMS, SWARMS! HONEY BEE SWARMS

Santa Rosa plantation dates to the 17th century, though the plantation house in its current form dates to only 1840. Santa Rosa has been home to bees and excellent honey since before the American Revolution. For example, the will of Captain James Gee (1694-1760) filed at Prince George County Courthouse on February 16, 1760 lists among the Captain’s possessions “7 bees and hives.” During the Civil War Santa Rosa plantation was very close to the siege line surrounding Petersburg but the house itself was not burnt down because the Federals used the house as a headquarters and a field hospital…the heart pine floorboards on the 3d floor are covered with many large blood stains from the wounded soldiers. In 1864 the Union headquarters and hospital at Santa Rosa were overrun by Confederate cavalry on their way to rustle 5,000 Federal cattle that were corralled at Coggins point, cattle that were meant to feed the Union Army but instead were driven back to Petersburg by the rebels and ended up feeding the Confederate Army, prolonging the siege of Petersburg until 1865.

“If the bee disappeared off the face of the earth, man would only have four years left to live.”-Maurice Maeterlinck, The Life of the Bee

Santa Rosa Plantaion BeeFarm: Home to the OLDEST Living Pecan Tree in Virginai

The Ancient Pecan of Santa Rosa

Towering above Santa Rosa and visible for miles around, being twice the height of the surrounding trees and other vegetation, is the mighty Ancient Pecan. Pecan trees are native to Prince George County and were cultivated by the Indians long before the English settlers arrived, but are still rather rare, since the abundant squirrels love to eat not only the Pecan nuts, but also devour the Pecan seedlings greedily. The trunk of the Ancient Pecan of Santa Rosa measures 24 feet in circumference. The Ancient Pecan of Santa Rosa is at least 350 years old, arguably the oldest living Pecan tree in Virginia. The long vertical scar on the east facing side of the tree, a scar possibly caused by a past lightning strike, has been the home of a colony of wild honey bees…could Pooh get his paw in there to scoop out the honey?

“Well," said Pooh, "what I like best," and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called.” ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

“If the bee disappeared off the face of the earth, man would only have four years left to live.”-Maurice Maeterlinck, The Life of the Bee

Saturday, April 23, 2016

SWARMS, SWARMS, SWARMS! HONEY BEE SWARMS

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FIND A SWARM ON YOUR PROPERTY?

Immediately contact a local beekeeper to remove the swarm. FYI: Simple swarm removals will be a free service.
Provide a description of the swarm to the beekeeper such as its location, how high off the ground, how large is it, how long the bees have been there, and confirmation that they are "honey bees"
DO NOT DISTURB THE SWARM. In general, honey bee swarms are docile but keep your distance to ensure your safety.
Remove pets and all animals from the swarm site.
Important: DO NOT spray the swarm with insecticide!