Monster Mead

01/06/2026

Did you know bees go on cleansing flights even in January? 🐝❄️

On warm days above 45-50°F, honey bees take short, crucial flights to relieve themselves. Here’s why this matters:

🔹 Health Indicator: Cleansing flights mean your bees are alive and healthy!
🔹 Winter Hygiene: Bees can’t afford to have waste piling up, which could lead to disease.
🔹 Natural Instincts: They instinctively wait for warmer weather to maintain cleanliness in their hive.

Look for yellowish streaks outside the hive—this is NORMAL and a sign of a thriving colony! If they're out flying, they're taking care of business.

Keeping our hives clean is essential for their survival through the chilly months!

12/28/2025

12/15/2025

🐭

11/29/2025

This year, I'm experimenting with a self-developed approach for managing my hives.

❄️🐝 Winter Hive Care Tip: Creating Alternative Entrances for Bees 🐝❄️

Winter can pose big challenges for our colonies — from snow-blocked lower entrances to moisture and drafts. To help my Langstroth hives, I mounted a candy / insulation board on top of the stack, drilled 3/8‑inch holes, and stuffed them with small balls of rolled‑up newspaper. This gives the bees an emergency upper entrance they can use if the main entry is buried. ❄️

Why this works:
 Bee‑friendly size: 3/8" openings let workers pass while limiting larger pests.
 Removable plugs: The lightweight newspaper can be pushed out by the bees when they need an exit.
 Propolis option: If they don’t remove the paper, bees will often propolize (coat or seal) it — reducing drafts and improving insulation. They may either propolize the plug closed for warmth or chew/push it out later to regain an exit as conditions change.
 Ventilation and moisture control: An upper opening helps airflow and reduces condensation inside the hive.

In the photo below you can see our hives in a snowy setting — elevated on concrete blocks for drainage and fitted with the emergency top openings. Share your winterizing tips or questions!

11/29/2025

Here’s a free resource to learn about beekeeping!

I'm offering my online Introduction to Beekeeping class for 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 until January 1st! This applies to residents of Kansas and Missouri only. Please email me at: 𝗸𝗰𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗱𝘆@𝘆𝗮𝗵𝗼𝗼.𝗰𝗼𝗺 with your 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞, 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 and I will send you a link! This class is a GREAT way to start looking into this hobby!

11/28/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from our hive to yours!!

11/25/2025

Preparing and condensing our apiaries to double deep brood boxes for winter and trying a new method with candy/ insulation boards!

11/25/2025

I’ve been slacking on posting content. Hopefully I’ll have new mead vids soon for everyone. Also, would like to do an update vid on the classes we had to show you how to rack your mead into a new container when you start seeing sediment(lees) on the bottom! Hope everyone hasa Happy Thanksgiving!

11/05/2025

In the process of making Candy/ insulation boards for our apiary.

11/01/2025

🐀🐝

🐝 The Hidden Wisdom of the Bees 🐝
A tiny mouse, drawn by the sweet scent of honey and the warmth of the hive, sneaks inside — hungry or simply seeking shelter… not knowing this choice will be its last.
The moment the bees sense the intruder, they rise as one — fierce, united, unstoppable. They defend their home until the mouse’s life ends.
But then comes a new challenge…
The bees can’t remove the body — it’s too large to carry out.
And here, nature reveals its genius.
Rather than letting decay poison their hive, the bees use a miraculous substance they create themselves — propolis.
🌿 Propolis is made from tree resin and beeswax.
It’s naturally:
• Antibacterial and antifungal
• Moisture-resistant and preservative
• A perfect organic sealant
Layer by layer, the bees carefully coat the mouse’s body in propolis — sealing it completely, mummifying it without odor or infection.
What remains is not decay, but divine order.
This isn’t mere instinct.
It’s wisdom — a silent knowledge written into their very nature.
Truly… Glory be to the One who taught them what they did not know. 🐝✨