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Phillip Cairns

@phillipcairns

Beekeeping on the island Newfoundland since 2010. mudsongs.org

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07.02.2024
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Latest posts by Phillip Cairns @phillipcairns

Buzz off! ๐Ÿ˜œ

23.02.2026 15:52 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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#nlwx mudsongs.org #beekeeping

23.02.2026 15:51 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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#nlwx #beekeeping #newfoundland

23.02.2026 01:20 ๐Ÿ‘ 5 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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A thermal image from one of my hives in 2023. I wonder where the bees are clustering.

#newfoundland #beekeeping #ThermalImaging

11.01.2026 13:17 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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My revolutionary method to unclog dead bees from a mouse guard if you don't happen to have a pair of tweezers handy.

#beekeepingtips

20.12.2025 13:38 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Winter, Bring It On!
Winter, Bring It On! YouTube video by Phillip Cairns

Not much going on in my little beeyard because my bees are tucked away and ready for winter.

mudsongs.org #beekeeping #nlwx

youtu.be/HOLsoh3cq3I

08.12.2025 00:56 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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I posted a #video at mudsongs.org that shows why I think the "Bee Cozy" hive wrap might be a good fit for my standard Langstroth condensing hives on the east coast of #Newfoundland. (Not a paid endorsement.)
#beekeeping

11.11.2025 12:27 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Curiosity and Beekeeping
Curiosity and Beekeeping YouTube video by Phillip Cairns

youtu.be/f3MRZQyGlXw

#beekeeping #video

07.10.2025 21:27 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Oops.

mudsongs.org #beekeeping

03.10.2025 11:33 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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These bees are just about ready for winter.

mudsongs.org #beekeeping

28.09.2025 20:18 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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One way to clean up with wet frames.

mudsongs.org #beekeeping

26.09.2025 15:05 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Here's the update. The wax cappings aren't completely dry yet, but they're not wet.

#beekeeping in #newfoundland

17.09.2025 20:02 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Wet wax cappings after extracting some honey left outside this morning for the bees to clean up. Stay tuned to this evening's big update when I expect to find nothing left by dry flakes of wax.

#beekeeping in #newfoundland

17.09.2025 13:59 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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For people who lack the time, the money or the skill to make their own robbing screens, which can come in handy at times, there are "natural" alternatives that can get the job done too.

#beekeeping

15.09.2025 10:29 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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My bees aren't exactly in robbing mode... yet. But it wouldn't take much.

#beekeeping

14.09.2025 19:29 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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I pulled 5 medium supers/boxes of honey off this tall hive yesterday (3.5 deep supers).

mudsongs.org #beekeeping

07.09.2025 14:24 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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I use wooden inner covers only for feeding purposes now. But when I do use them, I grab my solid wax-dipped inner covers because... they're better. Just one man's opinion.

mudsongs.org #beekeeping

04.09.2025 16:21 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Medium Cap and Ladder Feeder Perfect for those that use mediums as brood chambers. 6-1/4" feeder, 3" wide and holds 1 gallon of syrup.

I found a Canadian supplier too (I had no idea these things existed).

www.countryfields.ca/products/med...

04.09.2025 10:01 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I didn't know they're made for mediums too. I have doubts that they're easily available in Canada, but I'll look.

03.09.2025 13:56 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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I don't use frame feeders anymore. But I would if they were available for mediums supers. I think they're excellent for nucs.

mudsongs.org #beekeeping

03.09.2025 12:35 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Verdict on "Condensing" Hives (Aug 31, 2025)
Verdict on "Condensing" Hives (Aug 31, 2025) YouTube video by Phillip Cairns

"Condensing" hives work for #Newfoundland #beekeeping. Who woulda thunk it?

youtu.be/VMIpNZX6HxM

02.09.2025 16:26 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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New beekeepers should avoid insert feeders for starting up their nucs.

mudsongs.org #beekeeping

02.09.2025 10:13 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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A left some honey frames out (oops) and the bees began to clean them out in no time.

mudsongs.org #beekeeping

27.08.2025 20:12 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Despite the drought-like conditions, a second nectar flow seems well on its way in Flatrock. My bees have shifted into honey-making mode. I'd say their instincts are telling them this is their last shot for making honey this year, so let's give 'er.

mudsongs.org #beekeeping #newfoundland #nlwx

15.08.2025 12:37 ๐Ÿ‘ 8 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Hardwood trees, oaks, maple, dogberry, in full bloom, grass and wildflowers.

Hardwood trees, oaks, maple, dogberry, in full bloom, grass and wildflowers.

A quiet forest of hardwood trees that was habitat for pollinators, birds and other animals was ploughed under to create the current grounds for the #CanadaGames2025 in St. John's, #Newfoundland. These photos show what some of it looked like when I created an apiary there in 2022.

#beekeeping

02.08.2025 15:45 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Here's a hive inspection that, along with other signs I've noticed in my other colonies, kind of makes me think we're in for a nectar dearth. We need rain in a bad way ASAP.

mudsongs.org #beekeeping #nlwx

28.07.2025 17:59 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A Botched Newspaper Combine - Part 2 (July 13, 2025)
A Botched Newspaper Combine - Part 2 (July 13, 2025) YouTube video by Phillip Cairns

youtu.be/CK8Y4EpOSrg?...

Checking to see if the queen from a botched newspaper combine is still alive.

mudsongs.org #beekeeping

14.07.2025 18:17 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Checking to see if a queen cup has an egg in it.

mudsongs.org #beekeeping

25.06.2025 20:48 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Can you tell where the bees patched up some broken comb?

#beekeeping

22.06.2025 19:52 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Here's a blurry shot of fresh and capped worker brood on a foundationless frame. I found so many frames like this today, I didn't have to think too long about what I had to do, which follows what is pretty much my #1 rule in #beekeeping (if there are any rules): "Give the queen room to lay."

21.06.2025 16:23 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0