raising-bees Archives - Backyard Beekeeping

Can I Raise Bees on Forest Land?

December 30, 2019 · Rusty Burlew · Ask The Expert

Honey bees are adept at finding seepages from hillsides, moist layers of moss, morning dew, and even traces of water in soil where another animal has been digging. Most of their water will come from nectar, and even in the driest areas, something is usually in bloom.

How to Talk to Vegans About Honey & Bees

August 25, 2019 · Backyard Beekeeping Contributor · Honey & Beeswax

I have yet to meet a beekeeper—commercial or hobbyist—who doesn’t adore his or her bees. There is a beauty and a romance to beekeeping that begins with the sun, and, if you are lucky, ends in a bonanza of the best tasting honey you have ever known.

Let’s Talk About Losing Bees

February 5, 2019 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Health & Pests

Like many beekeepers, we lost bees this winter. New packages failed to build up in a normal way last summer and were unusually slow to build comb and put away stores into fall. In September, aggressive yellow jacket predation weakened them further leaving them unable to carry themselves through the cold.

Propolis: Bee Glue that Heals

February 5, 2019 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Honey & Beeswax

Honeybee propolis is a brown or reddish resinous substance made by bees to protect the hive against animal and bacterial invaders. The word “propolis” is a compound of the Greek words “pro” and “polis” and translates to, “Before the city.” Bees use propolis as a building material to fill gaps and crevices, varnish combs and shape entrances, sometimes creating fantastic gobs that supposedly aid ventilation in the hive.

Flow Hive Review: Honey on Tap

February 1, 2019 · Angela Ferraro-Fanning · Hives & Equipment

Add to Favorites I never thought that I would be keeping bees. In fact, my healthy fear of them as a child had me spending warm summer days indoors and …

How to Make Beeswax Candles

February 1, 2019 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Honey & Beeswax

Add to Favorites Story and Photos By Laura Tyler, Colorado – Beeswax comes in a range of colors, from lemon-yellow to warm, grizzly brown — depending on its age and what part …

6 Simple Beeswax Uses

February 1, 2019 · Angi Schneider · Honey & Beeswax

Add to Favorites Most of the time when we think about raising bees we think of the honey; however, bees make several other “products” that the beekeeper will need to manage. One …

How to Set Up a Backyard Apiary

February 1, 2019 · Angi Schneider · Hives & Equipment

Add to Favorites About six years ago our son (who was 12 at the time) told us he wanted to start keeping bees. Beekeeping was something we were interested in starting …