Cut Comb Honey - 1st time!
It's the beginning of January 2025 and I'm using my new hot comb cutter from Pierce Beekeeping Equipment to cut 2" X 4" comb honey for the first time! Also, side note: Pierce was recently bought out by Mann Lake. Anyhoo, I hope you enjoy this video!
New Pollinator Pathway in Southwest Denver
At the corner of Zuni and Florida in Southwest Denver, you'll now find a little oasis created specifically for the pollinators! Check out the video below! I recommend visiting it if you're ever over for a concert at Levitt Pavilion or want a new place to explore on a Saturday morning!
Supplying water to the bees via a Boardman Feeder
In this video, I demonstrate how filling an external Boardman Feeder with water is an option for a water source. I have never had luck with putting sugar syrup in an outside feeder without attracting robbers. A front porch water source may be on the list for the summer months in 2023!
Calm bees & a quiet, cool morning = Paradise! :-)
8/15/2022 - 8:30am:
Performing a monthly mite check on this 3-deep hive that has a phenomenal population and calm demeanor. I'm glad to report their mite count on alcohol wash was 1 mite/300 bees. They are doing a great job taking care of one another and maintaining a healthy, thriving hive!
Provide a water source for your bees
Providing a constant, year-round water source for your bees will help prevent them from foraging for water on your neighbor's property. Bees prefer natural water with a higher mineral content, but any available water will benefit them.
The start of a swarm is a sight to see!
IN THE EYE OF THE SWARM!
This is a very short, 11 second video clip showing a glimpse of what a hive and the surrounding environment can look like when the bees decide it's time to swarm.
Expanding to full screen is very beneficial when viewing this video!
How to remove wax cappings from a honey frame
Short video showing different ways to use an unheated uncapping knife and an uncapping scratcher to remove wax cappings from a honey frame. My arm will block your view for a moment, but I readjust once I realized it. Feel free to skip ahead if it's bothersome to you!
Hygienic honey bee behavior assists in the Varroa battle
Hygienic behavior (i.e. intense grooming) among honey bees is a heavily desired genetic trait. In this video, a few bees are grooming an individual bee thoroughly in search of any Varroa mites that may be attached. Varroa are very crafty when it comes to their ability to hide. Hiding from the beekeeper's view, they are often found on the underside of the bee attached to the abdominal segments where they feed off of worker or drone fat bodies.
Bees indulge in leftover apples in early January
January 7th, 2022 in Denver, CO and a few 'rotten' apples are remaining. The bees are taking full advantage of the sugars inside the apple. You know they are collecting liquid nectar when they drink with their proboscis (tongue) as opposed to when they collect pollen with their furry bodies.
Watch what it's like to move two hives
Watch what it's like to move a couple of hives!
This video is sped up with text so you can pause as needed and is only a short 1 min 46 sec.
FYI - there is no sound to this video.
How to clean pollen frames so you may reuse them
Sometimes a beekeeper will lose a hive and it is important to inspect and clean that equipment as soon as possible. This short video will show you how to clean pollen frames so they can be reused in the upcoming season.
2 queens : 1 hive = did not survive the winter
This is a short video clip showing two unrelated queens inhabiting the same hive without rivalry. This hive was struggling going into winter and unfortunately did not survive much into 2022.