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I've had bees for about ten years, and always have had them just steps from the front door as well as close to the chickens and pigs without any issues. About noon today I heard the pigs squealing,...

Thanks, and I did switch their locations and due to the viewing windows was able to see that most of the bees actually followed the hives!
There are definitely more foragers in the weak hive, yet...

Long story short is I keep my two topbars in a very windy location, and moved them up against the house for winter shelter. With a cold spring I left them there too long and once I moved them into...

My first tb was modeled after a Golden Mean. Way too small and we have a short season. It's almost like a swarm machine. Not good for a new beekeeper in my opinion.

Thanks for all the help there!
I decided to purchase a pre made house with easily cleanable parts, probably the best bet for me.
Will likely drill wood in the future once I get more knowledgeable...

If I use bucked up sections of logs, around 18" in length and maybe 12-16" thick- can I simply drill a bunch of holes in the log then place it out in the orchard to attract mason bees?
Seems they'd...

I get the feeling someone has never tried beekeeping in the dark then? They crawl along ground and crawl up your pants. It was one of my first beekeeping lessons learned, ouch.

In the photo I see sun hitting the hive through a window.
Any thoughts on how a hive would do in a shed or building with just a cut entrance hole, no morning sun to heat up the hive? No winter sun,...

In about January each winter, a number of hive entrances become completely clogged with hundreds of dead bees.
And often at the same time, bees are flying even though the weather is freezing or...

Actually not in Vancouver, much colder here. It is bordering on freezing right now as it has warmed up.
I will switch frames around a bit- not something you'd like to do mid winter of course.
Any...

I wish I had taken a photo, but what is going on in a few hives is that the winter cluster is surrounded by a 'donut' of dead bees.
It is really cold here, and has been about -5 F, plus or minus for...

I will try warming it more then, thanks!

I didn't get enough honey this year to warrant setting up/dirtying up the bottling tank.
In the past I've poured with pointy spouted containers, I've used ladles with funnels, but all have left a...

Cancel that...

Great ideas thanks, will carefully check for evidence before disturbing!

I could try, but I've found they like to hide instead of bolt unlike what I've read elsewhere.

It's been a busy fall and I didn't get the mouse guards on. Very important out here, lots of mice.
The bees are clustered and haven't flown in probably a few weeks so I do hesitate disturbing them....

Very possibly. As a lang beekeeper for many years I am hesitant to just stand back and wait for a miracle.

I have some new formic pads that seemingly just entered the market, basically pads wrapped in paper that you leave right inside the hive for 7 days- but can leave in indefinitely as after 7 days they...

It seems that 4% pollen in patties is pretty standard, while higher % is possible. Is 4% "enough"? Thanks.

Helicopters have storage cupboards outside thankfully.
Also it is possible to sling stuff, maybe strapped to a pallet. Then no fiddling just open entrance and be outta there.

Can honeybee...

Flights would be 50% of harvest, so basically free all things considered.
This is crown land- basically land not owned by anyone- but the government/taxpayers.
I'm not doing this for sales, more...

I was hiking through some alpine meadows this week and noticed two species of native bees.

I have the opportunity to take a couple hives into the alpine next season via helicopter. This is pretty...

Thanks for that, and heat gun is a great idea- will try and be careful to not get too hot!

I've kept bees for years but have been spending more time near my beeyard so may be noticing the obvious. But do bees often swarm into a tree- then within an hour go back to hive??
Twice this year...