Build Your Own BeeCam Step 1: Basics

Step 1: Basics for your BeeCam Contents Why the R. Pi? What to order How to set it up, attached to a monitor and home network Purpose Getting started and building with Raspberry Pi is well documented, but everyone seems to have a different solution. When I was getting started, I found myself spending too…

Build Your Own BeeCam

Back in 2015, in the dawn of IOT (internet of things) development, I purchased a Raspberry Pi using my birthday money. I had hoped with just a little investment, I could collect data and build a webcam for my bees and then, anytime I needed a little “zen,” I could whip out my phone and…

Barn Conversion Complete

I’m very delinquent in getting this posted, as I completed the barn conversion over a year ago. Now that I’m no longer working, I guess I have no excuse for getting so far behind… After all the interior walls were removed, I poured concrete footings for the posts required to support the new glulam beams….

Smoking: Girls Best Friend

I use smoke on the hives only when I’m doing a complete inspection. Seems like it’d be easy to light paper on fire, but starting fire at the bottom of a can is actually a little tricky. I have it down finally. Here is my stuff that I love with the steps enumerated: Paper: Shredded/dry…

Wild Sprout Apiary 2016

After two years of planning, the apiary was born. 2016 Configuration   Hive A:  “Modern Molly” Hive B: “Natural Nadia” Goal Survival Healthy Honey Hive Type: Langstroth Yes Yes Hive Size: 10-frame Medium Yes Yes Hive Materials Pine Painted Cedar Not Painted Frames Groove Top/Bottom Top wedge comb guide Foundation Waxed Rite-Cell None Pesticides (Varroa)…

Swarm 2017

After the winter of 2016, when inspecting the original two hives, I had concluded: Hive 1 (the one I re-queened with an Italian) died and Hive 2 (the Carniolans) absconded. So in May 2017, when we noticed the swarm just above the old hives (in the pines), it gave me hope that at least one…