Bee Knowledge & Educational Articles | Learn About Bees

Bee Knowledge, Insights & Educational Articles

Knowledge Patties is our growing library of bee‑focused articles, facts, and insights designed to educate, inspire curiosity, and deepen understanding of bees and their vital role in our ecosystem.

Shared Recipes, DIY, and Beekeeping Knowledge Patties

If there is a Recipe, DIY, or Tip that has helped improved your apiculture practice, please share it!

NewBeekeeping Knowledge Patties:

• Start queen rearing when the dandelions bloom.

• Swarm monitoring or making splits should start during purple eye Drone stage, or at first sight of flying drone.

• Orient multiple colonies in a “U” or “S” shape rather  than in a straight line. When colonies are placed in a  straight line, bees tend to drift to colonies at the ends of the line, which weakens colonies in the middle.

• You don't have to find the queen on every inspection, simple evidence of eggs, larvae, and capped brood should be your indicator.

• Healthy larvae should be pearly white and "C" shape.

Please conduct your research on preparation, use, and consumtion as this is your risk to own.

Sugar Bricks

• Category:

  • Beekeeping/Hive Management Aid

• Benefits: 

  • Emergency feeding

• Ingredients:

  • 10 lbs sugar : 3/4 cup water 

• Prep Time:

  • 10 mintues mixing and pouring 

  • 3-4 hours cooking

• Instructions:

  • Mix sugar and warm water together until it feels like a soft powder with your choice of mixing tools; I prefer a bucket and paint mixer on a drill

  • Place in small baking sheets about 1/2 thickness of bricks tailored to your feeding approach

  • Bake at 165 F for 3 to 4 hours or until hard

Queen Candy

• Category:

  • Beekeeping/Hive Management Aid

• Benefits: 

  • Used as a time-release mechanism to safely introduce a new queen to a hive. The candy blocks the entrance to the queen's cage, and the worker bees chew through it over a few days, allowing them to acclimate to the new queen's pheromones. 

• Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs sugar (Do not use store-bought confectioner's sugar, as the cornstarch it contains can harm bees.)

  • 1 cup warm honey 

• Prep Time:

  • 60 minutes mixing and rolling

• Instructions:

  • Use a blender or spice grinder to pulverize the granulated sugar until it becomes a fine powder

  • In a bowl, mix the homemade powdered sugar with the warmed honey

  • Knead the mixture with your hands until it has a stiff, putty-like consistency, similar to modeling clay

  • If the mixture is too wet and sticky, add a little more powdered sugar. If it's too dry, add a few extra drops of honey

  • Roll the candy into a ball and press it firmly into the queen cage

  • Store any leftover candy in a sealed plastic bag

Pollen Infused Honey

• Category:

  • Apitherapy/Remedy

• Benefits: 

  • This infused honey may help with digestion, and overall vitality. Take 1 teaspoon daily or mix into warm (not hot) drinks.

• Ingredients:

  • 1 cup raw honey

  • 2 tbsp bee pollen granules

• Prep Time:

  • 60 minutes mixing and rolling

• Instructions:

  • Pour the raw honey into a clean glass jar.

  • Add the bee pollen granules and stir well to combine.

  • Cover the jar and let it sit at room temperature for 24–48 hours, stirring occasionally to help the pollen dissolve into the honey.

  • Once fully infused, store the jar in a cool, dark place.

• Notes:

  • The honey will gradually extract beneficial compounds from the pollen, and the flavor will deepen over time. You can use it as a sweetener, drizzle it over foods, or take it by the spoonful for its nutritional benefits. 

  • Ratios for Benefits:

    • Bee Pollen:

      • Light Infusion (Mild Benefits): 1 teaspoon pollen per 1 cup honey (~1:20 ratio)

      • Moderate Infusion (Balanced Benefits): 1 tablespoon pollen per 1 cup honey (~1:10 ratio)

      • Strong Infusion (Maximum Benefits): 2 tablespoons pollen per 1 cup honey (~1:5 ratio)

      • Using a 1:10 ratio (about 2 tablespoons of pollen per pound of honey) provides a good balance of nutrients without overpowering the flavor or causing digestive sensitivity. If you're new to bee pollen, start with a lower amount and increase gradually to assess tolerance

Pollen & Propolis Infused Honey

• Category:

  • Apitherapy/Remedy

• Benefits: 

  • This infused honey may help with immune health, digestion, and overall vitality. Take 1 teaspoon daily or mix into warm (not hot) drinks.

• Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (240 ml) raw honey

  • 2 tbsp (20 g) bee pollen granules

  • 1 tsp (5 ml) propolis tincture or ½ tsp (2.5 g) raw propolis powder 

• Prep Time:

  • 60 minutes mixing and rolling

• Instructions:

  • Pour raw honey into a clean glass jar.

  • Add bee pollen granules and stir well.

  • If using a propolis tincture, add it directly and stir. If using raw propolis powder, warm the honey slightly (not above 95°F/35°C) to help it blend.

  • Let the mixture sit for 24–48 hours at room temperature, stirring occasionally. 

  • Store in a cool, dark place and stir before each use.

• Notes:

  • The honey will gradually extract beneficial compounds from the pollen, and the flavor will deepen over time. You can use it as a sweetener, drizzle it over foods, or take it by the spoonful for its nutritional benefits. 

  •  Ratios for Benefits:

    • Bee Pollen:

      • Light Infusion (Mild Benefits): 1 teaspoon pollen per 1 cup honey (~1:20 ratio)

      • Moderate Infusion (Balanced Benefits): 1 tablespoon pollen per 1 cup honey (~1:10 ratio)

      • Strong Infusion (Maximum Benefits): 2 tablespoons pollen per 1 cup honey (~1:5 ratio)

      • Using a 1:10 ratio (about 2 tablespoons of pollen per pound of honey) provides a good balance of nutrients without overpowering the flavor or causing digestive sensitivity. If you're new to bee pollen, start with a lower amount and increase gradually to assess tolerance.

    • Propolis: 

      • 1–2% by weight (1 tsp tincture or ½ tsp powder per 1 cup honey) for immune support and antimicrobial properties.

Leather Conditioner

• Category:

  • Beeswax Product

• Benefits: 

  • This works great for boots, bags, belts, and furniture. Test small area before committed use. 

• Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp organic beeswax (adds a protective layer)

  • 4 tbsp organic coconut oil (moisturizes and softens leather)

  • 2 tbsp organic sweet almond oil (or jojoba oil, helps penetrate the leather)

  • Optional: 5 drops of essential oil (like lemon or cedarwood for a natural scent)

• Prep Time:

  • 60 minutes mixing and rolling

• Instructions:

  • Melt the beeswax, coconut oil, and almond oil in a double boiler (or heat-safe bowl over simmering water). Stir occasionally until fully melted.

  • Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. Add the essential oil if using and stir well.

  • Pour into a small jar or tin and let it cool at room temperature until it solidifies.

• Notes:

  • To use, take a small amount, rub it between your hands to warm it up, and apply to clean, dry leather using a soft cloth. Buff gently for absorption and shine.

Lip Balm

• Category:

  • Beeswax Product

• Benefits: 

  • This works for dry lips and prevention.

• Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp organic beeswax pellets (or grated beeswax)

  • 1 tbsp organic coconut oil (moisturizing and antibacterial)

  • 1 tbsp organic shea butter (deep hydration)

  • 5–10 drops of organic essential oil (like peppermint, lavender, or vanilla for scent)

  • Optional: ½ tsp raw honey (for extra moisture and sweetness)

• Prep Time:

  • 60 minutes

• Instructions:

  • In a double boiler (or a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water), melt the beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter together. Stir occasionally.

  • Once fully melted, remove from heat and let it cool for 1–2 minutes before adding the essential oil and honey (if using). Stir well.

  • Quickly pour the mixture into small lip balm containers or tubes before it hardens.

  • Let them cool completely at room temperature before sealing the containers.

  • Store in a cool, dry place and use as needed!