Category Archives: Tips & Techniques

Langstroth Hive to Top Bar Hive – Adopt A Hive

Posted on August 13, 2012 by

Lately I’ve been helping TBH beekeepers transfer comb with brood, bees, queen, and all from Langstroth frames to their top bar hives. Like the previous transfer this one was even easier. Jett from Oakland Hills contacted me regarding getting bees … Continue reading →

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Inspect Your Bottom Boards For Wax Moths

Posted on July 31, 2012 by

Went through almost all the hives in the past two weeks and have noticed that wax moths were in most of them on the bottom boards. The smaller hives had much more while the larger hives had very little as … Continue reading →

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Transferring Bees From Langstroth to Top Bar Hive – Adopt A Hive

Posted on June 19, 2012 by

One day I received a call from a gentlemen who wanted to get an established hive for his top bar hive. The cell phone reception was horrible and we ended the conversation with saying something about him sending me an … Continue reading →

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Beware Of Wax Moths

Posted on June 14, 2012 by

It’s wax moth season. With this heat the wax moth are out by the numbers. I’ve just lost some comb stored in my shed I was saving for swarms. If you have weak hives check on your hive once a … Continue reading →

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Bee Hive and Frame Assembly

Posted on June 1, 2012 by

Something I should have blogged about a long time ago especially when more than one person asked. Better late than never. Hive boxes, they come pre-cut  and pre-drilled. It’s just like putting Legos together. Just ensure the handle side is … Continue reading →

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Harvesting Honey? Use Fischer’s Bee Quick

Posted on February 27, 2012 by

There are many ways to move the bees off of the honey frames when harvesting honey. Here are some of the methods: – Fume Board:This is my preferred method when I want to harvest honey from a super full of … Continue reading →

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California Native Plants Visited (and probably pollinated) by Honey Bees

Posted on February 19, 2012 by

Alder – Alnus spp. Antelope brush – Purshia tridentata (Pursch.) DC. Arrow-weed – Pluchea sericea (Nutt.) Cov. Asters – Aster spp. Azalea – Rhododendron spp. Barberry – Berberis spp. Beardtongue – Penstemon spp. Blackbrush – Coleogyne ramosissma Torr. Black sage … Continue reading →

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Honey Bee Pests and Diseases

Posted on November 28, 2011 by

The University of Florida IFAS Extension has some great info on honey bee pests and diseases. The videos are a must watch. Small Hive Beetles. Nosema. Trachael Mites. Varroa Mites. They are VERY informative and shows practices and methods for … Continue reading →

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Winter Rain and Frost Protection

Posted on November 10, 2011 by

Just wanted to provide you’ll a visual of two forms of how I protect my hives from the elements during the cold and wet season. This first colony, yes, still 5 mediums tall with a full load of honey, is … Continue reading →

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Preparing Your Hives For Fall and Winter

Posted on September 21, 2011 by

Winter preparation for your bee hives will vary depending on your location. What I’m about to write is how I prepare for my Winter months for my general location in the Silicon Valley. 1) For the cold, frosty, and wet … Continue reading →

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