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By Ramona Frances

Truckloads of hives are arriving in Madera County from sundown to sunrise in time for the almond bloom that may begin any time after Valentine's Day.

Transporting colonies typically occurs at night when bees are inactive.

"Usually by the second week of February and before the bloom starts, bees are in place in the fields, but that is going to vary depending on the weather," said Judy Cumming, Madera County senior agriculture standards inspector.

Cumming and a team of county inspectors check hives each year to make sure red imported fire ants have not piggybacked onto the boxes for a free ride into almond country. RIFA is a serious threat, not only to the agriculture industry but to humans and pets.

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Ramona Frances Ramona Frances is a staff columnist, writer and photographer for the Madera Tribune. You may contact Ramona at 674.8134 ext. 222 or by e-mail ramona (at) maderatribune.net The Madera Tribune online subscription To subscribe or log on, CLICK HERE. For more information first, CLICK HERE.