JC's Bee Blog

  2021 Five Frame Nucs $190  ($90 Deposit Per Nuc)   *Expected Pickup May 20th- June 20th (Weather Permitting)  About The Bees Nucs are a great way to get into beekeeping or just to grow your existing apiary. My nucs are mothered by queens grafted from my own bee yards. Each queen is judged for things like gentleness, brood production, buildup ability, honey production and hygienic behavior (self ability to manage mites). They are of no specific breed, just good quality queens. A good queen bee will lay full frames of brood when the resources are available (nectar/pollen). After that, It doesn't take them long to start growing in population. With that said, these nucs will be very strong and ready to be transferred to a full size box once you get them home. This is a very simple task that I can explain at pickup if needed. *Expected Pickup May 20th- June 20th (Weather Permitting) What's included: - 5 Deep frames (3 of which will be active brood frames in several...

  Small Hive Beetle Facts Females hive beetles may lay up to 1,000 eggs. Eggs are laid in cracks and crevices inside the hive. Eggs Hatch in about 3 days (range 3-6 days) Larva feed on pollen, honey and brood inside the hive. Larva leave the hive and enter soil around the hive from 7 to 10pm (peak at 9pm). Remain as larva in soil for 3-5 days. Mature larva are about 1/4" to 3/8" in length. About 83% of larva enter soil within 12 inches of hive. Roughly 80% burrow into the soil to a depth of 1-4 inches.  Hive beetle larva pupate after being larva for 16-19 days. Pupal stage lasts about 8 days. New adult hive beetles emerge from soil several days after becoming adults. Dry soils are more favorable to adults development. Life cycle of shb averages 27-30 days. Adults are known to live 188 days Adults hive beetles hide during winter inside honey bee colonies and in honey houses. Small Hive Beetle larva crawling out to enter soil   Common Practices That Will Help Lower Beetle C...