Year: 2025

Beekeeping

High-Fructose Corn Syrup for Honey Bees: What You Need to Know

Matthew Walker0 comment

When it comes to feeding bees, every beekeeper has their own playbook. Some stick with cane sugar syrup, others experiment with protein patties and pollen substitutes, and a large number, myself included, use high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). HFCS sometimes gets a bad reputation, but in my experience, it can be an excellent feed option for commercial beekeepers when sourced and stored properly. Let’s unpack what it is, why I use it, and how to keep it safe for your bees. What Is HFCS, Really? HFCS is made from corn starch…

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Queen Rearing

Queen Care

Matthew Walker0 comment

If you purchased caged mated queens from us, we always recommend installing them in a queenless colony as soon as possible. If you need to keep your queen caged overnight or for several days you need to remember that queens need three things to survive: food, water, and nurse bees. You have two easy options for storing your queens short-term. The easiest method is to purchase a battery box from us and ask us to shake fresh nurse bees with your queens. As soon as you get home you should…

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Beginner Beekeeping

New Beekeeper FAQ

Matthew Walker0 comment

Q: What should I do when I bring home my nuc? A: Gently remove one frame at a time and place them in the center of your 10 or 8 frame box. Place the remaining frames of foundation on the outside of the five frames that you purchased from us. We recommend not waiting to transfer your nuc to your new hive kit but doing it as soon as you get home. If you can’t transfer the nuc to a larger box right away that is perfectly fine just remember…

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The Pollen Nation Podcast Show Notes

HFCS vs Sucrose (Podcast Citations)

Matthew Walker0 comment

Diet-dependent gene expression in honey bees: Honey vs. sucrose or high fructose corn syrup. Scientific Reports, 2014 Carbohydrate nutrition associated with health of overwintering honey bees. PLOS One, 2023 The effect of high-fructose corn syrup on wintering honey bees. American Bee Journal, 2013 Sucrose, glucose, and fructose preference in honeybees and their effects on food digestibility. Journal of Apicultural Research, 2024 Impact of Different Sugar Syrups on the Development of the Fat Body in Worker Bees. Insects, 2024 Comparison of Productivity of Colonies of Honey Bees, Apis mellifera, Supplemented with…

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Honey

Does Local Honey Help with Seasonal Allergies? A Beekeeper’s Guide

Matthew Walker

Every spring, when the pollen starts flying, I get the same question from market customers and visitors to my apiary: “If I eat local honey, will it help with my allergies?” It’s one of the most common beliefs about honey, and it makes sense at first glance. After all, allergies are caused by pollen, and honey contains pollen. But the truth is more complicated and as a beekeeper, I think it’s important to explain both the science and the practical side of the story. In this article, we’ll explore: What…

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Beginner Beekeeping

Beehive Splits: What They Are?

Matthew Walker

If you keep bees long enough, you’ll eventually find yourself making a split. In the simplest terms, a split is just what it sounds like, taking one strong colony and dividing it into two (or more). Sounds straightforward, right? Well, yes and no. The idea is simple, but the ways to split and the reasons for doing it are as varied as the beekeepers out there. Why Make a Split? Beekeepers split colonies for all kinds of reasons: The Basics of a Good Split While there are many ways to…

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Beekeeping

Why Extra Hive Space Doesn’t Always Stop Swarming

Matthew Walker

If you’ve kept bees for any length of time, you’ve probably asked or been asked this question: “How can I stop my bees from swarming?” A common answer is, “Give them more room so they don’t feel crowded.”From there, we end up with the statement: “Crowding causes swarming.”But is it really that simple? Swarming Isn’t Just About Space In his excellent book Honeybee Democracy, Dr. Thomas Seeley points out: “To this day, no one knows what specific stimuli the worker bees are sensing and integrating when they make the critical…

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Beginner Beekeeping

New to Beekeeping? A Real-World Guide to Starting Your First Hive

Matthew Walker

So, you’ve decided you want to keep bees. Congratulations you’ve officially joined the ranks of people who are willing to share their backyard with thousands of tiny, flying, occasionally moody roommates. Welcome to the club. This is your crash course in starting a hive without losing your shirt, your patience, or your queen. Why Beekeeping is Worth the Sting Risk Bees are more than honey-makers. They’re pollinators, teachers, therapists, and occasionally comedians (just wait until you see one tumble out of a flower). They’ll pull you outside more often, connect…

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