Month: December 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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