Country Fields Beekeeping Supplies

08/16/2025

Happy World Honeybee Day, everyone! Let's show our little buddies some extra love today! 🐝🥰🐝🥰

08/12/2025

The Rewarding Challenges of Beekeeping
Beekeeping is often romanticized, but beyond the golden honey lies a world of engaging challenges that beekeepers navigate with skill and dedication. These challenges are not setbacks; they are opportunities to learn and grow.

Stewards of the Hive
One of the most rewarding challenges is maintaining the health of the bees. Beekeepers are diligent stewards, constantly monitoring colonies for vitality and addressing threats like the varroa mite. Successfully managing pests is a testament to their expertise. Beekeepers are also at the forefront of conservation, mitigating the effects of pesticide exposure and habitat loss to protect our planet's most important pollinators.

Adapting to Nature
Beekeepers thrive on adapting to the ever-changing environment. With climate change bringing new weather patterns, they must be resourceful and responsive. A late frost or a prolonged drought can be an opportunity to provide supplemental feeding, ensuring the colony's survival. This constant need for adaptability makes beekeeping a dynamic and stimulating practice.

An Entrepreneurial Spirit
The economic aspects of beekeeping are a source of pride and ingenuity. Beekeepers skillfully manage equipment costs and navigate the market for their products. For commercial beekeepers, orchestrating the complex logistics of moving thousands of hives for pollination services showcases a high level of organization and strategic thinking.

Passionate Educators
Beekeepers are also passionate educators. They engage with communities, dispelling misconceptions about bees and highlighting their critical role in our ecosystem. This public outreach builds stronger, more knowledgeable communities and shares the wonder of the honeybee with others.
Beekeeping is a fulfilling endeavor that combines scientific knowledge, manual skill, business savvy, and a deep sense of environmental stewardship. The next time you enjoy a spoonful of honey, remember the dedicated beekeeper who, with passion and perseverance, brought that sweetness to your table.

Can you share some of the challenges you've had in beekeeping? What keeps you at it? 🐝🥰🐝🥰

08/07/2025

Country Fields Retail Store will be closed Saturday August 9th -

08/05/2025

This is pretty cool... definitely worth a look. 🙂🍹🐝🍹

BrightInspiredAnimalsVIDEO: Woman Notices Bee Tangled in a Spider Web and Brings It to the Closest Hive—What Happens Next Goes ViralFacebookXTruthGettrLinkedInTelegramEmailAdd to My ListSaveCourtesy of Farrah KingBy Deborah George8/6/2024Updated: 8/6/2024Print0:00On a Saturday afternoon in June, a...

08/04/2025

Buzzing into Beekeeping: Your Essential Tool Kit (and a Few Nice-to-Haves!)

So, the gentle hum of a beehive has caught your attention? You're dreaming of golden honey and helping our precious pollinators? That's wonderful! Beekeeping is a rewarding hobby, but before you dive in, it’s good to understand the gear that makes the job safe, efficient, and enjoyable for both you and your bees.

Think of your beekeeping tools like a chef's knives or a gardener's spade... each has a purpose that makes the craft easier. Let's break down what you'll need, from the absolute must-haves to some handy additions.

The Beekeeping Essentials: Don't Start Without These!
These are the core pieces of equipment you'll use every time you open a hive. Investing in good quality here will save you headaches (and stings!) down the road.

Protective Suit/Jacket & Veil: This is your first line of defense! A full suit with a built-in veil offers the most protection, but a jacket with an attached veil is also popular. The key is to protect your face, neck, and arms from stings. Choose a light color, as bees tend to react more aggressively to dark colors.

Why it's essential: Safety first! Bees can be unpredictable, and a good suit minimizes the risk of stings, allowing you to work calmly.

Gloves: Long, gauntlet-style gloves are crucial for protecting your hands and wrists. Leather or heavy-duty synthetic materials are common.

Why it's essential: Protects against stings and sticky propolis.

Hive Tool: This is the multi-purpose workhorse of your beekeeping arsenal. It’s a metal pry bar used for everything from separating hive bodies and frames that are glued together with propolis, to scraping off excess wax.

Why it's essential: Without it, opening a hive is nearly impossible! Propolis is incredibly strong.

Smoker: A beekeeper’s best friend! You light a material (like wood pellets or pine needles) inside the smoker, and the cool smoke calms the bees, making them less defensive during inspections.

Why it's essential: Smoke masks the bees' alarm pheromones, making inspections safer and less stressful for the bees.

