About the Author

Josh Vaisman

Josh Vaisman is an avid beekeeper and instructor in Northern Colorado. An active member of the Northern Colorado Beekeepers Association, Josh has been involved in the education of new beekeepers on behalf of the association and privately. Like most people who study apiculture, Josh started into beekeeping as a hobby, and offers valuable experience to those wanting to start beekeeping about the learning curve involved, what to do, and what not to do when getting started. When not tending to his hives, Josh is a Positive Change Ninja with Flourish Veterinary Consulting, a company he co-founded to apply the science of well-being to the veterinary workplace. He lives in Firestone, Colorado with his wife, Greta.
Read More

Articles by Josh Vaisman

Feeding Honey Bees Successfully
February 19, 2021 · · Health & Pests

When I participated in the Northern Colorado Beekeepers Association beginning beekeeping class, I was exposed to more than 15 hours of education. Needless to say, much of it was new to my brain and I felt regularly surprised (in a good way!) by what I learned.

Read More
Urban Beekeeping Benefits You and Your Neighbors
December 27, 2020 · · Beekeeping 101

The list of urban beekeeping benefits is extensive, so long as we approach it in a neighborly way. Being a courteous beekeeper in a city or suburb goes a long way.

Read More
Should I Leave Supers on For the Winter?
September 11, 2020 · · Ask The Expert, Hives & Equipment

Should I leave supers on for the winter?

Read More
Hive Robbing: Keeping Your Colony Safe
August 8, 2020 · · Health & Pests

Honey bee robbing is an almost desperate commitment, en masse, to maximizing a resource. Here’s why it happens, how to prevent it, and how to stop it when you see it.

Read More
Your Seasonal Beekeeping Calendar
July 3, 2020 · · Beekeeping 101

When you are new to beekeeping, it’s good to have a game plan. Today let’s explore a seasonal beekeeping calendar and your to-do’s throughout the year.

Read More
How Many Frames of Capped Brood is Optimum in a Double Deep During Summer?
June 29, 2020 · · Ask The Expert, Beekeeping 101

Tyler from Montana writes: How many frames of capped brood is the optimum in a double deep during summer?

Read More
Should I be Worried About my Walkaway Split?
May 19, 2020 · · Ask The Expert, Health & Pests

There are a couple of versions of a split (or divide) that simulate this. One is by using swarm cells in the split(s). The other, which it sounds like is what you did, we call a “walkaway split.” I just did one yesterday so I’ll explain how I did it.

Read More
Why Did My Newly Installed Bees Make a Queen Cell?
April 23, 2020 · · Ask The Expert, Health & Pests

Mary writes … Today was inspection day and I found what appears to be a queen cell … yikes!

Read More
How Do I Prepare a Dead Hive for New Bees?
April 17, 2020 · · Ask The Expert

Unless the colony died because of a nasty disease like American Foulbrood, you can definitely re-use the equipment. AFB would present as a horrible smelling hive with rotting, brown, slimy brood. You don’t want to re-use equipment if the colony had AFB because it will pass on the new bees.

Read More
Why Did My Bees Leave the Hive? What is NOT a Swarm!
April 12, 2020 · · Health & Pests

Cartoons and movies give us an (incorrect) idea of what swarming bees look like. So when the time to ask questions came up in my first beekeeping class, I asked, “Why might my bees leave the hive?”

Read More