About the Author

Kristi Cook

Kristi Cook lives in Arkansas where every year brings something new to her family’s journey for a more sustainable lifestyle. She keeps a flock of laying hens, dairy goats, a rapidly growing apiary, a large garden, and more. When she’s not busy with the critters and veggies, you can find her sharing sustainable living skills through her workshops, articles, and blog at tenderheartshomestead.com.

How Do I Harvest Royal Jelly?

March 24, 2020 · Kristi Cook · Ask The Expert

To harvest royal jelly in any quantifiable amount, you’ll need several strong, healthy hives and a working knowledge of queen grafting.

DIY Hive Top Feeder Plan

March 1, 2020 · Kristi Cook · Hives & Equipment

Bees are hungry little creatures that occasionally require supplemental feeding. Fortunately, feeding honey bees during the warmer months requires little more than selecting a feeder and filling it with syrup.

When Should I Perform the First Mite Check and Treatment?

February 11, 2020 · Kristi Cook · Ask The Expert, Health & Pests

A key time for getting a jump on varroa is when the colony is broodless, since any mites present will be in a phoretic state rather than hiding inside capped brood.

Conduct an Alcohol Wash for Varroa Mite Monitoring

November 22, 2019 · Kristi Cook · Health & Pests

Monitoring Varroa destructor’s infestation levels is arguably one of the most important tasks on a beehive inspection checklist — yet mite checks are also the most commonly forgotten task. This doesn’t have to be with so many fast and simple methods available.

Catch and Release Powdered Sugar Roll Varroa Mite Test

November 11, 2019 · Kristi Cook · Health & Pests

Knowing what a hive’s mite load is can mean the difference between a hive surviving the winter in a healthy state ready to tackle the next honey season and an almost guaranteed untimely death from the viruses and diseases contributed to high varroa loads.