<![CDATA[Monica King

<![CDATA[Monica King - Blog]]>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 06:04:55 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Are bees enjoying your pool?]]>Tue, 24 Jun 2025 22:12:46 GMThttps://www.monicamking.com/blog/are-bees-enjoying-your-pool

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Bees need water. They are gathering water to take back to their hive. First, provide an alternative water source in a location away from people. Then apply Bio-Dex Skill-it Swimming Pool Algaecide mixed 25/75 concentration with water spray on pool tiles and pool. Here is the link: https://amzn.to/4li3cnz

]]><![CDATA[Water - Off Grid]]>Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:51:11 GMThttps://www.monicamking.com/blog/water-off-grid

]]><![CDATA[Laundry off the grid.....]]>Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:22:48 GMThttps://www.monicamking.com/blog/laundry-off-the-gridAs an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.

I used to have a water saving front end loading washer and a dryer at our previous house. It has been almost twelve years now living off the grid. When we first moved and brought that fancy front end loader along with us, it did not work well off the grid. It would trip the generator every time it went into a different cycle. So I had to part with it and return to the basics, a top loader. I find them second hand to save some money and also because it sits outside in the elements. The washer is powered by a Honda EU 2000 generator. Here is an affiliate link to the newer model. These are amazing little gennies, we also use it to bypass the solar system on our well pump if we have too many overcast days. https://amzn.to/4dZhiId

So with a second hand top loading washer and this little amazing genny, the next step is to add the water. We don't have hot water but the water sitting in the hose gets pretty darn hot during the summer! We currently use a 12v Shurflo RV pump to pressurize any areas that need it. The washing machine needs water pressure. So we run a hose from the pressure pump to the garden where the washer is and attach the hose to the cold water inlet. The hot water line is crimped closed. We add a plant based laundry soap - ECOS. Here is the amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/44dNO63

Then we added a 50 foot swimming pool hose to the grey water pipe. This pipe goes out to different flowering bushes and plants that benefit our pollinators. The photo shown is to our giant rosemary bush. Here is the affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3TlfwYh

The laundry is then hung by hand to dry on my absolutely awesome clothesline that Dan made for me out of recycled materials. It looks like a telephone line with vintage colored glass insulators that shine in the light. We get many compliments on our wash line. :)

]]><![CDATA[Nuc Updates & Local Items Available]]>Sun, 20 Apr 2025 19:56:29 GMThttps://www.monicamking.com/blog/nuc-updates-local-items-available4/29/2025

Some are inquiring on when their nucs will be ready. Please BEE patient.

I will explain the process in which nucleus colonies are created and what happened this year:

Normally it is one of our hives that we pull 5 frames from making a "split". That is not happening this year due to the drought and winds in my valley. Our hives are not building. So I had to go in and take out my queens from last year to install new queens for your nucleus colonies.

I was supposed to have queens every month of the year from my Hawaiian supplier. He had family issues and did not produce any queens. I ordered 50 queens from someone out of Georgia. His father was a friend of my family. I Paid for the queens on March 16th, they were supposed to arrive 03/25.....they did not and that is a very long stressful story. I ordered another 100 queens from a friend of my family that is extremely reliable. Those came in right about the same time as the other 50 finally arrived. With 150 queens now to install.......I press on.

Did I mention the bees, though being stimulated with ultra bee, sugar syrup and even probiotic bee bites are not building? It takes approximately 8 pounds of honey and the correct age of house bees to build 1 pound of wax. I do not have a nectar flow.

Since new queens are in and time is running short I starting removing last years queens and installing the new queens as I mentioned on 4/20 so lets do some math. Time from taking out queen to installing new queen, new queen chewed out or manually released from cage. New queen getting stimulated to start laying eggs, doing inspections to check queen acceptance and laying. I am calling those that had placed their order first. If you do not hear from me by 5/9 please drop a text.

Predictions are a heavy monsoon. Please pray, do a chant, a rain dance anything you can to help.....wash your cars, hang out laundry. The monsoon rains should cause the mesquites to have a second bloom. With wildflowers and non-natives in residential areas your nucleus colonies should build.

