Category Archives: HowTo

Trapping on the Ground

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Jason

Last weekend I discussed Swarm Trapping on the Treatment-Free Beekeeping Podcast.  Solomon and I brushed the surface, but hopefully it will get more people interested in giving this a try.  There’s getting to be more and more information available on feral … Continue reading →

Posted in Feral Bees, Genetics, HowTo, Methods, Observation, Posts, Swarm Trapping | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Catch Boxes

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Jason

One of my typical 80 year old friends introduced me to catch boxes on a swarm call in 2015.  For years I had strapped hive bodies to bottom-boards for swarm retrievals.  It was always a pain.  New equipment was slick, things wouldn’t stay lined up, the … Continue reading →

Posted in HowTo, Methods, Shaken Swarms, Swarm Trapping | 7 Comments

Trapping on the DL

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Jason

I love fishing for bees!  I don’t bat an eye about trying to pick one up while I’m at work, call it multi-tasking.  I could put a trap on the top of the car, but discretion results in “fewer” questions.  It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in HowTo, Methods, Swarm Trapping | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

As promised last week in Painting Boxes here is a video to show how I take boxes apart after they are painted.  I got ONE take of this so here it is!  Normally this would have made a blooper reel, … Continue reading →

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Jason | Leave a comment

Painting Boxes

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Jason

I’ve been through, building boxes and frames so now it’s time for paint. Of all the steps painting is the one I dislike the most. This is mainly because I don’t heat my garage. Therefore I need to wait until … Continue reading →

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Box building tips

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Jason

Crazy as it may sound I have what is looking like a potential problem in my beekeeping life. There’s a real possibility that almost all of my hives are going to overwinter this year. I hate even mentioning this because … Continue reading →

Posted in HowTo, Posts, What's going on.. | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Frames Revisisted

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Jason

In beekeeping catching swarms is the most exciting thing I do. It’s pretty much all I want to think and talk about because it’s interesting.  It has been a LONG time since I have discussed tasks I don’t like as … Continue reading →

Posted in HowTo, Methods, Posts | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Animal Husbandry – Understanding Vigor

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Jason

Being a TREATMENT-FREE / NON-FEEDING beekeeper is EASY when everything is going well. The gut-check comes when pests show up, weather conditions are poor, stores are low, or it’s apparent that something just isn’t right in one or more of your … Continue reading →

Posted in animal husbandry, Genetics, HowTo, Methods, Posts | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Propolis Caps

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Jason

Any time I find an aspect of beekeeping where a yield can be realized I try to maximize it. Financial viability of a bee operation by honey alone seems like it could be difficult. Wax is a common product that people think … Continue reading →

Posted in Experiments, HowTo, Posts, What's going on.. | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Smoker Fuel Time

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Jason

Part of being a beekeeper is becoming aware of the yearly cycle of the Seasons. It’s amazing how disconnected humans have become from nature. I am reminded of this every time a friend or co-worker asks me in January or February … Continue reading →

Posted in HowTo, Methods, Posts | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments