DIY Fun Beeswax Christmas Ornaments Have you ever made things with beeswax? If not, you are in for a treat. I really love working with beeswax. You can do so many cool things with this special product made by bees. People use raw beeswax for many purposes around the home. Lotions, potions, lip balm, soap […]
Winter Beekeeping – A Time of Observation & Preparation
Winter Beekeeping – A Slower Pace Beekeeping tasks vary from season to season. In most locations, Spring is a busy time. New bees are arriving, established hives are growing and beekeepers are chasing bee swarms. Summer is a time of honey production and in the Fall, we are concerned about getting bees ready for cold […]
Little Known Benefits of Beeswax Candles
Exploring the Benefits of Beeswax Candles Why Beeswax? What are the Benefits of Beeswax Candles? Beeswax candles are very special and have been valued for hundreds of years. They are a gift from the honey bees who produce beeswax naturally. Beeswax is unique because it can be used in its natural state for candle making. […]
Is Honeycomb Edible? Can You Eat Honeycomb?
Can You Eat Raw Honeycomb? Yes, and Yes! This question is often asked of me during beekeeping demonstrations. Can you eat honeycomb- surely not? Yes, it is true that honeycomb is edible and tastes quite good – if a little waxy! People have been eating honeycomb for thousands of years with no ill effects. While […]
A Master Beekeeper’s Guide to Bee Hive Record Keeping
Why Bee Hive Record Keeping Matters Why would anyone need to keep a notebook about their beehives? Does it really matter? Is bee hive record keeping important? Yes, I think so. I have records of hive inspections dating back over 10 years. Occasionally, I take them out and thumb through the pages. They have become a […]
Decrystallize Honey With A Warming Cabinet
Creating a Warming Cabinet to Decrystallize Honey Any beekeeper who sells honey will experience crystallized honey. Honey that has crystallized in containers is especially troublesome. And, it is not just beekeepers who have multiple jars of honey to decrystallize. Any one who practices bulk food storage may face the problem. One answer is to decrystallize […]
How to Decrystallize Honey Without Damaging It
Tips for How to Decrystallize Honey If you are a long-time consumer of raw honey, I am sure you have experienced honey that has “turned to sugar”. This is the common slang term for crystallized honey or granulated honey. Some people prefer thickened honey. But, your honey doesn’t have to stay this way. If you […]
Identifying the Wooden Parts of a Beehive
What are the Parts of a Beehive Called? When a new beekeeper enters the “world of the bee”, there are so many new things to learn. Beekeeping equipment choices can be confusing. Even worse, there are several different types of hives to choose. Understanding the name and function for the parts of a beehive, is […]
Honey & Cinnamon For Colds- Does This Homemade Remedy Work?
Does Honey and Cinnamon Cure Colds? Umm.. no, sorry but I understand why you ask. When you feel bad, you want to get better quick! A complete cure would the best outcome and right now! Unfortunately, the journey through sickness doesn’t usually work quite this way. It wont cure you, but using honey and cinnamon for […]
Don’t Buy Honey Bees Without Reading This
Considerations – How to Buy Honey Bees Learning how to buy honey bees is one of the first tasks facing a new beekeeper. I mean, you can’t be a beekeeper until you have bees, right? Some new beekeepers will be lucky enough to receive a starter colony from a friend. But most of us will […]