Resources and Notes
Click a link at left for those topics. Listed below are notes that we list as we find them:
Hive Body Cut Guide
Here is an excel sheet provided by Jim Orem and Rick Orr that enables you to understand the lumber you need to buy in order to make X number of hive bodies. Handles 8 and 10-frame set-ups.
Please note, you will need to adjust your security settings in the "macro" settings in Excel for this sheet to work. Here are instructions.
Select the Tools menu option and then select Macro, then Security. In the resulting Security dialog, set the security level to Medium or Low, by clicking the appropriate radio button. Then, restart excel and open this sheet.
Queen Grafting Calculator
Going to be queen-rearing? Check out this cool Queen Rearing Calendar Generator, brought to you by The Beekeepers of the Susquehanna Valley.
Click here to view and use the calculator
General Purpose Essential Oil Mixture
Do you use Honey B Healthy? Here's a recipe to make your own
The following recipe should work about as well as honeybee healthy, yet prove to be cheaper. It can be added in small quantities to feed to encourage feeding, however it has been known to occasionally cause Robbing behavior due to its great appeal to bees.
- 5 cups water
- 2 ½ pounds of sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon lecithin granules (Used as an emulsifier, can find at GNC or health store. Click link to buy online.)
- 15 drops spearmint oil
- 15 drops lemongrass oil
Bring the water to a boil and integrate the sugar until dissolved. Once the sugar is dissolved remove the mixture from the heat and quickly add the lecithin and the essential oils. Stir until everything is evenly distributed. This solution should have a strong scent and not be left open around bees. Cool before using.
Bee Candy
- 15-16 lb. of sugar
- ~3 cups water
- 1 tbsp. plain white vinegar (optional)
- 1 Pollen patty (optional)
If you choose to use the vinegar (as a mold inhibitor) add it to the water.
Pour 2 bags of sugar into a very large container and gradually add about half the water, stirring to wet the sugar well. Continue adding sugar and water alternately until all the sugar is wet.
Put newspaper or waxed paper under your candy board, and fill with wet sugar. If you are using a pollen patty, fill the board half-way, add the patty in the center, and finish with sugar. Screen the sugar off level with the top of the board. Allow to harden overnight.
Remove inner cover from hive, and replace with candyboard, screen side down. Replace outer cover.
You can now easily raise the outer cover any time and slip in additional sugar bricks if you need them. Click here to see detailed photos and video on making candy boards.