Priddis Honey

05/15/2026

Behold the New Queen 👑🐝
Just made a strong split from a healthy hive last night and introduced a beautiful mated queen to the new nuc today. She’s currently safe in her cage with some attendants with a candy plug in the entrance. In the next day or two the workers will chew out the plug-fingers crossed 🤞🏻 that they accept her as their new reining member. The new colony already looks busy drawing comb and tending to the brood frames I gave them. Excited to check on her release soon and watch this split grow into its own thriving hive.
Nothing beats that feeling of starting a new colony!
Who else is splitting or installing queens right now? Share your experiences or tips below.

05/14/2026

05/14/2026

What’s a girl to do when there are too many bees on the inner cover? Shake it!
🐝🐝🍯🍯

05/13/2026

🐝 Why We Split Hives in the Spring at Priddis Honey 🐝
Hey friends! As the willows start to bloom here in the Priddis foothills, our bees are waking up with one thing on their minds: making more bees… and possibly a new home!
Every strong, healthy colony builds up fast in the spring. The queen ramps up her laying, the nurse bees are busy, and before you know it, the hive is bursting at the seams. When that happens, the bees start raising new queens and the older queen gets the signal — it’s time to swarm.
Swarming is natural. It’s how honeybees reproduce as a colony. But for us beekeepers (and for keeping consistent honey production), an unexpected swarm can mean losing half your workforce right when the main nectar flow is about to hit.
That’s why we split hives in the spring.
By gently dividing a strong colony into two (or more) we give the bees more space, reduce congestion, and lower the swarming urge. One hive keeps the original queen, the other gets queen cells or a new queen we’ve raised. Both colonies stay happy, healthy, and focused on building up instead of packing their bags and heading for the horizon.
It’s good for the bees, good for the beekeeper, and means more strong pollinators out there doing their vital work in our Alberta landscape.
Spring splits are one of the most important (and rewarding) parts of beekeeping here at Priddis Honey. It takes timing, care, and a whole lot of respect for these incredible little creatures that give us so much.
Got questions about beekeeping or want to know when this year’s harvest will be ready? Drop them below — happy to chat bees anytime!
Local. Raw. Pure.
From our hives to your table. 🍯

05/08/2026

🐝 Spring Support for Strong, Healthy Hives 🌼🍯
At Priddis Honey, spring hive management is already underway. While the snow may be disappearing and the bees are becoming more active, Alberta springs can still be unpredictable — and natural nectar and pollen sources are often not yet available in enough quantity to support a rapidly growing colony.
That’s why many beekeepers provide supplemental feeding in early spring using:�🍯 Fondant – a safe carbohydrate source that helps maintain energy stores until the honey flow begins�🌼 Pollen or pollen substitute – provides the protein bees need to raise healthy brood and build strong populations for the season ahead
As the queen increases egg laying, colonies can quickly consume their winter reserves. Supplemental feeding helps bridge the gap between winter survival and spring abundance, especially during cold snaps or delayed blooms.
Healthy spring nutrition supports:�🐝 Brood development�🐝 Colony strength�🐝 Immune function�🐝 Better pollination and honey production later in the season
Our goal is always to support the bees naturally and responsibly so they are strong and thriving when the dandelions, clover, and wildflowers begin to bloom. 🌸
Spring is one of the most important times in the hive — and a little extra support now can make all the difference for the season ahead. 🍯🐝

04/19/2026

I am not sure where they are finding pollen, but they are! Could it be spring is here?

04/04/2026

First sting of 2026! Yay:/ 🐝🐝🐝

02/07/2026

🐝 Chinook Break = Early Hive Check Time! 🍯❄️🌤️

Hey friends, it’s still very much winter here in Priddis (more snow and cold ahead, we know!), but Mother Nature threw us a beautiful Chinook curveball this week—warm winds, blue skies, temps climbing way above normal, and even a classic Chinook arch lighting up the sky.

Took advantage of the thaw to get into the hives safely: quick peek, topped up with emergency fondant for the girls who might be getting low after the deep freezes, cleared some vents, and made sure everyone’s clustered tight and happy. The bees were surprisingly active—some cleansing flights and a low buzz going!

The true 2026 season kickoff (first nectar flows, full spring buildup) is still months away, but these warm spells are a sweet reminder that spring is plotting its comeback. Grateful for the window to give our hives a little TLC now.

If you’re local and craving some pure raw Alberta honey right now, we’ve still got plenty of that delicious 2025 harvest available—stocked and ready! We’re already dreaming of those wildflower pulls for 2026 later this year. Drop a 🐝 if you’ve felt the Chinook magic too, or comment your favorite thing about these warm winter days!

Stay tuned for more updates as we head toward real spring buzz. DM for local pickup, and to snag some 2025 honey before it’s gone!

FoothillsAlberta SupportLocalBees HoneyLife BeeCheck ChinookArch AlbertaWinter 2025Honey

01/04/2026

❄️ Winter Magic in the Alberta Foothills ❄️

While the snowy peaks tower over Priddis and temperatures plunge below freezing, something incredible happens inside our beehives at Priddis Honey...

Thousands of bees form a tight winter cluster, a living blanket of teamwork! 🐝

At the heart, where the queen safely resides, it’s a cozy 90–95°F (32–35°C) – like a tropical oasis in the cold.

The outer layer – the brave “mantle” of bees – stays cooler at 42–53°F (6–12°C), acting as natural insulation.

How? They vibrate their flight muscles non-stop to generate heat, rotating positions so no one freezes. Pure bee power! 💪

This is how our resilient colonies survive Alberta’s harsh winters, ready to buzz into spring and create that golden Priddis honey we all love.

Nature’s tiny superheroes at work. What’s your favorite winter wonder? 🌨️🍯