However, if you want a refund please file a request. I have people on a waiting list that are hoping you don't want your bees. :)

4/20/2025
Queens have arrived and we are installing them and then checking laying patterns before the nucs go out the door. You will be texted when your nuc(s) are available for pickup. Nuc orders are being filled on a first to order, first to fill basis. Please be patient.

Italian queens are currently available.

Beekeeping Items available:
Excluders - 5 New 10 Frame Plastic
Mann Lake Sideliner Uncapper
Probiotic Bee Bites
Wax Blocks for crafting or adding to foundation

Homestead Items:
Moringa Starts

Please text Monica at 520-240-0532 for more information.

]]><![CDATA[Beekeeping: Feeding Sugar Syrup]]>Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:53:32 GMThttps://www.monicamking.com/blog/beekeeping-feeding-sugar-syrupGoing into Winter, or any times of dearth for that matter, bees may require feeding if not strong and established. A general description of this would be a hive weighing around 100 pounds including equipment (per Dr. Joc Rawls, Phoenix, AZ). Plus a population of at least 25,000 bees. If your hive(s) fit this criteria it is possible to make it to the next NECTAR bloom without feeding. If your hive(s) do not meet this requirement and if you do not feed they will likely starve to death. That is if they do not get robbed out because they become weak.

When feeding syrup be cautious not to put the scent of the syrup right at the entrance. Do not spill any syrup. Do not use any stimulants in the syrup (such as Honey Bee Healthy, etc.). Use Robbing Screens.

If you had stored honey frames in your freezer for future use or have honey that you want to feed your bees I will be addressing this topic soon. I will also be adding a post about the styles of feeders with pros and cons.

USE:

Granulated sugar or white sugar
White sugar, chemically, is pure sucrose. Because nectar is predominantly sucrose (with some fructose, glucose and trace minerals) it is the closest to what mother nature provides to the bees. White sugar, also called granulated sugar or table sugar, is the most similar to nectar that we have available. This should be your number one choice in feeding your bees. Most beekeepers in Arizona feed a ratio of 1:1 as needed no matter the time of year.

OTHER TYPES OF SUGARS, the why's and why nots:

Agave nectar
Agave nectar is a derivative of the plant's core or pina, should not be fed to bees.

Aspartame
Aspartame, sold as Equal ® or Nutrasweet ®, are synthetic sweeteners that are not suitable for bees.

Brown sugar
Brown sugar is white sugar with up to 10% molasses added. The high percentage of molasses in both light and dark brown sugars means it should not be fed to bees.

Cane or beet sugar
Cane and beet sugars are pure sucrose. Sugar beets are a GMO product. Though GMO does not effect the sucrose as it is in the plant proteins.

Coconut and Palm sugar
Coconut and palm sugars are sap sugars high in mineral content and only 70-80% sucrose, and for these reasons should not be fed to bees.

Confectioners sugar
Confectioners sugar, or powdered sugar, cannot be fed to bees as a supplement however it is safe to use as a mite dusting powder or queen cage candy plug. Powdered sugar contains 3% cornstarch which is why it should not be fed on a regular basis but okay to use in special situations.

Demerara sugar
Demerara sugar is another large grain brown sugar. Again, it should not be fed to bees because of the molasses.

Drivert Sugar
Drivert sugar is a dry fondant sugar that has been agglomerated with 8% invert sugar. Invert sugar is a mix of glucose and fructose created by heating pure
sugar (sucrose) with water. In simple terms, it is 92% pure sugar (sucrose) with 8% glucose/fructose in powder form. Some people still will use this option, however, due to the heating of the sugar I do not recommend it as it may have some effects on gut health.

Evaporated cane juice
Evaporated cane juice results in a product with more nutrients than white sugar.
The remaining nutrients can result in dysentery.

High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is often fed to bees in the commercial application. HFCS is made by processing corn which results in a product that is predominantly fructose and dextrose. The corn used to create HFCS is GMO, could contain neonicotinoids, and contains no sucrose.

Maple Syrup
Pure Maple syrup is a tree sap and should not be fed to bees. Other "Maple Syrups" are man made usually using High Fructose Corn Syrup and ingredients not digestible by honeybees.

