Beekeeping For Newbees 
One of the most frustrating things in beekeeping is watching half of your strongest colony leave. You’ve nurtured them all year, made it through winter, and now just as the hive is hitting its stride, they decide to take off. Swarming is a natural part of colony reproduction, but as a beekeeper, it’s something I … Read more
Swarming can rob you of half a colony right at the peak of spring buildup. If you’ve ever opened a hive and found queen cells while the original queen is still inside, you know you’re on borrowed time. One strategy that many beekeepers use to interrupt swarm behavior without actually splitting the colony is the … Read more
It’s easy to panic when you open a hive and don’t see a queen. Maybe the brood looks light, or you’ve got antsy bees, or things just feel off. The first instinct for a lot of beekeepers is to assume the queen is gone and jump straight to requeening. However, making that move too early … Read more
Requeening is one of those tasks in beekeeping that you don’t do often, but when you do, it’s a big deal. It’s not just about replacing a queen, it’s about correcting problems, improving genetics, and setting the colony up for success through the next season. Whether your queen has aged out, gone missing, or just … Read more
Swarm season hits fast and doesn’t wait. One minute you’re scrolling your phone, the next you’re getting a call that there’s a cluster of bees hanging from a swing set, a tree limb, or worse, buried deep in someone’s outdoor grill. The last thing you want to do is scramble around trying to find what … Read more
Lighting a bee smoker seems simple—until you’re standing in your bee yard with a handful of smoldering burlap and a hive full of increasingly annoyed honey bees. If you’ve ever struggled to keep your smoker going long enough to finish an inspection, you’re not alone. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I light … Read more
Beekeeping can be a fulfilling and enjoyable hobby, but it comes with its own set of challenges and risks. Understanding key safety measures is essential to protect yourself and ensure a positive experience while working with bees. Taking the time to learn these precautions will not only help you avoid potential hazards but also foster … Read more
Starting your beekeeping journey with package bees is always exciting. These buzzing boxes contain thousands of workers and a mated queen ready to get to work building out their new home. Whether you’re setting up your very first hive or expanding your apiary, proper installation helps the colony get off to a strong start. In … Read more
Harvesting honey can be a rewarding experience for both beginners and seasoned beekeepers alike. Knowing the essential steps to effectively harvest honey ensures that you can gather this sweet product safely and efficiently. By following a structured approach, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor while maintaining the health of your bee colonies. Equipped … Read more
Every spring I get flooded with messages like:“I had a few hives that didn’t make it through the winter, but I’ve got some frames of honey left. Can I use them in a new hive this year?” The short answer is yes, in most cases you can, but there are a few important things to consider … Read more