Seems like no matter where I go, people recognize me from YouTube or from speaking about Honey Bees. Many people tell me that I am their main source of beekeeping information. That is very humbling. Over the last few years we have reached nearly 2 million people through our online videos, podcasts and beekeeping lessons. That's amazing.
I receive hundreds of phone calls and even more emails per month from beekeepers around the country seeking answers on what to do next with their hive.
We are launching a new subscription service to the first 200 members. As an EAS Certified Master Beekeeper (2010) I want to help you navigate through your new hobby of beekeeping.
Starting May 1st, I will be offering a premiere beekeeping training opportunity to the first 200 people who subscribe. For less than $5 a week here's what you will receive as a team member:
MEMBERS ONLY ACCESS TO:
- 1 New Instructional Video Each Week.
- Personal Email & Phone Mentorship With Me. You'll be a phone call away from a certified master beekeeper.
- Picture/Video Evaluation Of Your Hive When Needed. Send me a video and/or pictures of what concerns you and I'll advise you on the next step to take.
- Weekly Tips Of What You Should Be Doing With Your Bees.
- Your Choice Of 1(one) Item From Our Membership Gifts List Below: (After 6 months subscribed. Only shipped within US)
- 1 Free class at our location per year (Does NOT Include Bee Institute)
- 1 Free Winter-Bee-Kind
- 1 Free Burns Bees Feeding System
Hurry! Sign Me Up Now Before The 200 Spots Are Taken.
Some Municipalities Requiring Beekeepers To Be Certified
Does your city, village, or municipality require you to be a CERTIFIED beekeeper before you can keep bees? We are having a LAST MINUTE to the rescue course just for you!! Maybe you did not know there were certain requirements in some cities or towns for beekeepers to be certified and now you've waited too long? We are having a special class just for you where you will receive certification that you have completed a beekeeping course with a Certified Master Beekeeper which you can attach to your city (or state's) registration paper.
Minimum number of students required. Sign up now. This class is good for any beginner, even if you don't need certified. Sat., May 7.
Minimum number of students required. Sign up now. This class is good for any beginner, even if you don't need certified. Sat., May 7.
Why Is There A Bunch Of Bees On The Side Of My Hive?
What's going on with all those bees plastered on the outside of your hive? Well, if it's not hot and humid it might mean that your colony did, will or is thinking about swarming. Yikes! Sometimes the queen lands there with her swarm. Sometimes afterswarms, or in other words, a swarm after the main swarm will land out there with a virgin queen. What should you do? You should inspect your hive to see if you still have your queen. Are there queen cells? Usually if you just wait a few days, things will return to normal.
These classes were very popular last year! Come and spend 4 hours in hives and learn from certified master beekeeper, David Burns. Ask questions and learn how to manage your colony. We still have room for a few more.
Queens For Sale
We are excited to be offering queens in a few weeks. Our fingers are crossed that we'll have queens the first week of May. We will place them online for sale and ship them out weekly. So keep an eye on our main website at: www.honeybeesonline.com
SWARM RETRIEVAL: CAN YOU REALLY DO IT?
Here's how it goes down. You get a call from a stranger that hears you are a beekeeper. "I've got thousands of bees hanging on a branch on my tree. My children are afraid to go outside. Can you come get them?"
1. Ask the caller to send you a picture so you can make sure they are not wasps
or yellow jackets.
2. Take a small 5 frame nuc, protective gear and head out.
3. Keep in mind that the swarm may be gone by time you arrive.
4. Upon arrival determine how you will shake the branch so the bees will fall
into your empty hive.
5. Give it two strong shakes. Bees fall into the hive and you can place the top
partially back on top, allowing bees to gather inside.
6. Once most of the bees are in, screen off the opening and head home.
7. After three or four days inspect the nuc for the presence of the queen. If
she's not there, raise one or order one.
8. Good job!
SWARM RETRIEVAL DON'TS
1. Don't stand on strange things or climb dangerously into trees. It's not worth
getting injured.
2. Don't leave without getting a picture. No reason to chase yellow jackets.
3. Don't expect it to go fast. Sometimes when you shake the branch lots of
bees will fly back up on to the branch. You may have to spend an hour
shaking bees out of trees.
4. Don't miss this opportunity to teach your audience about the necessity of
honey bees.
Here's Directions