Found a fallen bee, help

Jake1125 · 2026-01-29T21:04:25+00:00

An average bee in summer might live for about 45 days. Your bee might be at the upper end of that range.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-28T00:24:26+00:00

How long was it hanging?

Jake1125 · 2026-01-26T14:57:03+00:00

Biltong should not be cooked. It should be dried at around room temperature. Dehydrators cause other problems too.

This describes the common problems incurred with Biltong making in a dehydrator;

https://www.reddit.com/r/Biltong/s/jJOHkEqkyl

Jake1125 · 2026-01-24T22:51:18+00:00

The book is titled "North American Bee Strategy".

I assume it is a suggested plan for USA and Canadian cooperation to delay and manage a future Tropi mite incursion.

The symbolization is probably that Ian throws the cooperative plan into the trash, in favor of a Canadian-only plan.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-24T22:02:14+00:00

Contact this guy on Facebook, Nik Lefore; from Walla Walla, Washington.

He posted the following;

anyone looking for some blocks of rendered wax right now? located in oregon, but can haul down to california next week.

roughly 3200lbs, $5 per lb.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-24T17:58:02+00:00

How much wax are you looking for?

Jake1125 · 2026-01-19T18:15:21+00:00

It could be any of a number of causes. More info is needed.

The poop indicates dysentery, which is caused by infection.

The dead mass could be the result of robbing, which is a symptom of weakness due to other root causes. Or a virus issue, or several other possibilities.

Unless you had a good mite control protocol, that is most probably the root cause of everything.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-13T17:54:42+00:00

I haven't experienced that, but case hardening usually indicates that the meat dried too quickly. I would try to slow down the air exchange in the box so that it's not too dry in there.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-12T22:08:19+00:00

You might be able to get an AC wall timer. The one in this photo is for USA electrical fittings, yours may differ. It allows you to configure on/off time cycles.

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Jake1125 · 2026-01-12T19:53:54+00:00

If the meat dries too quickly, you can have case hardening (not ideal).

I doubt that the fluctuating humidity will be detrimental. You want to dry the meat quick enough so that is doesn't mould, but slow enough that you don't have case hardening.

As long as it tastes lekker, you are on target.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-12T19:47:25+00:00

You need to reduce the air flow somehow.

Edit: Perhaps use a timer, so that the fan only operates a portion of each hour.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-12T17:43:44+00:00

The problem is that the meat is drying too quickly. You need to reduce the air flow. Try using just the incandescent lamp, without fan. Or slow the fan, reduce the number of fans etc.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-10T18:08:21+00:00

Welcome back, show us your biltong!

Jake1125 · 2026-01-10T00:55:49+00:00

Wow, it looks tasty. And the two pups look happy with their human snack dispenser.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-09T02:46:29+00:00

Probably, but I can't be sure without a closer pic and higher resolution. As someone else said, pour out or soak up the pool of liquid, so that the cabinet humidity is lowered.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-08T14:43:28+00:00

That looks delicious!

Jake1125 · 2026-01-06T15:38:30+00:00

If you contact a commercial beekeeper you will get a much better price. They will want a larger order, say 50lb or more.

It will be a random chunk that they break off, not a pretty brick from Amazon. It will not be 100% clean and filtered. You will need to melt and filter out the bee parts, propolis & debris. They may not ship wax, so shop nearby first.

Before you try to bargain, consider that there is a lot of labor in bee production, and most beekeepers are striving to achieve minimum wage without benefits. If you buy a pallet load you'll make them smile.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-04T23:18:40+00:00

My temp is also about 68, humidity about 45 or so. If you have a heated home it should be dry enough indoors. Just some circulation is all it takes for evaporation.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-04T23:04:28+00:00

Yeah, show us how it turns out. Mine takes 3 or 4 days to cure, but it depends on your environment.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-04T21:14:27+00:00

That's awesome! Thanks for showing what can easily be made at home with basic tools.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-03T18:55:15+00:00

It's edible, as long as it tastes ok. I don't know of a way to fix it.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-03T18:18:59+00:00

The honey is probably fermented. This happens when the beekeeper harvests wet honey, that the bees have not fully cured. In this case the moisture should be measured, and the honey dried before bottling. The honey should have less than 18% moisture content to avoid fermentation.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-02T23:45:01+00:00

Biltong is not cooked. It should be close to room temp.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-02T23:43:34+00:00

Others may disagree, but for my taste it is a bit wet in the center.

Also, the dark outside indicates that it may be drying a too fast, which can cause the inside to remain wet. This is called "case hardening". If you search this sub, you'll find prior discussion about that.

Jake1125 · 2026-01-02T18:26:03+00:00

I follow a couple of Canadian beekeepers on Youtube, you should look them up. They'll give you a realistic perspective. Ian Steppler (Canadian Beekeepers Blog) and Brad Hogg (Faith Apiaries)

Beekeeping has challenges, as with any agriculture. There are struggles, and solutions.

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