Filtering beeswax can take a bit of trial and error as you get a feel for the process. However, with a bit of practice, you’ll be an old pro in no time. So first, let’s talk about the bubbles you’re seeing in your wax as that’s the first indicator of what is most likely the underlying cause of your multi-shaded wax.
Read MoreMany people, especially those with fruit trees to pollinate, want to keep both mason bees and honey bees in the same yard. But is that good for the bees? Will they harm each other or compete for resources? How close is too close?
Read MoreShould I leave supers on for the winter?
Read MoreAdd to Favorites A guide to Beekeeping in the Northern Hemisphere. Loving Hive Highlights? Download other helpful resources in this series! CLICK HERE to get your pdf!
Read MoreAdd to Favorites A guide to Beekeeping in the Northern Hemisphere. Loving Hive Highlights? Download other helpful resources in this series! CLICK HERE to get your pdf!
Read MoreEven without a queen, a honey bee can complete her normal adult lifespan of about four-to-six weeks.
Read MoreI live in the NC Piedmont. I prepared my hives for winter last Sunday by removing the top supers and adding a quilt frame and a candy board. These are two first-year hives. The honey was not capped last month. This month it’s all capped including eight full frames in the supers and four that are about half full.
Read MoreA quilt box is a great way to absorb the water that condenses from bees’ respiration during the colder months. While bees can tolerate cold temperatures, the moisture can be deadly.
Read MoreBefore you begin to combine the two double-deep hives, try to consolidate the brood nests in each hive. For example, If one hive has five frames of brood in one box, and two in the other box, try to put all seven of them in one box. Repeat this process in the other hive.
Read MoreYou can requeen a colony at nearly any time of year. The queen will slow her laying sometime after the summer solstice and continue to decrease the rate of laying until perhaps October or November. Most queens begin increasing the rate of lay soon after the winter solstice.
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