blog How to manage your hive tools
beekeeping tools

How to manage your hive tools

1 year ago

I spend a lot of time looking for my hive tool because I use it so often. I keep it in my beekeeping box, but I often take it out to use and then can't remember where I put it down. I have a few spare hive tools, but they are not as good as the one I use most often.

I'm not the best at beekeeping, and I often lose my tools before I even get to the first hive. It's frustrating, but I'm determined to keep trying. I know it's important work and I enjoy being around the bees. Hopefully someday I'll be better at it!

I begin by putting the beekeeping tool in my hive tool pocket that's sewn into my bee suit. I open the hive and smoke billows out, I lost the beekeeping tool in the hive.

How beekeeping tool goes missing each time, I’m not sure, but I think I try to slide it into a pocket and miss. Each time I go to reach for it, it’s not there. I’ve looked in all the usual places, but it’s just not there. Maybe it’s time to invest in a new one.

Lost can't be found

I've started putting my hive tools in my back pocket when I check my hives and so far it's working! I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. Maybe it's because I'm used to putting my phone in my back pocket and my hive tool is just the right size. Whatever the reason, it's working and I'm happy.

How to solve

The beekeeping apron is a key part of any beekeeper's outfit. It protects your clothes from getting covered in honey and wax, and it also has pockets where you can store all of your beekeeping tools. The apron is a great way to keep everything you need close at hand, and it can help you stay organized while you're working with your bees.

Beekeeping Tools

Beehive Chisel With Wooden Handle

This beehive chisel tool can also be used for lifting frames.

Beehive Chisel With Wooden Handle

View On HonestBee

Duck Mouth Hive Tool

The duck mouth hive tool is a necessity for the beekeeper. It is used to open and close hives, as well as to remove beeswax and honeycomb. The duck mouth hive tool is also used to scrape away excess beeswax and propolis from the hive walls and frames.

Duck Mouth Hive Tool

View On HonestBee

Flat Hive Tool

A hive tool is a multi-purpose tool used by beekeepers to open, inspect and work with beehives. A hive tool is usually made of metal and has a flat end and a serrated end. The flat end is used to pry open hive bodies and frames, while the serrated end is used to scrape away wax and propolis. Hive tools are essential for any beekeeper, and a good hive tool should be sturdy, comfortable to hold and easy to use.

Flat Hive Tool

View On HonestBee

J Hook Hive Tool

The J Hook hive tool is a great addition to any beekeeper's arsenal. This tool is designed to help with the removal of honeycomb from hives. It can also be used to scrape away wax and propolis. The J Hook hive tool is made from stainless steel and is very durable.

J Hook Hive Tool

View On HonestBee

RELATED ARTICLES

The Secret of BEEHIVE ENTRANCE REDUCERS

A beehive entrance reducer is a small piece of hardware that is used to restrict the size of the opening to the hive. Entrance reducers can be used for different things at different times of the year. In the spring, when the hive is first being established, the reducer can be used to help control the size of the colony. Later in the season, when the hive is more established, the reducer can be used to help prevent pests and predators from getting into the hive.

Find out more

should I use POLLEN TRAPS

A pollen trap is a device used by beekeepers to collect pollen from bees as they enter the hive. By engaging a pollen trap for a day, you can obtain foraging information about your colonies. To do this, take a subsample of the pollen collected and send it to a laboratory for analysis.

Find out more

Is EXCLUDERS necessary

Called honey excluders or queen excluders, excluders are used to restrict the queen to the bottom of the hive, usually one or two hive bodies, called the brood chamber. By doing this, the beekeeper can put frames of honey above the excluder in what is called the supers. The queen cannot lay eggs in the supers, so the honey is not contaminated by brood.

Find out more

RAIN COVERS and beehive

Find out more

How To Start RELIGHTING A BEE SMOKER

There are a few things that can cause a bee smoker to go out during use. If the smoker is not placed on a level surface, the fuel can fall to one side and smother the fire. The wind can also blow the smoke away from the bees, making it difficult to keep them calm. Traveling between bee yards can also cause the smoker to go out if it is not placed in a secure location.</p> <h2>The Traditional Method.

