Category Archives: HowTo

How to Catch Swarms – Treatment-free Beekeeping Podcast

Listen to the Treatment-free Beekeeping Podcast episode where I talk about catching swarms: Swarming is nearly upon us in Indiana, so I’m re-posting a link to the Treatment-Free Beekeeping Podcast – How to Catch Swarms with Solomon Parker.

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Swarm Trapping on the Survival Podcast – air date 9/31/2013

Swarm Season is approaching in the Northern Hemisphere, I can see that interest in the subject is growing from my Stats.  In the coming weeks I will be talking about some podcasts I have been on about Bees.  They will be … Continue reading

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Top Entrances – Inner Cover Modification 2017

Got some new inner covers from Brushy Mountain for the 8 frame colonies this year.  I have purchased the 10-frame version in the past and have always been happy with them.  I like to modify these inner covers to allow for a … Continue reading

Posted in Experiments, HowTo | Tagged | 6 Comments

Frame Rehab

Re-working old frames can be tedious, especially if you attempt to put new foundation in them. This task is greatly simplified by switching to foundationless. The most difficult part is getting the old comb and foundation out of the frame. … Continue reading

Posted in Foundationless Frames, HowTo | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Big Weekend

One of my favorite songs by Tom Petty is from his Highway Companion album. It’s called Big Weekend and years ago I might have desired a weekend like the one described in the song. I’m a little more dedicated to … Continue reading

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My name is Jason, and I’m addicted to swarm trapping

I am beginning to realize that I have a problem.  Every time I see weathered bee equipment I have an incredible urge to build a Swarm Trap.  I am powerless to overcome it…..  I’m addicted!  I am quickly becoming the crazy-cat-lady … Continue reading

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Holes – in perfectly good woodenware

I have had many questions about the 1 inch holes pictured in my deep hive bodies. When I began keeping bees I bought a bunch of used equipment from a keeper who was retiring. He had holes in some of his equipment, … Continue reading

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2016 Trapping Update

It’s time to give a little progress report for summer 2016. This year has been the most successful trapping summer YET. The first swarm was caught almost A FULL MONTH earlier than normal on 4/20/2016. HITS occurred steadily 3-5 per week … Continue reading

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Getting it done

If you want to be successful in beekeeping you’re going to have to put some work in. Reading or looking around on the Internet is only scratching the surface. The real work starts once you have bees and are dealing with … Continue reading

Posted in Feral Bees, Genetics, HowTo, Methods, Posts, Swarm Trapping, What's going on.. | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

1602, 1603, and 1604

Last Sunday, 5/1/2016 was the first hiving of trapped swarms for the season. I hadn’t planned on doing it, but the weather conditions turned out perfect and I had opportunity. The transfers went as follows Trap02 to 1602, Trap30 to 1603, … Continue reading

Posted in animal husbandry, Genetics, Hive Reports, HowTo, Methods, Posts, Swarm Trapping | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment