The Flow Hive is a type of beehive that is designed to make it easier for beekeepers to harvest honey. It consists of a series of plastic frames that are filled with wax cells, which the bees use to store honey. The frames are designed to allow the honey to flow out of the cells and into a collection tray when the beekeeper turns a valve, eliminating the need to open the hive and extract the honey by hand.
One advantage of the Flow Hive is that it allows the beekeeper to harvest honey without disturbing the bees or exposing themselves to the risk of being stung. This c...
A “nuc” hive, also known as a nucleus hive, is a small, temporary hive that is used in beekeeping to create a new colony or to re-queen an existing colony. Nuc hives are typically smaller than traditional hives, and they are designed to be easy to transport and manage.
One advantage of a nuc hive is that it allows the beekeeper to create a new colony from a small group of bees, rather than starting from scratch with a package of bees. This can be particularly useful for beekeepers who want to quickly and easily expand their apiary or who are trying to intro...
Top bar hives are a type of hive designed for backyard beekeeping. They are characterized by their horizontal design, which consists of a series of wooden bars or “combs” that the bees build their honeycombs on. Unlike traditional hive designs, which use frames to hold the combs in place, top bar hives do not use frames, allowing the bees to build their combs in a more natural, free-form manner.
Top bar hives have several advantages for backyard beekeeping. They are relatively simple and inexpensive to build, and they do not require the use of specialized e...
Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees and is used in a variety of products, including:
Candles: Beeswax is a common ingredient in candles, as it burns cleanly and has a natural honey scent.
Chewing gum: Beeswax is used as a chewing gum base and helps to give chewing gum its texture and flavor.
Baked goods: Beeswax is used as a glazing agent in some baked goods, such as fruit tarts and pastries.
Cosmetics: Beeswax is used in a variety of cosmetics, including lip balms, lotions, and creams, due to its emollient properties.
Wood polish: Beeswax is used as a natu...
A superceder cell is a small, cup-shaped structure that is used by bees to raise a new queen. Superceder cells are similar to queen cups, but they are typically smaller and are located on the face of a comb rather than on the bottom of a frame.
Superceder cells are used when the hive is preparing to replace the current queen, but is not planning to swarm. This can happen when the current queen is failing or has died, or when the hive is overcrowded and needs to divide into two separate colonies.
To create a superceder cell, the bees will fill a small cup-shaped structu...
A honeybee swarm trap is a device that is used by beekeepers to capture swarms of bees. A swarm is a group of bees that have left their hive in search of a new home. Swarm traps are typically placed near the location where the bees are expected to swarm and are baited with a substance that is attractive to bees, such as lemongrass oil or honey.
Swarm traps come in a variety of designs, but most consist of a small hive or box that is designed to mimic the conditions of a natural hive. The interior of the trap is typically lined with a material that is attractive to bees...
Yes, it is possible to do backyard beekeeping in an urban environment. However, there are a few factors that you should consider before starting a hive in an urban setting.
First, check the local laws and regulations regarding beekeeping. Some cities have specific ordinances that regulate or prohibit beekeeping within city limits. It’s important to familiarize yourself with these laws and obtain any necessary permits before starting a hive.
Second, consider the size of your property and the availability of forage for the bees. Bees need a source of nectar and pol...
A Taranov split is a method used by beekeepers to divide a colony of bees into two separate hives. It is named after the Russian beekeeper, Nikolai Taranov, who developed the technique.
The Taranov split involves separating the bees into two equal-sized groups, each with its own queen. One group is kept in the original hive, while the other is moved to a new hive. The process is typically done in the spring or early summer when the hive is strong and there is plenty of forage available for the bees.
The purpose of a Taranov split is to create a new, strong hive without...
Beekeepers often capture swarms of bees to add to their hives or to relocate the bees to a new location. A swarm is a group of bees that have left their hive in search of a new home.
There are a few different methods that beekeepers use to capture swarms, including:
Using a swarm trap: A swarm trap is a small hive or box that is designed to attract swarms of bees. It is typically placed near the location where the bees are expected to swarm and is baited with a substance that is attractive to bees, such as lemongrass oil or honey. Once the bees enter the trap, the bee...
Sugar is not inherently bad for bees, and in fact, bees rely on sugar as a source of energy to fuel their activities. Bees get sugar from the nectar of flowers, which they collect and bring back to the hive. They then process the nectar to produce honey, which they store as a food source for the hive.
However, while sugar is not inherently bad for bees, there are some potential negative impacts that can result from feeding bees sugar. For example:
Dependence on sugar: Bees that are fed large amounts of sugar may become dependent on it as a food source, rather than for...