Find out more

Why You Really Need (A) NITRILE GLOVES

A beekeeper might want to wear nitrile gloves when working with bees in order to avoid being stung. The gloves also provide protection from the bee's chemicals and other materials that could cause skin irritation.

Find out more

FRAME FEEDERS and beekeeper

Frame feeders are placed inside the hive, between the frames, and provide a space for the bees to store sugar syrup. The syrup is drawn up into the feeder by capillary action, and the bees can access it as needed. One advantage of frame feeders is that they allow the bees to control the rate at which they consume the syrup, and they will not gorge themselves and become sick as they might with an open bucket feeder. frame feeders also make it easy to monitor how much syrup the bees are consuming.

Find out more

How to use Gravity Feeders

Find out more

FEEDING BEES: Top feeders

A top feeder is a device that sits on top of the hive and dispenses feed through a small hole. The bees have to fly up to the feeder to get the food, which can be a good way to encourage them to exercise. Top feeders are also useful when you need to give the bees medication, as you can mix it in with the feed.

Find out more

Things You Must Know About INDOOR BEE COLONY FOR WINTER

Over the last several years, indoor storage has been rapidly gaining greater popularity among US commercial beekeepers and an increasing number of colonies are spending time indoors. The trend is being driven by numerous factors, including the ongoing challenges associated with outdoor beekeeping, such as parasites, pathogens, and pesticide exposure, as well as the increased demand for honey and other bee products. Indoor storage provides a controlled environment in which bees can be protected from many of the threats they face outdoors, and this is leading to higher survival rates and greater productivity.

Find out more

Bee Smoker: KEEP BEES CALM

As a new beekeeper, you will likely have a tough time keeping your bees calm during inspections. However, there are a few things you can do to help make the process go more smoothly. First, try to keep inspections short and sweet. Second, provide the bees with food and water prior to the inspection so they are not too hungry or thirsty. Finally, be sure to use slow, gentle movements when handling the hive and the bees. With a little practice, you will be able to keep your bees calm and happy during inspections.

Find out more

FOUNDATION OR FOUNDATIONLESS FRAMES

Find out more

Watch your beehive bottom board

A screened bottom board is a great way to get a closer look at the activity inside your beehive. By providing a clear view of the bees as they move around, it becomes easier to track the comings and goings of the queen, identify potential problems, and monitor the overall health of the hive. Additionally, a sliding varroa drawer beneath the screened bottom board can help you keep an eye on Varroa mite levels in your hive, and take action if necessary to keep them under control.

Find out more

Details about the Langstroth hive

Details about the Langstroth hive. Langstroth's hive consisted of a series of boxes, each with removable frames, that could be stacked on top of each other. The frames had a series of wires running through them, which kept the bees from being able to build their waxcomb in between the frame bars. This innovation made it possible to inspect the hive without destroying it, as well as to easily remove honey.

Find out more

How to get the most out of your slatted rack

A slatted rack is a piece of equipment that is placed under the beehive to provide extra ventilation. This can be especially beneficial during the hot summer months, as it will help to keep the hive cooler. The slats also allow the bees to move up and down the hive more easily, which can help to prevent them from becoming overcrowded.

Find out more

Up or Down, What's the Best Hive Passage?

Upper entrances to beehives are a divisive topic among beekeepers. Some maintain that they are the best invention since sliced bread, while others contend that they are an efficient way to kill your colony. There is no right or wrong answer, but it is important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision about whether or not to use an upper entrance.

Find out more

Does your beehive need a landing board?

