Phillip Cairns
@phillipcairns.bsky.social
Beekeeping on the island Newfoundland since 2010.
mudsongs.org
mudsongs.org
I posted a #video at mudsongs.org that shows why I think the "Bee Cozy" hive wrap might be a good fit for my standard Langstroth condensing hives on the east coast of #Newfoundland. (Not a paid endorsement.)
#beekeeping
#beekeeping
November 11, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I posted a #video at mudsongs.org that shows why I think the "Bee Cozy" hive wrap might be a good fit for my standard Langstroth condensing hives on the east coast of #Newfoundland. (Not a paid endorsement.)
#beekeeping
#beekeeping
October 3, 2025 at 11:33 AM
September 28, 2025 at 8:18 PM
September 26, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Here's the update. The wax cappings aren't completely dry yet, but they're not wet.
#beekeeping in #newfoundland
#beekeeping in #newfoundland
September 17, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Here's the update. The wax cappings aren't completely dry yet, but they're not wet.
#beekeeping in #newfoundland
#beekeeping in #newfoundland
Wet wax cappings after extracting some honey left outside this morning for the bees to clean up. Stay tuned to this evening's big update when I expect to find nothing left by dry flakes of wax.
#beekeeping in #newfoundland
#beekeeping in #newfoundland
September 17, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Wet wax cappings after extracting some honey left outside this morning for the bees to clean up. Stay tuned to this evening's big update when I expect to find nothing left by dry flakes of wax.
#beekeeping in #newfoundland
#beekeeping in #newfoundland
For people who lack the time, the money or the skill to make their own robbing screens, which can come in handy at times, there are "natural" alternatives that can get the job done too.
#beekeeping
#beekeeping
September 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
For people who lack the time, the money or the skill to make their own robbing screens, which can come in handy at times, there are "natural" alternatives that can get the job done too.
#beekeeping
#beekeeping
September 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM
I pulled 5 medium supers/boxes of honey off this tall hive yesterday (3.5 deep supers).
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
September 7, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I pulled 5 medium supers/boxes of honey off this tall hive yesterday (3.5 deep supers).
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
I use wooden inner covers only for feeding purposes now. But when I do use them, I grab my solid wax-dipped inner covers because... they're better. Just one man's opinion.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
September 4, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I use wooden inner covers only for feeding purposes now. But when I do use them, I grab my solid wax-dipped inner covers because... they're better. Just one man's opinion.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
I don't use frame feeders anymore. But I would if they were available for mediums supers. I think they're excellent for nucs.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
September 3, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I don't use frame feeders anymore. But I would if they were available for mediums supers. I think they're excellent for nucs.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
September 2, 2025 at 10:13 AM
A left some honey frames out (oops) and the bees began to clean them out in no time.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
August 27, 2025 at 8:12 PM
A left some honey frames out (oops) and the bees began to clean them out in no time.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
Despite the drought-like conditions, a second nectar flow seems well on its way in Flatrock. My bees have shifted into honey-making mode. I'd say their instincts are telling them this is their last shot for making honey this year, so let's give 'er.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping #newfoundland #nlwx
mudsongs.org #beekeeping #newfoundland #nlwx
August 15, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Despite the drought-like conditions, a second nectar flow seems well on its way in Flatrock. My bees have shifted into honey-making mode. I'd say their instincts are telling them this is their last shot for making honey this year, so let's give 'er.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping #newfoundland #nlwx
mudsongs.org #beekeeping #newfoundland #nlwx
Here's a hive inspection that, along with other signs I've noticed in my other colonies, kind of makes me think we're in for a nectar dearth. We need rain in a bad way ASAP.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping #nlwx
mudsongs.org #beekeeping #nlwx
July 28, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Here's a hive inspection that, along with other signs I've noticed in my other colonies, kind of makes me think we're in for a nectar dearth. We need rain in a bad way ASAP.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping #nlwx
mudsongs.org #beekeeping #nlwx
June 25, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Checkerboarding doesn't seem critical to my #beekeeping, only in that I do a variation of it all the time without thinking about it when I clear honey frames so the queen doesn't become honeybound.
mudsongs.org
mudsongs.org
June 13, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Checkerboarding doesn't seem critical to my #beekeeping, only in that I do a variation of it all the time without thinking about it when I clear honey frames so the queen doesn't become honeybound.
mudsongs.org
mudsongs.org
June 12, 2025 at 7:56 PM
It's 20°C (68°F) and my bees should be flying, but they're not. None of them are, big or small.
#beekeeping
#beekeeping
June 7, 2025 at 4:26 PM
It's 20°C (68°F) and my bees should be flying, but they're not. None of them are, big or small.
#beekeeping
#beekeeping
A quick shot of bees building fresh foundationless comb real fast. Pro tip: At least one foundationless frame per box when a colony is full of bees and capped brood can help prevent swarming. The bees focus on filling in the empty space with comb instead of swarming.
#beekeeping
#beekeeping
June 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM
A quick shot of bees building fresh foundationless comb real fast. Pro tip: At least one foundationless frame per box when a colony is full of bees and capped brood can help prevent swarming. The bees focus on filling in the empty space with comb instead of swarming.
#beekeeping
#beekeeping
I keep forgetting to bring my queen marker for marking all my unmarked queens. Nevertheless, I don't seem to have any trouble spotting them (most of the time).
#beekeeping #queenbees
#beekeeping #queenbees
June 5, 2025 at 5:34 PM
I keep forgetting to bring my queen marker for marking all my unmarked queens. Nevertheless, I don't seem to have any trouble spotting them (most of the time).
#beekeeping #queenbees
#beekeeping #queenbees