I wear an inspection jacket when I’m in the bees and I always keep a couple of things in the pockets so they are handy. I made elastic straps (garters) that I use on my pant legs to keep the bees from crawling up my leg. You can also just tuck your pants in your …
Author: The Bumbling Beekeeper
Notes in the Bee Yard
In July 2013, I attended the NCSBA Summer Conference at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst/Southern Pines, NC. One of the presentations was by Dr. Larry Connor presenting on Resource Management. Somewhere I have my notes from that conference, but the thing that stuck with me was his discussion about writing on the tops of the hives instead …
Bee Food Made Simple
My friend Eliza teaches at the Montessori School near by and they have bees. This being North Carolina, there are parts of the year when you pretty much have to feed your bees. Eliza came up with this easy way to help her 5th grade beekeepers know how to make sugar syrup for the bees. …
The Kim and Jim Show
One of the most gratifying aspects of beekeeping is meeting or hearing about beekeepers who go out of their way to share what they know with other beekeepers. I’m especially grateful for the ones who do it with a sense of humor. The Kim and Jim Show is one of my current favorites. Bee Culture …
Monitoring Varroa Mites
I believe that you have to monitor the varroa mite infestation in your hives. Many hives do not even make it to winter because of viruses transmitted by the varroa mite. If they make it to winter, they may not make it through winter. This year (2017), bees coming through winter in okay shape saw …
BT for Control of Wax Moths
A strong hive is the best defense against wax moths. One preventive action is to not give the bees more territory than they can guard. In other words, don’t leave a lot of drawn comb on a hive that is small and struggling. Wax moth traps can help keep the wax moth population under control …
Wax Moth Traps
Making a wax moth trap is easy. Take an empty 2 liter bottle and drill a 1 inch hole just below the slope on the neck, then add 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup vinegar and finally 1 banana peel. Wait a few days till it starts to ferment, then tie it into …