SWARMS
It's a bee colony's reproductive behavior. Can you and should you stop it in your apiary? How to catch swarms, and more.
PREDATORS
Yes, bees have predators! Learn how to identify them and prepare your colonies for possible threats.
PREDATORS
Yes, bees have predators! Learn how to identify them and prepare your colonies for possible threats.
SOCIAL MEDIA
A great way to get information, both good and bad, from fellow hobby beekeepers.
SOCIAL MEDIA
A great way to get information, both good and bad, from fellow hobby beekeepers.
SOCIAL MEDIA
A great way to get information, both good and bad, from fellow hobby beekeepers.
WAX & OTHER HIVE PRODUCTS
Wax, propolis, pollin, bee venim for lip balm, tinctures, soap and more. It's not just about the honey!
PREDATORS
Yes, bees have predators! Learn how to identify them and prepare your colonies for possible threats.
SOCIAL MEDIA
A great way to get information, both good and bad, from fellow hobby beekeepers.
SOCIAL MEDIA
A great way to get information, both good and bad, from fellow hobby beekeepers.
PREDATORS
Yes, bees have predators! Learn how to identify them and prepare your colonies for possible threats.
PREDATORS
Yes, bees have predators! Learn how to identify them and prepare your colonies for possible threats.
PREDATORS
Yes, bees have predators! Learn how to identify them and prepare your colonies for possible threats.
PREDATORS
Yes, bees have predators! Learn how to identify them and prepare your colonies for possible threats.
SOCIAL MEDIA
A great way to get information, both good and bad, from fellow hobby beekeepers.
SOCIAL MEDIA
A great way to get information, both good and bad, from fellow hobby beekeepers.
SOCIAL MEDIA
A great way to get information, both good and bad, from fellow hobby beekeepers.
PROS
• Bees can reuse the comb
• Quick & efficient
• Honey needs very little filtration
• Readily available equipment
• Great for large quantities
HONEY HARVESTING
HONEY EXTRACTOR - "FRAME SPINNER"
A Honey extractor works like a centrifuge to literally force the honey out of it's wax cells with centripetal force.
Honey frames are removed from the hive, stripped of wax cappings, then spun until the honey collects in the bottom of the extractor. The honey can then be poured out, filtered (or not), and bottled.
CONS
• Frames must have plastic foundation
• Reusing the comb too many times can be problematic
• Only works with Langstroth-type hive frames
Links to More Info
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/how-to-harvest-honey/
https://lovelygreens.com/how-to-extract-honey/
https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/hobby-farming/beekeeping/how-to-extract-honey-from-your-beehive/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O1IQkhVPAI
CRUSH & STRAIN
This method works just like the name implies, the full honeycomb is crushed, then the honey separated from it by straining.
For Langstroth frames with plastic foundation, all of the wax and honey is scraped off, then crushed and strained. For top-bars and other foundationless frames, the honeycomb is cut from the frame or bar, then crushed and strained.
PROS
• No equipment to purchase
• Great for small quantities
• The wax will always be new and more pure
• Easy for beginners
CONS
• Honeycomb cannot be reused by the bees
• Impractical for large quantities
Links to More Info
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnaR_TZPC_I
https://www.beesandbubbles.com/home/2018/7/1/processing-honey-with-the-crush-strain-method
https://www.beesbuzzing.com/crush-and-strain-method-of-extracting-honey/
https://beekeepingworks.com/extract-honey-without-extractor-crush-strain-method/
PROS
• Very easy harvesting technique
• Quick & efficient
• Needs little special equipment
• Product may be worth more than regular honey
CONS
• Frames must NOT have plastic foundation
• Honey must be in new (broodless) comb
• Honeycomb cannot be reused by the bees
CUT COMB
The oldest, most primitive way of harvesting honey is by simply cutting the comb so that it can be eaten whole, honey and comb together.