There are a few different issues that beekeepers have with landing boards and wee porches. The first is that they can be a pain to keep clean. All of the pollen and wax that the bees bring in can quickly build up on the landing board and make it difficult to keep clean. The second issue is that they can attract other bees and pests to the hive. If there is a bee or pest that is attracted to the landing board, it can quickly become a problem for the entire hive. Finally, some beekeepers simply don't like the look of them. They feel that they make the hive look messy and cluttered.

Find out more

How to manage your hive tools

I spend a lot of time looking for my hive tool because I use it so often. I keep it in my beekeeping box, but I often take it out to use and then can't remember where I put it down. I have a few spare hive tools, but they are not as good as the one I use most often.

Find out more

How To Liquefy The Honey

How to liquefy honey? Honey is a natural sugar and will crystallize over time. The rate at which honey crystallizes depends on the type of honey. Canola honey will crystallize almost immediately, while honey made from tree flowers will crystallize slowly over months or even years.

Find out more

Master Guide – Which Beekeeping Equipment Are Most Commonly Used And Necessary

Find out more

How to choose the right Honey Extractor for you

There are a few different ways to harvest honey from bees, but the most common is using a centrifuge. A large plastic or stainless steel drum or container holds a frame basket, which spins and forces the honey out onto the inside of the drum. The honey is then collected and bottled. This method is relatively gentle on the bees and doesn't require too much processing before the honey is ready to eat.

Find out more

Uses and collection methods of propolis

Propolis is a natural substance that has been used for centuries for its antiseptic and healing properties. Bee propolis is a resinous mixture that bees create from tree resin and wax. They use it to line their hives and as a sealant. Propolis has antibiotic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is these properties that make it useful in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions.

Find out more

What is a Queen Excluder And How To Use It

A queen excluder is a selective barrier inside a beehive that limits the queen’s access to parts of the hive. The most common type of queen excluder is a wire mesh screen with hexagonal-shaped openings. This type of excluder allows worker bees to pass through, but queen bees and drones are too large to fit through the openings. Pros of queen excluders and Cons of queen excluders

Find out more

Why Did My Bees Leave?

You're a brand new beekeeper. You open the hive and find that the bees have already started building comb and are bringing in pollen and nectar. You're pleased with their progress and close the hive back up. You'll check on them again in a few days to make sure they're doing well. To your horror, your bees have left after only a couple of days. You can't figure out what went wrong. You followed the instructions perfectly on installing a package of bees into a new hive. All you can do now is wait and hope that they come back.

Find out more

How To To Save Your Package Queen

The queen bee delivered with package bees has a good chance of dying during the first year, leaving the new beekeeper queenless in the worst possible time. A new queen must be installed as soon as possible or the colony will soon die. The process of installing a new queen is called "queen replacement". New beekeepers often feel like they are to blame when their package of bees fails. However, the reality is that around 40% of package bees fail regardless of the beekeeper. This is likely due to a combination of factors, including the health of the bees when they are packaged and the beekeeper's experience level.

Find out more

How To Keep Your Package Bees From Leaving

It's always a risk when you get a new package of bees that they will take off and leave, but there are some things you can do to reduce that risk. Don't disturb the hive too much in the first few days after you get the bees, so they have time to settle in and get used to their new home.

Find out more
Do You Need A Hive Scale

Do You Need A Hive Scale

A hive scale is a device used by beekeepers to weigh hives and determine the amount of honey present. This information is essential for beekeepers looking to manage their hives and produce honey. While it would take years of beekeeping to develop the skills required to gather the same information a hive scale will give you, it is well worth the investment.

Find out more
The Best Way To Feed Bees

The Best Way To Feed Bees

The best option is to use a variety of foods to ensure that your bees are getting the nutrition they need. Beekeeping catalogs offer a wide variety of options when it comes to feeding bees. Each option has its own set of positives and negatives.

Find out more
Do filters affect pollen in honey?

Do filters affect pollen in honey?

Pollen is a very fine powder that is released by plants. Some of the largest pollen granules only measure 100 microns wide, half the size of the smallest hobbyist filter. Pollen can cause respiratory problems for some people and can be a nuisance when it gets tracked into the home.