Organic sugar
Although organic sugar can be fed, a 2009 study showed that organic sugar has a higher ash content than cane sugar (0.03% ash in cane sugar vs 0.20% ash in organic). Bees are able to digest the lower ash sugar more easily. Thus organic sugar should NOT be a first choice when considering gut health.

Raw sugar
Raw sugar is minimally or unrefined white sugar, which has a small amount of molasses to give it the golden color. Raw sugar is unlikely to have enough molasses to negatively impact bees and is safe to feed. Due to the higher cost than white sugar, without any particular benefit, white sugar should still be the first choice.

Saccharin
Saccharin, commonly known as Sweet 'N Low ® is a synthetic derivative of coal tar. It should go without saying, it should not be fed to bees.

Stevia
Although stevia tastes sweet, it is a glycoside byproduct of pressing the leaves. Since it contains no sucrose, it is not appropriate for bees.

Sucralose
Sucralose, such as Splenda ® , is a chlorinated from of sucrose, where the chemical structure is changed. It is very different than sucrose, and should never be fed to bees.

Sugar cubes
Sugar cubes are pure granulated sugar, with no caking agents. Therefore, they can be fed to bees.

Turbinado sugar
Turbinado sugar is a large grain, brown colored sugar. As with many other sugars, the brown color is from molasses, and should not be fed to bees.

Xylitol
Xylitol, sorbitol, and Mannitol are sugar alcohols, and which are poisonous and not to be fed to bees.

Sources:
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/data/assets/p
sugar-to-honey-bees.pdf
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/fat-bees-
part-3/
https://www.beeculture.com/sugar-for-
bees/
https://honeybeesuite.com/is-organic-
sugar-better-for-bees/
http://bee-quick.com/reprints/sugar.pdf

]]><![CDATA[Hollow Tree Hive Cat Furniture]]>Tue, 12 Nov 2024 14:19:06 GMThttps://www.monicamking.com/blog/hollow-tree-hive-cat-furnitureOr at least that's what the cat's think it is.....I was going to use this tree that we did a cut out from for a succulent planter in the garden. The cat's had other ideas for it, and of course, what ever our kitties want they get. :)

]]><![CDATA["Hola"]]>Tue, 12 Nov 2024 14:13:58 GMThttps://www.monicamking.com/blog/hola

In her younger years our Neapolitan / Fila Brasileiro Mastiff would use the top of vehicles for look out towers.

]]><![CDATA[Guest Rooms - The Jackalope Den]]>Wed, 30 Oct 2024 02:03:26 GMThttps://www.monicamking.com/blog/guest-rooms-the-jackalope-den

]]><![CDATA[Robbing Screens]]>Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:57:49 GMThttps://www.monicamking.com/blog/robbing-screensClick on the following link to get directed to the Amazon page to purchase the robbing screen:

https://amzn.to/3NHp9Oo Robbing Screen

The above affiliate link is to products we personally use in our apiary and on the homestead. "We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites."

]]><![CDATA[Hummingbird Feeder Bee "Swarms"]]>Thu, 17 Oct 2024 16:52:38 GMThttps://www.monicamking.com/blog/hummingbird-feeder-swarmsPeriods of flower "dearth" bring honeybees to hummingbird feeders. To move or remove the feeders do so at night (after dusk) when the honeybees go back to their colony. Honeybees can forage an average of three miles, sometimes more in extreme conditions. Honeybees at your hummingbird feeder does not mean you have a colony close by, though it is possible.

Try "bee proof" feeders and/or inserts like those in the affiliate links below. If the bees tongue can reach the syrup they will continue to come until the syrup is gone. You want to create a hummingbird feeder, not a bee feeder. Think how long the tongue of a hummingbird is. Also, please consider the hummingbirds need to migrate, so you might think of the time of year and if it is their natural time to leave. Pulling your feeder may prevent some unnecessary deaths if they get caught in freezing temperatures.

Notice no bees on my feeder! I have over 100 hives in a three mile radius!

Click on these links to purchase Feeder or inserts

The above affiliate links are to products we personally use in our apiary and on the homestead. "We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites."

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