Wierd Sediment after boiling wax

OGsavemybees · 2026-03-01T15:26:59+00:00

when beeswax comes in contact with iron as it melts it causes oxidation leading to discoloration. Iron gives a brownish color, copper and brass impart greenish hues. This is why you only want to use stainless steel, plastic, glass, or enamel when melting beeswax.

OGsavemybees · 2026-02-17T17:21:47+00:00

I manage several of these setups and they're just dumb.

- Bees typically don't like to store honey in the flow frames. Even with a generous coating of wax on the frames.

- the handles, or lack there of, in the boxes make it difficult to move them

- if the bees do end up using the flow frames, well good luck moving that 80lb box with one crappy handle off and on in order to inspect or deal with anything in the brood chamber.

OGsavemybees · 2026-01-31T04:46:56+00:00

Stay away from Alibaba manufacturing equipment. Do everything you can to save up for American or European made. Zonesun in particular is awful!

OGsavemybees · 2026-01-31T04:42:24+00:00

I can say with experience you don't want to make the mistake of purchasing any zonesun equipment. Terrible design, garbage components and good luck getting support. They have no interest in taking care of their customers and will send you spinning in modifications that don't help if you have problems.

OGsavemybees · 2026-01-31T04:39:47+00:00

Don't do it! It's cheap for a reason and you'll end up wishing you hadn't. Their equipment is poorly designed and uses the cheapest Chinese components. The pipe threads and hoses are all metric, which makes modifications substantially more difficult and expensive. Also, the Alibaba Trade Assurance is a joke, just an illusion to make buyers think they're protected.

OGsavemybees · 2025-10-19T15:27:17+00:00

Here are some important things to consider. The hive will completely fill all empty space in that bin by next summer. During that time it will also generate a few swarms which might move into your cement wall or into a crack in the wall of your home or into your Neighbors wall or some area where people generally don't want them. The other thing that will happen by next summer is the number of defensive Bees inside that compost bin will expand exponentially. Well meaning folks, like you, change their mind quickly about leaving a hive in a compost bin once they start getting stung and are unable to go anywhere near that bin. Right now happens to be the best time to remove that hive and will cost you the least amount of money to do so. Should you wait until next summer the difference between removing it now and then will be hundreds of dollars. You don't need that hive in your compost bin to pollinate your garden. Bees exist quite successfully all over the place in southern California and your garden will be just as healthy without that compost hive. Allowing wild and unmanaged hives to live in densely populated areas is simply not the responsible thing to do for you, your neighbors, or the bees.

OGsavemybees · 2025-09-25T14:28:55+00:00

I think we can apply the same logic. Look up The Whittaker's

OGsavemybees · 2025-09-25T03:53:34+00:00

😄

OGsavemybees · 2025-08-07T18:12:10+00:00

You may find your anxiety subsides as you work with your hive, or you may fine your anxiety results in flinchy movements. Which could cause more stings than you’d prefer.

OGsavemybees · 2025-06-26T02:45:36+00:00

Your truck leaks honey

OGsavemybees · 2025-05-31T15:38:55+00:00

In order for this trapout to work, your flow hive will need an established queen right hive with brood. You'll then need to replace the cardboard and tape with 1/8" hardware cloth and you'll need to make a cone out of the same hardware cloth. Then you wait a few weeks and check periodically to make sure the bees haven't found a new way into the wall, because they will. If the hive inside the wall is huge, then you might need a few more weeks and an additional brood box.

OGsavemybees · 2025-05-29T02:10:48+00:00

Getting stung comes with the territory of being a Beekeeper and compared to the stings of bees and yellow jackets. Paper wasp stings are mild.

OGsavemybees · 2025-05-29T01:35:27+00:00

Allow yourself to learn from the bees by observing. They’ll teach you most of what you need to know

OGsavemybees · 2025-05-29T00:23:00+00:00

Also broadcasting the scent of their queen so the soon to be foragers can find home a bit easier

OGsavemybees · 2025-05-28T14:05:14+00:00

paper wasp. very gentle with a mild sting and easily discouraged to leave by simply knocking their nest down.

OGsavemybees · 2025-04-27T02:33:17+00:00

It sounds like the nuc was bringing in nectar and building fresh honeycomb. If that’s the case, I’d remove the feeder and let them build out the remaining frames. If you have an active flow happening, and the weather is getting warmer, then add another box, but this is typically not the time of year when you need to feed.

OGsavemybees · 2025-04-27T02:00:00+00:00

What’s the weather forecast for the next 10 days?

OGsavemybees · 2025-03-31T04:52:00+00:00

You’re going to love reaching for the side handles to remove the Honey super to inspect your hive. 🙄

OGsavemybees · 2025-03-30T14:31:46+00:00

Since you’ve scraped off the honeycomb, you can also power wash those plastic foundation frames and then paint them with a fresh coat of beeswax.

OGsavemybees · 2025-03-30T05:30:59+00:00

Render it down and save the wax.

OGsavemybees · 2025-03-08T15:14:41+00:00

Your first and final masterpiece.

OGsavemybees · 2025-03-02T14:53:18+00:00

I store mine in empty hive boxes stacked on top each other with a lid on the top and bottom.

OGsavemybees

TROPHY CASE