Bee Brush: A soft-bristled brush used to gently remove bees from frames without harming them, especially when inspecting for eggs or larvae, or during honey extraction.

Why it's essential: Essential for careful manipulation of frames and avoiding crushing bees.

Good to Haves: Tools That Make Life Easier (Eventually!)
Once you've got the basics down and your colony is thriving, these tools can significantly improve your beekeeping experience.

Frame Grip: This handy tong-like tool allows you to easily lift and hold frames from the hive, preventing them from slipping and making inspections much more comfortable.

Why it's good to have: Reduces strain, prevents accidental frame drops, and keeps your gloves cleaner.

Uncapping Fork/Knife: When it's time to harvest honey, you'll need a tool to remove the thin layer of wax (capping) that bees put over their filled honey cells before extraction. A fork works well for small operations, while a heated knife speeds things up.

Why it's good to have: Essential for honey harvesting once your colony is producing surplus honey.

Queen Catcher/Clip: A small, mesh cage or clip used to safely isolate the queen for a short period during inspections, making it easier to find her, or to prevent her from being accidentally harmed.

Why it's good to have: Especially helpful for beginners who are still learning to spot the queen quickly.

Feeders: Various types of feeders (internal or external) are used to provide sugar syrup to bees, especially during times of nectar dearth, when establishing a new colony, or for winter preparations.

Why it's good to have: Supports hive health and growth, particularly for new colonies or during tough seasons.

Ready to Get Started?
Before you even order your first bees, make sure you have your essential protective gear, a hive tool, and a smoker. These tools, along with good mentorship from an experienced local beekeeper and a solid understanding of bee behavior, will set you up for success.

Beekeeping is a continuous learning journey, and your tool kit will evolve as you gain experience. Happy buzzing!

08/02/2025

Happy long weekend folks! We will be closed on Monday, August 4th. Back open Tuesday regular hours 🐝

07/27/2025

From Bloom to Jar: The Incredible Journey of Honey (and Why It's All Different!)

That golden, viscous liquid we drizzle on toast or stir into our tea has a truly remarkable story. It's a journey that begins not in a factory, but amongst the fragrant blossoms of a local landscape. The path honey takes, from a delicate flower's nectar to the sweet treat in your jar, is a testament to the tireless work of honeybees and the unique character of the local flora.

It all starts with a single bee, drawn to a flower's irresistible perfume. Deep within the bloom, she diligently sips nectar, a sugary liquid produced by the plant. This nectar is more than just a sweet treat for the bee; it's the raw ingredient for honey. As the bee travels from flower to flower... perhaps visiting the vibrant purple of local wildflowers or the delicate blossoms of fruit orchards. She collects this precious liquid, storing it in a special stomach called a honey sac.

Back at the bustling hive, the forager bee regurgitates the nectar, passing it mouth-to-mouth to other worker bees. These bees then begin the fascinating process of transforming the nectar. Enzymes within their bodies break down the complex sugars into simpler ones, and the bees fan their wings vigorously, evaporating excess water. This crucial step thickens the liquid, increasing its sugar concentration and preventing spoilage.

The transformed nectar, now on its way to becoming honey, is deposited into beeswax cells within the honeycomb. The bees continue to evaporate moisture until the honey reaches the perfect consistency. Then, they cap the cell with a thin layer of beeswax, sealing in the sweet treasure.

But here's where the magic truly lies: the honey you taste is a direct reflection of the flowers the bees visited. Just as different grapes produce different wines, different floral sources yield honeys with distinct colors, flavors, and aromas. Honey from predominantly blueberry blossoms might have a darker hue and a slightly tart, fruity note, while clover honey tends to be lighter in color and possess a mild, sweet taste. The diverse mix of wildflowers, berries, and fruit trees in any given area contributes to the unique and varied honeys local beekeepers harvest.

So, the next time you reach for a jar of local honey, take a moment to appreciate its incredible journey... from the bloom kissed by a bee to the carefully crafted sweetness in your hands. It's a delicious reminder of the intricate connection between our natural environment and the incredible bounty it provides.

07/26/2025

We will be closed this coming Monday, July 28th. Back open regular hours on Tuesday. Enjoy the nice weather and sorry for any inconvenience 🐝

07/21/2025

The Buzz on Cancer Research: Could Honeybee Venom Offer a New Path?

Scientists are exploring innovative cancer treatments, and honeybee venom is gaining serious attention. Once a folk remedy, it's now under laboratory investigation for its potential to specifically target and destroy cancer cells.

