Susan Chernak McElroy – Keeping Backyard Bees

An Indoor Beehive In My Bedroom Wall

Susan Chernak McElroy — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 19:36:53 +0000

Once again, I find myself gloriously behind the times. In this particular case, a few thousand years behind the times. I built and maintain a wall beehive — a colony housed in the wall of my bedroom. I have been calling it my Observation Hive because it has a plexiglas cover on the inside wall, […]

The post An Indoor Beehive In My Bedroom Wall appeared first on Keeping Backyard Bees.

Hands-Off Beekeeping

Susan Chernak McElroy — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 23:59:09 +0000

There is conventional beekeeping in Langstroth hives. And then, there is beekeeping a wholly "other way."

The post Hands-Off Beekeeping appeared first on Keeping Backyard Bees.

SKEP BEEKEEPING: From a Hive to a Skep

Susan Chernak McElroy — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 18:43:46 +0000

Moving colonies successfully and gently from one hive to another takes planning and good bee math.

The post SKEP BEEKEEPING: From a Hive to a Skep appeared first on Keeping Backyard Bees.

Keeping Bees in Skeps: My Continuing Journey in Straw

Susan Chernak McElroy — Mon, 01 May 2017 22:44:24 +0000

This is my first summer keeping bees in straw hives called "skeps." Come follow my journey!

The post Keeping Bees in Skeps: My Continuing Journey in Straw appeared first on Keeping Backyard Bees.

HIVE ENTRANCES: Making a Bee Gauntlet

Susan Chernak McElroy — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 18:16:04 +0000

On a very frigid winter day a couple of months ago, I bundled up in my down parka and went to the bee yard to do my daily “Clear Away.” Two of my Top Bar hives came with bottom entrances—those long slits that run across the bottom of the hive face. Taking a thin stick […]

The post HIVE ENTRANCES: Making a Bee Gauntlet appeared first on Keeping Backyard Bees.

Want to Keep Bees? Follow These 7 Basic Steps to Get Started

Susan Chernak McElroy — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 21:25:33 +0000

You really don't need to know a lot to bring home your first bees. Just take care of some important basics, and learn as you go.

The post Want to Keep Bees? Follow These 7 Basic Steps to Get Started appeared first on Keeping Backyard Bees.

Ventilation: It’s Complicated

Susan Chernak McElroy — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 21:18:02 +0000

The interior of a hive is a wet, warm, stifling environment. Should we put our opposable thumbs to use and take over temperature control?

The post Ventilation: It’s Complicated appeared first on Keeping Backyard Bees.

Bee-Centered Beekeeping: Part III

Susan Chernak McElroy — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 19:50:51 +0000

We finish up our discussion of the last few tenets of bee-centered beekeeping. And then reflect on how to apply them to our own location, our own style.

The post Bee-Centered Beekeeping: Part III appeared first on Keeping Backyard Bees.

Keeping Bees in Straw Hives—An New Journey

Susan Chernak McElroy — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 17:38:44 +0000

It has been five months since I brought my bright and beautiful, straw-woven Sun Hive home, and just three months since I escorted a small cast swarm up a wooden ramp and into its dark and enfolding interior...

The post Keeping Bees in Straw Hives—An New Journey appeared first on Keeping Backyard Bees.

What Do Bees Like? Bees-First Beekeeping Part II

Susan Chernak McElroy — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 18:05:46 +0000

Swarming is a good thing---really! And naturally-mated queens will give you the best chance for a thriving, surviving hive.

The post What Do Bees Like? Bees-First Beekeeping Part II appeared first on Keeping Backyard Bees.