Phillip Cairns
@phillipcairns.bsky.social
Beekeeping on the island Newfoundland since 2010.
mudsongs.org
mudsongs.org
My revolutionary method to unclog dead bees from a mouse guard if you don't happen to have a pair of tweezers handy.
#beekeepingtips
#beekeepingtips
December 20, 2025 at 1:38 PM
My revolutionary method to unclog dead bees from a mouse guard if you don't happen to have a pair of tweezers handy.
#beekeepingtips
#beekeepingtips
Not much going on in my little beeyard because my bees are tucked away and ready for winter.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping #nlwx
youtu.be/HOLsoh3cq3I
mudsongs.org #beekeeping #nlwx
youtu.be/HOLsoh3cq3I
Winter, Bring It On!
YouTube video by Phillip Cairns
youtu.be
December 8, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Not much going on in my little beeyard because my bees are tucked away and ready for winter.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping #nlwx
youtu.be/HOLsoh3cq3I
mudsongs.org #beekeeping #nlwx
youtu.be/HOLsoh3cq3I
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
Verdict on "Condensing" Hives (Aug 31, 2025)
YouTube video by Phillip Cairns
youtu.be
September 2, 2025 at 4:26 PM
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
A quiet forest of hardwood trees that was habitat for pollinators, birds and other animals was ploughed under to create the current grounds for the #CanadaGames2025 in St. John's, #Newfoundland. These photos show what some of it looked like when I created an apiary there in 2022.
#beekeeping
#beekeeping
August 2, 2025 at 3:45 PM
A quiet forest of hardwood trees that was habitat for pollinators, birds and other animals was ploughed under to create the current grounds for the #CanadaGames2025 in St. John's, #Newfoundland. These photos show what some of it looked like when I created an apiary there in 2022.
#beekeeping
#beekeeping
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
youtu.be/CK8Y4EpOSrg?...
Checking to see if the queen from a botched newspaper combine is still alive.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
Checking to see if the queen from a botched newspaper combine is still alive.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
A Botched Newspaper Combine - Part 2 (July 13, 2025)
YouTube video by Phillip Cairns
youtu.be
July 14, 2025 at 6:17 PM
youtu.be/CK8Y4EpOSrg?...
Checking to see if the queen from a botched newspaper combine is still alive.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
Checking to see if the queen from a botched newspaper combine is still alive.
mudsongs.org #beekeeping
June 25, 2025 at 8:48 PM
June 22, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Here's a blurry shot of fresh and capped worker brood on a foundationless frame. I found so many frames like this today, I didn't have to think too long about what I had to do, which follows what is pretty much my #1 rule in #beekeeping (if there are any rules): "Give the queen room to lay."
June 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Here's a blurry shot of fresh and capped worker brood on a foundationless frame. I found so many frames like this today, I didn't have to think too long about what I had to do, which follows what is pretty much my #1 rule in #beekeeping (if there are any rules): "Give the queen room to lay."
A queen catcher for marking queens turns out to be a piece of junk. I might be able to replace the cheap mesh with some quarter-inch screen. #beekeeping
June 15, 2025 at 1:31 PM
A queen catcher for marking queens turns out to be a piece of junk. I might be able to replace the cheap mesh with some quarter-inch screen. #beekeeping