To make queen liqueur or tincture of queen, beekeepers soak recently dead or pinched queens in a small vial of rubbing alcohol. The alcohol preserves the queen and, supposedly, her pheromones as well. Come swarm season, a beekeeper can wet a cotton ball with the juice, place the cotton in a baggie with a few […] Read more
A few weeks ago, George Kelley, a Washington beekeeper, was called to look at a derelict chicken coop containing a large colony of honey bees. The coop had just lost a wall and the owner was afraid the bees would die. George went in, removed the hive, and installed the bees in their own hive. […] Read more
For this fifth installment of the Physics for beekeepers series, I’ve decided to use this recent question, which is representative of several I’ve received this month. “I’ve heard that some beekeepers leave a medium super of honey on the hive ‘just in case.’ But others say do not leave the hives with an over-abundance of […] Read more
Last time I was in Oregon, I picked up a sample of meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) honey and it’s been sitting on the shelf. Three days ago, I opened it for a taste. My first thought was “bubble gum.” Hmm, not good. I put it away and tried it again yesterday. My first thought was “marshmallow.” […] Read more
A new beekeeper in the Midwest wrote to say that she harvested thirty pounds of honey from each of her two hives, but now her bees were taking syrup like crazy. She wondered how long she should keep feeding and if the bees would have enough stores. Then came the disturbing question: “Why would each […] Read more
“I started keeping bees this year and have one 8-frame Langstroth hive. Next year, I want to expand and was thinking about getting another Langstroth hive and a top-bar hive. Do you have any suggestions for resources on top bar hives?” I am not actually going to answer your question, instead, I’m going to preach. […] Read more