At the core of this research is melittin, a powerful peptide in bee venom. Studies in labs and animal models show melittin's remarkable anti-cancer properties. It can selectively dismantle cancer cells while largely sparing healthy ones – a crucial step toward less toxic therapies.

Melittin acts in several ways: it directly disrupts cancer cell membranes, interferes with growth pathways, and may even inhibit new blood vessel formation that tumors need.

Though unconventional, the scientific community is cautiously optimistic. Melittin has shown promise against various aggressive cancers, including breast cancer, melanoma, and glioblastoma, in preclinical settings.

It's vital to remember this research is still early. Extensive human clinical trials are needed to understand the safety, efficacy, and best delivery methods for honeybee venom or isolated melittin as a cancer treatment. Still, the ongoing study of this natural compound highlights the diverse therapeutic agents yet to be discovered.

The journey from a bee's sting to a potential cancer therapy is complex, but the hope it offers for future medicine is profound.

07/14/2025

Hot summer days can generate a powerful thirst… here’s a tasty beverage with honey, that’s refreshing with or without alcohol, whichever your preference!

Do you have a favourite summer beverage that includes honey? Please share it with us! 🐝🍹🐝🍹

Honey-Ginger Gin Fizz

Yields: 1 cocktail
Prep time: 5 minutes (plus cooling time for honey-ginger syrup)

Ingredients:
2 oz Gin
1 oz Honey-Ginger Syrup (recipe below)
¾ oz Fresh Lime Juice (lime pairs particularly well with ginger)
3-4 oz Chilled Club Soda or Sparkling Water
Optional Garnish: Candied ginger, lime wheel, or a sprig of mint
Ice

For the Honey-Ginger Syrup:
½ cup Honey
½ cup Water
2-3 slices Fresh Ginger (about ¼ inch thick, peeled)

Instructions:
1. Make the Honey-Ginger Syrup (can be made in advance): * In a small saucepan, combine honey, water, and fresh ginger slices. * Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the honey is dissolved. * Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 20-30 minutes to infuse a good ginger flavor. For a spicier syrup, steep longer. * Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the ginger slices. * Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. It will keep for up to 2 weeks.

2. Prepare the Cocktail: * Add gin, honey-ginger syrup, and fresh lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. * Shake well for about 15-20 seconds, until thoroughly chilled. * Strain the mixture into a chilled highball or Collins glass filled with fresh ice. * Top with chilled club soda or sparkling water. * Stir gently to combine. * Garnish with candied ginger, a lime wheel, or a sprig of mint, if desired.

This cocktail is zesty and invigorating. The gin provides its characteristic botanical notes, which are beautifully enhanced by the spicy warmth of the ginger and the natural sweetness of the honey. The lime juice adds a bright, citrusy counterpoint, and the club soda adds a refreshing fizz. Feel free to omit the gin, if that’s your preference!

07/08/2025

It's heating up, and our fuzzy friends, the honey bees, feel it too! 🥵 Keeping hives cool and hydrated is crucial for a thriving colony in the Nova Scotia summer.

For Beekeepers:

Provide Shade: If possible, ensure your hives are shaded during the hottest parts of the day. Trees, tarps, or even shade boards can make a huge difference.

Good Ventilation: Open up hive entrances fully and consider adding screened bottoms or top vents to allow for better airflow. Bees will also "beard" outside the hive to regulate temperature – it's normal!

Water Source: Make sure there's a reliable, close-by water source. A bird bath with pebbles or a shallow dish with marbles/corks gives them a safe place to drink without drowning. They need it for cooling the hive and making honey!

Monitor for Robbing: In times of dearth and heat, colonies can be weaker and more susceptible to robbing. Keep an eye out and reduce entrance sizes if necessary.

For Everyone Else (You can help too!):

Offer Water: Set out a shallow dish of water with stones, marbles, or wine corks for bees (and other pollinators!) to land on while they drink. Place it in a shady spot.

Plant for Pollinators: Continue to plant drought-tolerant, nectar-rich flowers. Even in the heat, blooming plants provide essential food sources. Consider native plants that are well-adapted to our climate.

Avoid Pesticides: Always refrain from using pesticides on your lawn and garden, especially when plants are in bloom. If you must use them, choose the least toxic options and apply them in the evening when bees are less active.

Every little bit helps our local honey bees thrive through the summer! Let's keep them buzzing! 🐝💧☀️