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.
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Articles by Josh Vaisman

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?

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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.

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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.

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How Do You Catch a Swarm of Bees?
March 17, 2020 · · Ask the Expert

The simplest answer to “how to catch a swarm of bees” is this — get the queen and all the ladies in something you can safely transport them in back to your apiary.

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Can Honey Bees Rehab Comb Damaged by Wax Moths?
February 17, 2020 · · Ask the Expert, Health & Pests

Oh man, there are few things more frustrating than a wax moth infestation. They are so destructive to the comb! The brief answer is yes, in most cases the bees can rehab comb damaged by wax moths.

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I Found Dead Moth Worms on My Bottom Board
November 21, 2019 · · Ask the Expert

I was out inspecting the bottom board of my strongest hive. I found 3 dead moth worms. The hive is three deep and packed. Is there anything I can do / should do this late in the season to treat? I did the OAV treatment this fall from your tutorial and it worked great.

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There’s Corn Syrup in My Bee Fondant. Is that OK?
September 5, 2019 · · Ask the Expert, Health & Pests

Is corn syrup OK for my bees? I realized that the store-bought bee fondant I ordered contains corn syrup. Should I be worried about that?

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What Yield Can I Expect Per Hive Per Season in Maryland?
August 26, 2019 · · Ask the Expert, Honey & Beeswax

When I have a colony overwinter — and they have no spring/summer issues such as a queen dying or an unexpected swarm — I generally get around 75-100 pounds of honey from each hive in Colorado.

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Does Peppermint Deter Wax Moths?
August 15, 2019 · · Ask the Expert, Health & Pests

Add to Favorites David writes: Have you had any results from putting mint near your hives to prevent wax moths? While I have heard of folks suggesting mint could be …

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Should I be Worried About Practice Queen Cups?
August 7, 2019 · · Ask the Expert

First off, if her laying pattern is still good, the colony population is to your liking, and the workers haven’t tried to replace her yet, you could consider just leaving her in there.

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