blog

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.

Learn More

Queen cups are used to rear new queens and can be a good or bad thing depending on the beekeeper's needs. If a hive is queenless, then the presence of queen cups is a good sign that the bees are trying to create a new queen. However, if the hive already has a queen, the queen cups can be a sign that the bees are preparing to swarm. Swarming is when a portion of the bees leave the hive to form a new colony. This can be problematic for the beekeeper if they are not prepared for it.

Learn More

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

Learn More

Learn More

There are several variations of foundationless frames we have made in the past few years. The main types are the Langstroth deep, medium and shallow frames; the top bar hive; and the Warre hive. The basic idea is to have a box with removable frames that bees can build comb in without the use of a solid foundation. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, but overall, foundationless frames are great for honey production and for controlling Varroa mites.

Learn More

An entrance reducer on a bee hive is a small piece of wood or metal that is placed over the hive entrance. This reducer makes the opening smaller, which helps to keep the bees warm in the winter. We use beehive entrance reducers to keep out pests and predators, and to help the bees regulate the temperature inside the hive. By reducing the size of the entrance, we can keep out drafts, and help the bees keep the hive at a consistent temperature. This is especially important in the winter, when the bees need to cluster together to stay warm.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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?

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

Beekeepers have been placing markings on honeybee queens for as long as queens have been raised. It may seem a bit strange to see it done, but it is actually a very important part of beekeeping. By marking the queens, beekeepers can keep track of which queen is which and what her lineage is. This is important for breeding purposes and for keeping track of the health of the hive.

Learn More

The once crisp, white ventilated beekeeping suits becomes dirty and grimy after just a few hours of wear. Don’t fret, beekeeping suits can be returned to it’s previously. It’s actually a lot like doing regular laundry, but with some considerations. You should always gently wash your beekeeping suit in cool water with a mild soap. Avoid hot water or putting your beekeeping suit in the dryer, as this can damage the fabric. Instead, hang your beekeeping suit to dry in a cool, well-ventilated area.

Learn More

Learn More

Honey is available in a variety of colors and shades, the most notable being shades of yellow, brown, and red. The color of honey depends on the type of flowers that the bees collect nectar from. A honey's color can tell you a lot about its taste. For example, darker honeys tend to be more robust and have a stronger flavor, while lighter honeys are more delicate and have a sweeter taste. This is because the different nectar sources that bees collect from have different amounts of sugar and other compounds.

Learn More

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!

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

Learn More

The placement of our hives is critical to the quality and quantity of the honey we produce. The location must have ample sunlight and be away from any possible sources of contamination. We must also consider the flow of the land, as the bees will need access to a water source. Once we have found the perfect spot for our hives, we will need to ensure that the area is clear of any obstacles.

Learn More

The beekeeper has the responsibility of ensuring that his or her bees are not foraging on plants that have been sprayed with pesticides. This is important because the pesticides can be harmful to the bees and can potentially kill them. The beekeeper can do this by keeping an eye on the plants that the bees are foraging on and making sure that they have not been sprayed with pesticides.

Learn More

The average worker bee collects about 1/12th teaspoon of honey in her lifetime. In one day, a worker bee may visit as many as 100 flowers. During collection, bees add enzymes to the nectar that begin the process of converting it into honey. Once the nectar is collected, it is placed into wax honeycomb cells within the beehive where evaporation occurs.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

Comb honey is the most natural form of honey. The bees build the comb in their hive and store the honey inside. The comb is then cut out of the hive and the honey is scooped out. Extracted honey is when the bees build the comb and store the honey inside, but the comb is then removed from the hive and the honey is extracted from the comb using a machine.

Learn More

The honey extractor is based on the principle of rotating centrifugation to separate the honey from the nest spleen. The rotating nest frame holder is located inside the barrel and when you rotate it at the proper speed, the honey inside the honey spleen is thrown away from the nest room and flows into the barrel due to centrifugal action.

Learn More

The necessary beekeeping protection tools are a veil, gloves, and a smoker. The veil protects your head and face from bee stings. The gloves protect your hands from bee stings. The smoker calms the bees and makes them less likely to sting.

Learn More