08/24/2026
Sometimes the jobs aren't glamorous, but they are still essential.
We rotate out comb to reduce pesticide build up from commercial agriculture exposure and landscaping. Every five years, or whenever frames start looking icky, Erica removes those frames and cuts out the wax comb. The woodenware is repaired, if needed, and then fresh wax foundation is installed.
Research is showing that in five years the build up of commercial agriculture chemicals used by surrounding commercial farms builds up in the wax of honey bee colonies to a toxic and lethal level. Environmental chemical exposure from commercial agriculture is a huge factor in honey bee health.
Not only does this process of cycling out frames reduce environmental chemical build up, but it also helps reduce pests. Sometimes the older wax comb can be rendered down for furniture polish, sometimes it can't. This batch of older frames was too far gone, having sat in the shed for a bit.
The bees are happily gathering pollen and nectar from late summer flowers, Erica is willing the tomatoes to hurry up and ripen, wood is being split, and small projects like this one are getting tackled.
