Bees & Honey

Recent apiary activity

All hives are buttoned up for winter with insulation boards in place and adequate food stores.

How to de-crystallize your honey

Crystallization is a natural process and a good sign that your honey is 100% pure. If your jar becomes cloudy or thick, here are two simple methods to return it to a smooth, pourable state:

Stove top method

1. Remove the lid and place the glass jar in a pot of warm (not boiling) water.
2. Keep the water level below the lid of the jar.
3. Gently stir the honey every 5 minutes until it becomes fluid.
4. Once liquid, remove the jar, let it cool, replace the lid, and store at room temperature.

Microwave method (glass jars only)

1. Remove the lid and place the jar in the microwave.
2. Microwave at 50% power in 30 second intervals. Stir between intervals and stop once the crystals are gone.
3. After the honey is fluid, let it cool, re-lid the jar, and store at room temperature.

Tip: Store honey out of cold spots like a fridge—cool temperatures encourage re-crystallization.

These methods restore flow but do not affect the purity of the honey—it's still the same great taste you love.

Swarm info & traps

Setting a swarm trap in spring is a simple, rewarding way to attract a feral colony. For a concise look at how scout bees evaluate nest sites and reach a decision, see this short video on quorum building: How bees choose a new home. Learn more about honey bee swarm biology here.

If a swarm arrives while you're home it's an exciting, wild sight. Watch this swarm arrival clip to see what it's like.

Interested in putting up a swarm trap in 2026? Email peter@jiwenanyuki.com.

Queen color of the year

Queens are marked using a 5‑color cycle so you can tell the age of your queen by the dot color.

This page uses the official blue theme for 2025.