DIY
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Do Bees Need Water?
Everyone knows that bees gather pollen, nectar, and propolis, but people often forget about another very important resource bees must collect – water. As a beekeeper, you must provide an adequate water source for your bees. Even if you are not a beekeeper, it’s nice to leave a watering station out for the bees as well. Do Bees Need Water? Yes, just as bees need food, bees need water as well. Bees need water to survive, and if there isn’t a reliable water source near their hive, they will go out in search of water. Bees use water for drinking and for multiple uses within the hive. How Bees Collect…
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What is the Best Coating for a Beehive?
A well cared for beehive can last for years. One of the most important things a beekeeper can do to preserve their hives is to protect it from the elements. This is done by adding a coating to the beehive. So, what is the best coating for a beehive? Disclosure: As an affiliate I may earn from qualifying purchases. This is at no cost to you and helps to keep this website running. Why Coat a Beehive? Applying coating to a beehive gives the wood protection from the elements. Beehives are outdoors, so they are exposed to sun, wind, rain, and snow all year round. Without a protective coating, the…
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How to Make Beehive Frames from Scratch
If there’s one thing beekeepers go through a lot, it’s frames. Through normal wear and tear, beehive frames periodically need to be replaced. A way to save on costs is to make your own. Read on to learn how to make beehive frames from scratch. What is a Beehive Frame? The frame is a very important part of a beehive. It is the part that the bees build wax upon. Beehive frames hold the bee’s brood and honey. Before the invention of modern beehives, beekeepers used to have to destroy the whole hive just to harvest honey. But with the invention of movable frame beehives, the frames can be taken…
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Safe Paint for Beehives
While beekeeping can be considered an art in itself, some beekeepers have turned their beehives into literal works of art. I’ve seen photos of many beautiful beehives, covered with intricate designs. Even if you are not planning on painting pictures on your hives, most beekeepers do paint their hives at least one color. It’s for more than just looks. Painting beehives helps to protect the wood from the elements, thus making the hive last longer. The most important thing is that you must use safe paint for beehives. Other paint has too many chemicals that can be harmful to bees. Also, remember to paint only the outside of your beehive,…
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Beeswax Benefits for Lips – DIY Beeswax Lip Balm
Beeswax has many uses. It is often used to make candles, furniture polish, and hair pomade. Recently there has been more interest in using beeswax for cosmetics as well. Did you know that there are also beeswax benefits for lips? If you suffer from dry, cracked lips, beeswax may be the answer for you. What is Beeswax? Beeswax is a natural wax that is produced by honey bees. It is a very unique material. People have been using beeswax for thousands of years. Researchers have even found beeswax in ancient pyramids. Surprisingly, the wax has shown very little deterioration, proving that beeswax is a very stable material. At low temperatures,…
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Propolis Benefits for Hair
For those who struggle with hair loss and thinning hair, the answer may be in an unlikely place. Propolis has long been used for skincare, cosmetics, and medical purposes. But a recent study has shown that there are also propolis benefits for hair, especially thinning hair. What is Propolis Propolis is a resin like substance made by bees from tree resins and sap. It is usually dark brown and has a sticky texture, which is why it’s often called bee glue. Bees use propolis all over their hive to fill cracks and gaps in the walls. Propolis is also used to line nest cavities and even reduce the hive opening. …
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How to Use a Robber Bees Screen
It’s something all beekeepers have to deal with at one time or another – robber bees. Left unattended, robbing can be a big problem for colonies. Using a robber bees screen is a great way to prevent robbing from starting in the first place. What Are Robber Bees? Robber bees are bees that enter a different colony with the intention to steal their honey. These are forager bees that simply want to collect food to bring back to their own colony. Since robbing isn’t an easy task, robbers will target a weaker colony to steal from. To enter the hive she must first fight the guard bees at the entrance. …
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How to Use Raw Propolis
Have you ever seen that sticky, brown paste all over the inside of a beehive? That is called propolis, and it’s more important than you think. While propolis has many uses for bees, it is also beneficial to humans. Just like beeswax and honey, propolis has long been harvested and used medicinally. If you’d like to learn how to use raw propolis, read on. But first let’s cover the basics. What Is Propolis? Commonly called bee glue, propolis is a resin like substance used by bees to seal small open spaces in the hive. While the color or propolis can vary depending on it’s source, most propolis is dark brown.…
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How to Choose Wood and Paint for Beehives
In the wild, the home of a bee colony is called a nest. Bees tend to build their nests in hollow trees or rocks. These nests are sometimes built exposed and consist of hanging rows of honeycomb. The term beehive, however, refers to an artificial man made structure that houses bees. So, what are beehives made out of? The outside of beehives are made out of wood. The inside of a beehive is made out of beeswax. Beehives are made out of wooden boxes containing frames. The inside of the beehive contains the bee colony, beeswax, and propolis. Beeswax is formed into cells that store brood, pollen, nectar, and honey. …
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Health and Beauty Benefits of Beeswax
When you think of beekeeping you may think about harvesting honey, but there are other resources that can be collected from beehives too. Beeswax is a wax made by bees which is then formed into cells. Bees use the cells to store honey and pollen, but did you know there are also beeswax uses for skin and hair? Beeswax has long been used by people for it’s natural health and beauty benefits. This article will discuss beeswax uses for skin, beeswax benefits for lips, how to use beeswax for hair, and the benefits of eating beeswax. What is Beeswax? Worker bees produce beeswax from special glands on their bodies. Brand…
