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Welcome to
THE BUZZ
What's the Buzz?
The Buzz is a beekeeping blog by Master Beekeeper, Christine McDonald.
Through these articles, I share my experiences and advice in a way that is concise and easy to understand. If you would like me to speak at an upcoming club meeting or event, you can learn more about my speaking engagements here. And if you've found this valuable and would like to buy me a cup of tea, you can do so here.
Bee well!
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Cleaning up a Dead Hive
It's not a pleasant job, but it's got to be done. Most of what is inside your hive can be reused, either in other hives or by the new...
rushingriverapiaries
Mar 3, 20222 min read
Making a Sugar Board
Making a sugar board for your bees can provide extra food for them if their honey stores run low and can provide peace of mind for you as...
rushingriverapiaries
Mar 1, 20222 min read
A New Queen for the Hive
Whether it's you or your bees who decide that it's time for a new queen, here are some tips and tricks for facilitating an overthrow of...
rushingriverapiaries
Feb 28, 20223 min read
Signs of a Failing Queen
We always love to see the queen during an inspection, but laying eyes on her is only one very small part of determining how healthy and...
rushingriverapiaries
Feb 23, 20223 min read
On the Queen's Time
Understanding the time that it takes for a queen bee to develop is not only important if you're in the business of raising queens. It...
rushingriverapiaries
Feb 12, 20224 min read
Happy Bees, Grumpy Bees
One day you're sweet as honey and the next day, you wish you had a stinger. Bees can be moody too. A scientist would argue that...
rushingriverapiaries
Feb 1, 20223 min read
Queen Cells 101
What can you tell from a queen cell? Quite a bit, if you know what you're looking for. Below I'll share some photos and tips for...
rushingriverapiaries
Jan 17, 20223 min read
Making Splits for Growth
Unless you are planning something exponential, there's no need to buy more bees as you grow your apiary. Splitting the colonies you have...
rushingriverapiaries
Jan 4, 20221 min read
Gear for Growth
How much gear do you need to grow your apiary? Would you be disappointed if I told you "it depends"? Because it really does, of course. ...
rushingriverapiaries
Dec 28, 20213 min read
Nuc Box Reviews
Now that I have convinced you that you need a nuc box (or 10), here are some tried and true reviews to help you decide which nuc box(es)...
rushingriverapiaries
Dec 20, 20212 min read
Why You Need a Nuc Box (or 10)
Yes you. You with dreams of doubling your hive numbers. You with dreams of raising your own queens. Yes, even you with one or two...
rushingriverapiaries
Dec 16, 20212 min read
Spring Feeding for Growth
If you've got ambitions to grow your apiary, a good feeding strategy will help you meet whatever goals you have set for building up your...
rushingriverapiaries
Dec 13, 20212 min read
Something from Nothing
Winter is a season for dreaming, and we like to dream big. As we spend the month talking about apiary expansion, this is our own growth...
rushingriverapiaries
Dec 8, 20212 min read
Oxalic Acid Vaping
Oxalic Acid is an inexpensive and highly effective mite treatment, but can be intimidating because of the equipment involved. Here are...
rushingriverapiaries
Oct 24, 20212 min read
October Hive Work: Late Fall Prep
Sunny fall days are few and far between in the Northwest. The only thing fall-ing around here in October is usually rain. But today...
rushingriverapiaries
Oct 15, 20212 min read
After the Honey is Pulled: Preparing Your Hive for Winter
You had a honey harvest. Your equipment is still sticky from the mess, and you're tired from the lifting, uncapping, spinning,...
rushingriverapiaries
Sep 14, 20213 min read
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