Why is Tim’s Honey Different?

“My beekeeping and honey production is of the mindset of bee first, honey second.  I follow best management practices and raise the healthiest bees I possibly can.  Healthy bees survive longer and in turn produce more honey.  Routine hive inspections to stay ahead of potential swarming activity and actively monitoring hives for varroa mites and taking steps to keep mites in check is paramount to my operation.  Additionally my hives are of local survivor stock and I make my hive increases/ splits from hives that have proven hardy enough to get through our winter and into spring.  When honey is harvested, we only take what is in excess of what the bees need to survive on.  Care is taken to ensure the best product possible is provided to customers.

Some of the health benefits of using local honey include: seasonal allergy relief,  source of antioxidants, helps boost immunity, source of enzymesEton aid in digestion and soothing sore throats.”


FAQs

  • “My beekeeping journey started in 2018. In March I cut down a tree with an active colony in it and transferred those bees to a Langstroth style hive in late May. I also purchased two packages of bees in April.”

  • “I started beekeeping hoping to get the fruit trees in our yard pollinated.  At the time, I didn't realize all the plants that insects pollinated.  While I was looking for the honeybees I was noticing the role of mason bees, bumblebees,  butterflies,  etc.  

    My mother had some honeybees while growing up and I was fascinated watching them zip in and out of the hive.  I've come to find out I'm the fourth generation beekeeper in this immediate area.  My mother, grandmother, and great-grandfather also kept bees.”

  • “This is my 7th year in beekeeping. 2018 was the first beekeeping season.”

  • “My number of hives fluctuates throughout the year. At times I may have as many as 25 active colonies. This includes both small nucleus colonies as well as honey production hives. The nucleus colonies are used to requeen existing hives, replace winter losses and sell if numbers permit (I do get inspected through the PA Department of Agriculture and have a queen/ nuc permit). My happy number of hives is usually around 12-15 when going in to the spring nectar flow.”

  • “Honey production varies hive to hive and year to year. It varies by location also. I keep records of each hive in each yard and have found hives near water and open areas produce more honey. Hives I have in more wooded areas tend to produce less honey.

    My average honey production per hive in 2023 was 63 lbs per hive. Of the 16 hives managed for honey yield, the most produced from one hive was 123 lbs. In our area, 2023 had an exceptional basswood (American Linden) nectar flow.”