Check out our new Bee Blog!

This is where we will share new information for top bar beekeeping. Check out some new videos now: Corwin managing a top bar hive, the new BackYardHive tool, honey harvesting and more! Bee Blog

We have launched our sister site, BeeGuardian.org which focuses on Bee Guardians and how we can help the honey bee decline through a grass roots effort.

What is a Bee Guardian?        
A Bee Guardian is interested, in aiding bees as a species in order to recapture their genetic vitality and diversity. Bee Guardians utilize beekeeping methods that respect the honeybee and oversee the local environment, ensuring it to be safe for the bees.

While it is apparent that an evolution in beekeeping needs to emerge, it is imperative that a bee-caring Guardianship is immediately put into place as we face this moment of instability of the planets' biosphere.

A sufficient number of Bee Guardians preserving healthy colonies will offer substantial pollination relief to these areas, while also acting as insurance in the case that science and the beekeeping industry cannot secure a viable solution to the potential collapse of the bees in time. Read more  at BeeGuardian.org

The Backyard Hive is an Easy Way to Keep Healthy and Productive Bees Without the Need for Special Equipment or Invasive Practices

The Backyard Hive has many advantages to the backyard beekeeper. This hive is easier to use, inexpensive to purchase, and it requires much less equipment and expertise to get into the adventure of bee keeping.

 
Winterizing Your Top Bar Hive for the Colder Months

There are three things to do:

1) Install the false back in place

2) Install the winterizing entrance reducer

3) Insulate the hive

My bee-wrangling journey began very simply, with a call to a bee supply company in a neighboring town. I was looking for a swarm to purchase; the woman I spoke with informed me that they were out of swarms (I called in June, too late in the season), but that she could put me on their “swarm list” if I wanted. (A “swarm list” is a list of people who volunteer to remove bee swarms that show up in people’s yards.) I had no experience with swarms whatsoever—I’ve never even seen one in person—but I had a friend who had told me about catching swarms and who I knew I could call for advice...

It is March 10 and my bees have emerged from their winter slumber, at least long enough to get some water and see if I have put out any food for them. I like to give them some honey water, cheap honey, mixed with a little water. I may put a handful of little clean twigs, in a shallow bowl, so they do not flounder.

And make sure you put the bowl away from human activity, you would be amazed at how many bees...

I want to share with you a very simple method of harvesting comb from a top bar hive. This should give you an idea of the potential yield and the relative simplicity of working with the top bar hive. The best part of this single comb harvesting method is that it can be done in less than 30 minutes and you will still get to the office on time!  

Are you an accomplished woodworker with some time on your hands?  If so, you may want to build your own topbar hive the BackYardHive way. 

We have just uploaded a downloadable PDF document that provides all of the measurements, specifications, and materials you will need.  Of, course, we can't supply the time, tools, and expertise, but if you are ready to tackle the project, these plans will help.

Download BackYardHive Plans for the Do-It-Yourself Beekeeper
Note: You will need Acrobat Reader to open this file. You can
download Acrobat Reader for free.

This DVD is a great introduction to backyard beekeeping "The Fun, Fascinating, and Healthy Hobby of Beekeeping In Your Back Yard". It is intended to inform and educate with video showing hands-on demonstrations of common beekeeping tasks.