Blue Sky Bee Supply Blog

Author: James TewHow hard can it be?Well, it’s complicated. Try this. Go to the established bee book of your choice and look up supplemental feeding. Be prepared for some extensive reading. Since I’m writing for Bee Culture magazine, I went to ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture. The supplemental feeding section in the new text is exhaustive – as it would be in most beekeeping textbooks. As is always the case in all-things beekeeping – if you have a lot of options – then the absolute best way for pe …

How do I use SuperDFM-HoneyBee?Feed SuperDFM-HoneyBee dry every time you provide supplemental feeding for the bees. Alternatively, inoculate the hives using MicroCloud attachment without opening the hive.How often should SuperDFM-HoneyBee be used?SuperDFM-HoneyBee is recommended monthly during the colonies' active time. At the least, administer SuperDFM every time supplemental feeding is needed.How do I apply SuperDFM in a top bar hive?Dust the DFM on top of the bees near the brood. One tablesp …

Raising native bees creates diversity in your ecosystem, which helps to ensure that all different types of plants are being pollinated. About 90% of native bee species are solitary, meaning they do not live in colonies or produce honey, making them easy to raise. Every female solitary bee lays eggs and takes care of her young on her own, which makes them very gentle and unlikely to sting, as they are not defending a hive or honey.The manner in which native bees, like the mason bee, forage and …

The oxalic acid dribble method involves mixing oxalic acid with sugar syrup and applying it straight to your clustered bees using a large syringe. It is ideal to perform the dribble at a time when little to no capped brood is present in the hive and when your bees are clustered together. It can be done in temps as low as 40 degrees F. This way, the bees will remain clustered when you open the hive. What you’ll need: Oxalic acid (Api-Bioxal) Gram scale Glass container for …

The new year is just around the corner, and this time of year always comes with some exciting things for us. The most exciting of which is our new catalog! Our small team works diligently for months to create a catalog that, we like to think, really sticks out in the industry - and more importantly, simplifies the purchasing process for you, the beekeeper.  This year has been no exception. It'll be hitting your mailboxes soon, and we're really excited for you to see it, and all the …