My method, equipment, and plans

I bought my bees from Wolf Creek Apiaries after hearing a few podcasts that were interviews with John Seaborn, the apiarist of Wolf Creek. I first heard them in Los Angeles before moving and was thoroughly excited because they are only a couple hours away from where I was going to be in Tennessee. With patience and good timing I was able to get my bees from them. What excited me about them is that they practice relatively natural practices utilizing only essential oils in pest management as well as strictly raising small cell, 4.9mm , bees. These bees are purportedly more able to handle the mite infestations and require less outside pest management. Also, small cells equals more bees, which means more bees to collect, manage pests, etc.

I also bought my woodenware from a local supplier, Bon Aqua Springs. Trevor, who makes the woodenware, was mentored and is supported by the Seaborn's. They specialize in medium 8 frame hives. This is becoming a popular trend nowadays. There could be many reasons, but my reasons are that they are local, the hives bodies are easily interchangeable (so any frame can be put anywhere) and a full box will be less heavy. I'm not weak, but prefer to save my back if I can. They also utilize the essential oil treatments. What I didn't know, but love is their top frame feeder. It allows me to simply take the covers off the top and pour syrup without disturbing the hive since the feeder occupies the entire top box. The only bees disturbed are the ones currently feeding and the process is very quick. Yay for Bon Aqua Springs!

I intend on using as little treatment as possible and when I do treat I want to stay with essential oils as much as possible. The exception will be the treatment of boric acid for ants and small hive beetles, if I have to treat for these.