Where the buzz never stops.
So you’ve decided to be a helpful citizen (or you’re searching for free bees), and you want to go out on honey bee swarm calls. Before you can start answering those calls, you need to be prepared. You’re going to need what I like to call: Bee Rapid Response Kit. Items needed First, you need…
Who wouldn’t love some free bees? Let’s get some swarm traps prepped and ready before the swarm season, but first . . . When is Swarm Season? Look for these key signs that the swarm season is about to begin: Prime Swarm First of all, what is a prime swarm? A prime swarm is the…
So the weather is warming up, and you can hardly wait to get in and see your bees again! What should you be looking for in the early spring, and what can you do to help them get ready for the busy summer season? Ideally, you want the temperatures to be at least 65 degrees…
What is a Nucleus Colony? Nucleus colony beekeeping is beekeeping with five-frame hives. Most hive bodies that you see will consist of eight or ten frames. So the five-frame nucleus boxes are going to be a smaller option, which is great for those who may be worried about dealing with the weight of the larger…
Bearding Behavior in Bees: Don’t Panic, This is NOT a Swarm! Temperature and Humidity It’s a hot day. It’s humid. It’s hot AND humid outside, so what do you think it’s like INSIDE the hive? It’s hot! So what are honey bees to do? They hang out on the outside of the hive. You will…
As a beekeeper, you will see queen cups in your hive. It’s one common concern I see or hear about often, especially in the spring and summer months when the bees are very active. Many new beekeepers see queen cups and immediately worry that something is wrong. Some new beekeepers do not know what the…
Finding the queen bee can be a challenge! Here are some quick tips, and videos to help you practice your queen finding skills!
Your bees made it through the winter. Congratulations! It’s a rewarding and exciting time for beekeepers! One question that I keep hearing once spring time approaches: Can I split my beehives now? Can I do it now? How about now? When can I split my bees?!? Sunshine, warmer weather, and bee activity may make you…
Beehive entrance reducers can be a very helpful tool for beekeepers. Here is how and when to use them.
Nucs, packages, installation. It sounded like another language to me when my husband, the original honey bee obsessed member of our family, wanted to begin beekeeping. Should we start with a “nuc” (nucleus) colony or package bees? Does it matter? The nuc colony is the best option for buying bees. New beekeepers, especially, should begin…