Find out more
How About The Flow Beehive

How About The Flow Beehive

The Flow Hive is a beehive that allows honey to flow directly from the comb without disturbing the bees. This means that you can harvest honey without having to open up the hive, which is much less disruptive to the bees.

Find out more
How to Make Syrup for Bee Swarms

How to Make Syrup for Bee Swarms

Bees collect nectar from flowers to make honey. They also use it to build their combs. The energy to build the comb comes from the flowers. When there are no flowers in bloom, bees who have keepers are usually given sugar syrup. The beekeeper also helps the bees by giving them a place to live and by keeping them healthy. What is the right syrup ratio?

Find out more
How To Keep Your Bees Through The Cold Winter

How To Keep Your Bees Through The Cold Winter

Insects don't have the luxury of being able to put on a coat or build a fire when the temperature drops, so they have to rely on their own natural mechanisms to get them through the winter. For honeybees, this means huddling together in a big group to generate warmth. The bees at the center of the group will vibrate their flight muscles to create heat, and the bees on the outer edge of the group will rotate so that everyone gets a chance to be in the warm center.

Find out more
How to Paint and protect your new beehive

How to Paint and protect your new beehive

Painting beehives is one of the easiest things you can do to protect your investment. A fresh coat of paint will extend the life of your hives and save you money in the long run. Plus, it's a quick and easy project that anyone can do.

Find out more
How To Use A Smoker

How To Use A Smoker

The bee smoker is an important tool for the beekeeper. It is used to calm the bees and to make it easier to work with them. The bee smoker is lit and then placed on top of the hive. The bee smoker calms the bees and makes it easier to work with them.

Find out more
What kind of equipment should beekeepers prepare for winter?

What kind of equipment should beekeepers prepare for winter?

When winter approaches and honey supers are removed from the hives, we are left with many valuable resources which need to be properly protected in storage over winter. This includes the honey, pollen, propolis, and beeswax. To ensure these resources last until spring, we need to take proper care of them. This means storing them in a cool, dry place away from any pests or animals that might try to get at them. With proper care, we can enjoy the fruits of our labor all winter long!

Find out more
Tools you need to know before beekeeping

Tools you need to know before beekeeping

As a new beekeeper, you will need a hive tool, smoker, way to feed your bees, protective gear, and hive boxes. These are essential for keeping your bees healthy and happy.

Find out more
How to Help Bee Colonies Overwinter - Preparing Beehives for Winter

How to Help Bee Colonies Overwinter - Preparing Beehives for Winter

Without the right preparation, the hives can be too cold or too moist, which can kill the bees.Winter is the most difficult season for bees, especially if the beekeeper hasn’t prepared the hives correctly. Winter preparation is essential for the health of the hive and the bees. The beekeeper must make sure the hive is the right temperature and humidity, and that there is enough food and water.

Find out more
How to choose a beehive for novice beekeepers

How to choose a beehive for novice beekeepers

Find out more
Beginner knowledge of beekeeping

Beginner knowledge of beekeeping

Beekeeping is an exciting world in which we connect with nature while producing top quality honey and other natural products for home or commercial use. It's a great way to learn about the natural world while providing a wonderful service to our community. Beekeeping provides us with an up-close look at the amazing world of bees and their vital role in our ecosystem. Not only do we get to enjoy the delicious honey they produce, but we also get to help pollinate our plants and crops.

Find out more
The social structure of bee populations

The social structure of bee populations

The bee colony is an amazing society, The female worker bees and the drones are both sterile. The bee society is a fascinating one that is made up of the queen (the only sexually developed female), the worker bees, and the drones. The female worker bees and the drones are both sterile, yet they play important roles in the society. The queen is responsible for laying eggs and keeping the hive running smoothly, while the worker bees collect nectar and pollen and build the honeycomb. The drones, though sterile, help to mate with new queens and keep the hive's population strong.

Find out more